Thinking of doing my first sportive

[junkie_ball]

Ok, so thinking of doing my first sportive but nervous about whether I can make it. I currently do 30-40 miles regularly once a week around the same area of the sportive and maybe 1-2 rides of between 10-20 miles a week and think i can do the 62 mile route if not the 90 mile route. The event is in August so do you guys think thats enough time to increase my distance for the day?

I know a sportive is not a race but on the day you always want to push yourself mentally and physically. I have entered numerous running events but due to reoccurring injuries i have moved to bikes. But on race day the tempo is always faster than when you train and with far larger distances than the half marathons i ran am concerned i my burn out before the end. I am still newbie when it comes to entering bike events and looking to learn from the experienced cyclist on this site.

This is the link to the sportive i am contemplating http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle-mendips-sportive/#video

 

[MikeG]

Yep. That's plenty of time to prepare.

The more time you can spend in the saddle between now and August, the better.

 

[HLaB]

Don't think, just do, sounds like you are well on the route to be being prepared

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

You'll be fine, just pace yourself - there is no need for you to speed off, but the benefit of riding in a group will result in you being able to go faster and expend less effort. Enjoy.

 

[junkie_ball]

Thanks for the positive support guys much appreciated. Do you have any advise about getting the motivation to do the longer training rides alone? I have a training partner but due to his work patterns he can only ride with me on the longer distance ride on a weekend once a fortnight at best and i finish to late in the evening to do much more than 20 miles a night. Have been on the lookout for other training partners but haven't found any regular ones?

 

[junkie_ball]

Ok so i've taken the plunge and entered my first ever sportive. Hope the ride is gentle on me.

 

[Nicol]

i had the same concerns as you at the beginning of the year. I signed up for the local club RAD run (64 miles) with 8 weeks to go which gave me a target to aim for. Gradual build up of mileage before hand and on the day you'll be running on adrenalin, and get pulled along with other riders. You'll do it no bother if you've been doing regular runs. Try and get as close to the sportive mileage as you can manage in your final training runs. Enjoy.

 

[Andy Jeffery]

Do it. I did my first 60 miler after just 6 weeks back in the saddle after a big op. Loved it and doing the mega Meon on the 27th. Just enjoy the day and enjoy meeting all those like minded cyclists just like you!

 

[buttonnine]

Totally agree with all the other replies and glad to see you've taken the plunge, did my first sportive in June and loved it, its about the ride not the time! and you can always break it down in to three chunks with the feed stations as your targets, worked for me!

 

[TomSH27]

Ok, so thinking of doing my first sportive but nervous about whether I can make it. I currently do 30-40 miles regularly once a week around the same area of the sportive and maybe 1-2 rides of between 10-20 miles a week and think i can do the 62 mile route if not the 90 mile route. The event is in August so do you guys think thats enough time to increase my distance for the day?

I know a sportive is not a race but on the day you always want to push yourself mentally and physically. I have entered numerous running events but due to reoccurring injuries i have moved to bikes. But on race day the tempo is always faster than when you train and with far larger distances than the half marathons i ran am concerned i my burn out before the end. I am still newbie when it comes to entering bike events and looking to learn from the experienced cyclist on this site.

This is the link to the sportive i am contemplating http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle-mendips-sportive/#video

You can do it and probably surprise yourself at the same time. I moved into cycling for exact same reasons, I developed a chronic recurring injury and needed to take a sabbatical from running. You'll know as a runner that plenty of shorter and quick runs are good for building up stamina in prep for an event, and likewise the importance of tapering so as not to fatigue yourself. I am not experienced enough to comment on the cycling events but I imagine it would be similar in as much as you don't need to be riding 90 regular to do it on the day.

 

[TomSH27]

Thanks for the positive support guys much appreciated. Do you have any advise about getting the motivation to do the longer training rides alone? I have a training partner but due to his work patterns he can only ride with me on the longer distance ride on a weekend once a fortnight at best and i finish to late in the evening to do much more than 20 miles a night. Have been on the lookout for other training partners but haven't found any regular ones?

Get up early on a weekend and go, you don't a partner.

 

[junkie_ball]

Thanks for the the support guys. Training not been going to well as had to take two weeks off due to illness and only managed to get back on the bike last week and did a 30 miler as part of a charity event. Whilst the ride was slow as we were supporting young adults with learning difficulties it was great to be back in the saddle and felt fine at the end of it. Mind you may have helped that at the end was a bbq and refreshment on the beach. (Although didn't enjoy cleaning the bike after) Sure i will plod through the sportive now its only a few weeks away.

 

[junkie_ball]

Ok so first sportive complete in somewhat wild weather. Oh boy was it hilly but in the plus side apart from being tired from the early start and the odd ache i feel good. Thanks for all the encouragement guys much appreciated.

 

[junkie_ball]

Its strange was worried about doing this first one now i have i'm already looking for the next one to sign up for! Think i have the bug!