Sportive question

[Raging Squirrel]

Would it be unforgivable to think about maybe doing a shorter distance sportive on a hybrid?

I'm not thinking of doing one soon, maybe aim for March 2013 when the weather and my fitness picks up a bit.

I don't want to go to one and be laughed at!

 

[DCLane]

Nope - the choice of bike's irrelevant.

I've seen them done on MTB's, hybrids and single speed bikes.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I dont even know what a sportive is, got ideas running around in my head mind, but no clear clue as to what one is, guess I should google it.

 

[Raging Squirrel]

I think it's a kind of supported race / ride where there's no pressure to actually come first? With a marshal team en route and feed / watering stations. You usually have to pay a fee but like I said I think you can do it to race or just for fun. Seen some photo's in one of the bike mags where there's a guy pushing his bike up a hill lol.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

That was me when I went to London some years back. if I do it again (which is unlikely) I want to be able to ride it all.

 

[DCLane]

Essentially there's two variants:

Audax; you have a distance and some directions on paper/gps, with checkpoints and fastest/slowest speeds. Otherwise you're on your own. The cost is usually minimal Have a look at Audax UK: http://www.aukweb.net/ Vernon on here does Audaxes on a hybrid. Peak Audax is the closest organiser to you I think; http://www.highergrangefarm.fsnet.co.uk/PeakAudax/calendar.htm

Sportive; organised event with signage, mechanical support, feed stations, often with timing chips, etc. These cost more (£10-60) but have more support. It's not a race, although many treat it as such

It's personal preference. I've done a couple of Audaxes and about 6 sportives this year, plus one last year (Wakefield Bikeathon 26 miles). I've another 3 sportives planned for this year; Otley Sportive this Saturday, Etape Pennines (Oct) and Chemo Classic (Nov) plus the BHF charity Manchester-Blackpool overnight ride.

The Road Rides, Audax and Sportives section of the forum will give you a start: http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/road-rides-audax-and-sportives.45/

Alternatively, there are a number of informal rides organised on here - again, check the http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/cc-informal-rides-and-events.47/ sub-forum.

Pick an event and give it a try!

 

[Crankarm]

You could ride a unicycle if that was what you wanted.

 

[Rob3rt]

Ride what you want, no-one else will really give a toss. On the recent Manchester 100, there were people on all sorts of bikes, some on cheapo MTB's, others on good MTB's, many on Hybrids, lots on road bikes, a few on fixed wheel bikes, plenty of weekend warriors on their £5k bikes and full team kit rolling around at about 15-16mph on the flat (which if anything is greater fuel for a laugh than riding something like a hybrid if you are inclined to have a laugh at others expense) to club chaingang's tearing up the tarmac! There was even an old man with a load of shopping bags hung on his handlebars.

I dont even know what a sportive is, got ideas running around in my head mind, but no clear clue as to what one is, guess I should google it.

A sportive is an organised ride dressed up as a race!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

So the W.N.B.R. is a sportive then.

 

[jimbo notts]

I fancy tackling my first sportive next yr in April never done one an only started biking seriously the last 3 months any advice for winter training tips

 

[DCLane]

I fancy tackling my first sportive next yr in April never done one an only started biking seriously the last 3 months any advice for winter training tips

Find a sportive(s) you're interested in.
Up the miles
Repeat above

Seriously, it's about ensuring you keep riding over the winter - see the Bikes, Accessories, Kit & Clothing for threads on winter clothing.

 

[Rob500]

Would it be unforgivable to think about maybe doing a shorter distance sportive on a hybrid?

I'm not thinking of doing one soon, maybe aim for March 2013 when the weather and my fitness picks up a bit.

I don't want to go to one and be laughed at!

You won't be laughed at. During last months Lap the Lough Sportive I saw hybrids, mountain bikes, tandems and one of those where the guy was almost laying on his back - what are they called? Recumbent?

 

[CopperCyclist]

At my last (and thus far, only) sportive I saw one tandem, one hybrid and one cyclocross (me!). Everyone else was on road bikes, or at least bikes indistinguishable from road bikes as they fly past! (I.e. drop bars, 700cc wheels, skinny tyres)

That said, there were no funny looks, no pressure and I'd happily turn up to one on anything! Go for it, you'll enjoy it