sportives

[dodgy knees]

hi all
M jst wondering what other people think on the subject?? why is timing at sportive events always wrong, as they always take into account ur time at feedstops!! the only one that ive done that stops and starts as u enter and exit the stop is cheshire cat!!! why dont all timing companies do the same. i know most people have their own computers and will take their timings off these, but if u paying for event should,nt they be getting it right!!

 

[Banjo]

Only ever done one sportive,The Merlin ride in Carmarthenshire. The clock started when you started and your time was taken riding through a gate at the end with the clock above. It made no allowance for stops at feedsatations, you could stop as long as you wanted but the clock kept ticking.

I didnt know that some stopped the clock at the feedstations, I know that some riders dont stop at feedstations, just eat and drink on the hoof to improve their time.

I am not sure I would want the clock to stop at feedstations,part of the skill is balancing the time lost with the energy gained .

 

[Tim Bennet.]

The time for a sportive includes all stops, in the same way they would be included in any other running or cycling event. I could beat the world marathon time if a ran it as a series of 26 mile long runs with an un-timed day off in between!

I don't think you should expect the timing company to help you massage your time so as to increase bragging rights. That's bit's up to you and your conscience.

 

[Fiona N]

I don't think you should expect the timing company to help you massage your time so as to increase bragging rights. That's bit's up to you and your conscience.

Exactly

 

[dodgy knees]

the cheshire cat is one i know of run by kilo to go they run a few sportives through out the year,so yhey mite do it 4 all of them( but not really sure)

 

[Kestevan]

The KTG sportives stop the clock at each feedstation, but only to give a breakdown between stops.

If you look at the results pages they give the interim time for each section, plus the time spent in each feedstop, and two finish times - overall time taken and "riding" time.

It seems a pretty comprehensive system, and allows you to see your stage/overall times without having to mess about with stopwatches yourself.

Of course, which time you quote for bragging purposes is entirely up to you...... personally I think the overall time is the more important for reasons mentioned above.

 

[Fran143]

Done a good few sportives now, none of which have taken into account "feed station" times but hey ho it's not a race and my bike computer gives me bum on seat timing.

hi all
M jst wondering what other people think on the subject?? why is timing at sportive events always wrong, as they always take into account ur time at feedstops!! the only one that ive done that stops and starts as u enter and exit the stop is cheshire cat!!! why dont all timing companies do the same. i know most people have their own computers and will take their timings off these, but if u paying for event should,nt they be getting it right!!

 

[PK99]

hi all
M jst wondering what other people think on the subject?? why is timing at sportive events always wrong, as they always take into account ur time at feedstops!! the only one that ive done that stops and starts as u enter and exit the stop is cheshire cat!!! why dont all timing companies do the same. i know most people have their own computers and will take their timings off these, but if u paying for event should,nt they be getting it right!!

The correct time is lapsed time not rolling time.





someone taking 2 mins to fill bottles and moving on gets a better time that someone chilling and refueling and recovering for 20!

 

[dodgy knees]

its not about massaging or bragging rites like said above, a stop for 2 mins at feedstations to top up bottles should be taken into account. as for me i take the time of my computer as i am only racing against myself, so no bragging or massaging the times as would only b cheating myself.

 

[zaid]

I did the Maratona Dles Dolomites in Italy this year and was amazed at how well it was organised. Split timings all along the way plus overall standings etc all text to your phone within seconds of passing the points and finish line. They even sent info fuel strategies and emergency numbers and start assembly locations before the race.

 

[jimboalee]

Sportives are for cyclists who reckon they are too good for Audax.

Cheshire Cat 67 miler.

735 entered the event. 556 posted a time. 15 rode the whole distance without stopping.

So that's 2% of the cyclists who entered the Cheshire Cat can legitimately claim to be superior to AUK riders.

 

[Fiona N]

I did the Maratona Dles Dolomites in Italy this year and was amazed at how well it was organised. Split timings all along the way plus overall standings etc all text to your phone within seconds of passing the points and finish line. They even sent info fuel strategies and emergency numbers and start assembly locations before the race.

Well they've been running it (and other similar events) for a bit longer than most UK sportives - you know what they say 'Practise makes perfect'

 

[Threelionsbrian]

Now if it was because a lot of time was lost to queues at feedstops i would slightly understand. Stops aren't compulsory though and why punish those who self cater.

I was continuously passed on the tour ride by 3/4 groups at least who had stopped then caught me again ( i was having a bad one).

 

[zaid]

Well they've been running it (and other similar events) for a bit longer than most UK sportives - you know what they say 'Practise makes perfect'

Very true. I was just in awe at how well they looked after us.

 

[dodgy knees]

here some people go sportives v audax!!! who cares as long as who does which ever, enjoys what they do!!