sportive or not?

[alci4]

cheers guys

did 31 miles on sunday with a few mates and got a few pointers (saddle raised amongst other things which stopped my knee aching on this ride which it had on a previous ride e.t.c)

nice run round brum and dudley

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/139870139

so just need to get my miles up now (and my fitness)

i am really enjoying getting out on the road bike although 30 miles in just over 2 hours i felt i wasnt far off having enough lol

 

[jugglingphil]

When I've entered a sportive in the past it's to set a goal. If you know you have to go out and get some miles in, you're more likely to do so.

You can do 90 miles in April. The more miles you put in before, building the distance slowly, will increase the amount you enjoy the ride on the day.

 

[172traindriver]

'Marginal Gains' as Mr Brailsford is always quoted as saying. Don't worry in a couple of weeks you will probably say 'in just over 3 HOURS I felt I wasn't far off having enough'. Steady is the key don't overdo it, or you will start regarding it as something of a chore that you don't want to do.

 

[BrumJim]

cheers guys

did 31 miles on sunday with a few mates and got a few pointers (saddle raised amongst other things which stopped my knee aching on this ride which it had on a previous ride e.t.c)

nice run round brum and dudley

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/139870139

so just need to get my miles up now (and my fitness)

i am really enjoying getting out on the road bike although 30 miles in just over 2 hours i felt i wasnt far off having enough lol

Looking good. 15 mile/h is a perfectly reasonable average speed for a Sportive. Some do it in less than 10, but I'd rather not. Did you do it non-stop?

Try the countryside next time - some great views and quieter roads.

 

[alci4]

Looking good. 15 mile/h is a perfectly reasonable average speed for a Sportive. Some do it in less than 10, but I'd rather not. Did you do it non-stop?

Try the countryside next time - some great views and quieter roads.

yes m8 straight through only stopping at the odd red light.

i think they went that route for my benefit rather than the direction of clent where they normally ride. Train of thought being if i needed to bail the loop round brum made it an easier ride home for me than bailing in kiddy

Plus riding a mountain bike for the last year or two when on roads i have tried to avoid hills which is somthing i am trying to get out of gotta start climbing more so gotta get hit romsley soon

not too many hills on the route we did

Elevation Gain: 1,154 ft
Elevation Loss: 1,162 ft

 

[172traindriver]

Get down to Clent and then turn left at the pub up Church Avenue and then up St Kenelms Pass, down into Romsley and then up that hill to the Manchester Inn. Not that far from me and if I am feeling like some hill work that is where I head and then across the Waseley hills to the Lickeys and up Rose Hill. I know we haven't got mountains in the UK but if you want to get some good sharp short hills in we can make something up.

 

[BrumJim]

Me too. Romsley from Halesowen, Rose Hill and St Kenelm's pass is the "three big hills" route for when everyone is feeling strong, or I have a Sportive/Audax coming up. Then top it off with Muclow Hill after a rest. Legs know when I have done this one.

 

[HLaB]

Alci, the sportives I have done have been hillier but you are not far off the mark so why not go for it, good luck :-)

 

[alci4]

cheers guys

just another quick question

should i be going for more shoret rides (E.G. 3 or 4 25-30 milers a week) or less longer rides (E.G. 1 or 2 40 or 50 milers a week)?

already tring to make some lifestyle changes to get fitter like only drinking weekends unlike the 6 or 7 cans a night i have been drinking and trying to eat healthier (cutting out virtually all fat and sugar)but if i'm doing this i may as well try and get the riding right as well

thanks for all your ongoing advice guys

 

[BrumJim]

In the long term, a combination of both - long rides to build up stamina, and short rides to build up speed and fitness.

However, less longer rides are needed for a month up to the event. There will be muscles that will hurt after longer rides that don't even get felt after short rides, for example neck and shoulders, groin. Best to get those muscles aware of what you are getting them into, rather than improving general fitness on short rides.

 

[alci4]

okay as well as my 7 mile commute and doing my walk (i am a postman) i decided to have a ride round frankley beaches and romsley

god it slowed me down some

i dont think i am built for hills lol

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140825579

climb up to romsley i had to stop a few times but i guess it was worth it flying past the sun doing a mad speed lol

 

[BrumJim]

No shame in going slower on that route. Romsley is the big one in our area.

Remember that you need to fit in a big hill before the end of your route. Looks good there - a good few miles between killing your legs and getting home.

Hills is a skill, but also related to weight. Attack them slowly. Don't get out of breath until you can see the summit, and judge your effort accordingly. You want to crest with your breathing and heart going as hard and fast as you want to let them, but don't let that happen until you are almost there.

 

[172traindriver]

Good on yer!!!! Not far from me then. Those hills can be a bit of a pain, but no pain no gain and all that!!!! Keep at it buddy, it will do you the world of good in the long run. I know exactly how you feel.
As BrumJim says hills are an art and hill climbers seem to be about 7st ringing wet. I struggle with them, so just take it steady otherwise you will just blow. Drop it into the lowest gear sit yourself comfortably and spin it up at your own pace.

 

[alci4]

cheers lads

will be trying to make that a regular route to try and improve plus adding some more distance

was very windy and drizzling rain as well so hopefully will enjoy it and find it easier next ride out

 

[alci4]

k so did the frankley romsley ride again that i did wen

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/141293605

average speed up nearly 1 mph but more importantly i didnt stop on any hills (took drink stops for a few mins at the top of some) but no stopping halfway