First Sportive
Discussion
I've signed up to do my first Sportive in June.
At 60 miles it isn't the longest Sportive ever, but it will be my longest ride to date. It looks to be quite challenging terrain though, as there is over 7000ft of climbing, which makes it more elevation per mile than the Fred Whitton I've just been reading about! (a well done to everyone who managed that... maybe next year I'll have a go)
Any tips or stuff I should know about before I set off? Other than not going out too fast at the start?
Is drafting tolerated or a faux-pas? Is stopping for a wee in the hedge a rite of passage or frowned upon behaviour? Is it better to keep grinding up the 1 in 3 hills or just give up early and push?
At 60 miles it isn't the longest Sportive ever, but it will be my longest ride to date. It looks to be quite challenging terrain though, as there is over 7000ft of climbing, which makes it more elevation per mile than the Fred Whitton I've just been reading about! (a well done to everyone who managed that... maybe next year I'll have a go)
Any tips or stuff I should know about before I set off? Other than not going out too fast at the start?
Is drafting tolerated or a faux-pas? Is stopping for a wee in the hedge a rite of passage or frowned upon behaviour? Is it better to keep grinding up the 1 in 3 hills or just give up early and push?
Tailor your training to build up to that distance/elevation - and learn how your body reacts and needs fuel.
Everyone is different about the levels they eat/drink.
Elevation will be a bigger factor so practice that, and replicate the typical gradients. 100km & 2000m (in new money) is a decent shift, get used to doing lumpy rides.
Also learn what fuel/food you like and can your body can take. 100km & 2000m will be 4-5hrs? More if gradients are steep. 5 hours plus of gels will likely give you gut rot. Vary your food, take advantage of feed stations and in particular 'proper' food, especially savoury. You will quickly get bored of sweet foods. I know which bars, from which manufacturers I enjoy eating, and can eat without building a horrid paste at the back of my throat. Ditto gels, I know which gels my body likes, ones that don't taste synthetic (I use the OTE Super Berry).
My rule for 6hr+ rides is to take a gel after exactly on hour, then eat half a bar at 1hr30, other half at 2hrs. Gel at 3hrs and repeat. Any food stops add to that.
Likewise, plan fluids. Work out how your body processes fluid. How much you drink to sustain longevity of performance.
Finally, break the ride into psychological chunks. It will be as much a battle of the mind as the body. First 50km, first 1000m, set milestones. Work out where feed stops are, count down to those. Likewise climbing milestones, when you've done over 50% of the climbing...etc etc.
You'll get there and enjoy....as long as you don't turn up without the knowledge of what is likely to happen.
Everyone is different about the levels they eat/drink.
Elevation will be a bigger factor so practice that, and replicate the typical gradients. 100km & 2000m (in new money) is a decent shift, get used to doing lumpy rides.
Also learn what fuel/food you like and can your body can take. 100km & 2000m will be 4-5hrs? More if gradients are steep. 5 hours plus of gels will likely give you gut rot. Vary your food, take advantage of feed stations and in particular 'proper' food, especially savoury. You will quickly get bored of sweet foods. I know which bars, from which manufacturers I enjoy eating, and can eat without building a horrid paste at the back of my throat. Ditto gels, I know which gels my body likes, ones that don't taste synthetic (I use the OTE Super Berry).
My rule for 6hr+ rides is to take a gel after exactly on hour, then eat half a bar at 1hr30, other half at 2hrs. Gel at 3hrs and repeat. Any food stops add to that.
Likewise, plan fluids. Work out how your body processes fluid. How much you drink to sustain longevity of performance.
Finally, break the ride into psychological chunks. It will be as much a battle of the mind as the body. First 50km, first 1000m, set milestones. Work out where feed stops are, count down to those. Likewise climbing milestones, when you've done over 50% of the climbing...etc etc.
You'll get there and enjoy....as long as you don't turn up without the knowledge of what is likely to happen.
Sounds like there's some nasty climbs? make sure your gearing is suitable- get a bigger cassette fitted if possible? Not sure what pedals you use but walking up hills in road cleats is not a fun activity.
If you're not used to riding in groups then be careful around others, you see some dodgy riding in sportives. Don't follow others too closely as some people re unpredictable and can't hold a line, and can restrict visibility up the road. Have a read up about hand signals for potholes, keep left/right etc. which are useful in a group and make life a bit safer for everyone.
Great target event though, have a great ride
If you're not used to riding in groups then be careful around others, you see some dodgy riding in sportives. Don't follow others too closely as some people re unpredictable and can't hold a line, and can restrict visibility up the road. Have a read up about hand signals for potholes, keep left/right etc. which are useful in a group and make life a bit safer for everyone.
Great target event though, have a great ride
Harpoon said:
What's the event?
Its called the Smuggler, goes around North Devon and Exmoor including Lynton and Lynmouth,For anyone interested, here is the Strava map of the route https://www.strava.com/routes/3072109952475258136
Edited by boyse7en on Wednesday 10th May 11:52
boyse7en said:
Its called the Smuggler, goes around North Devon and Exmoor including Lynton and Lynmouth,
For anyone interested, here is the Strava map of the route https://www.strava.com/routes/3072109952475258136
Ah nice, did a similar route a couple of years ago but from Lynmouth went up Countisbury hill, down Porlock toll road then up Dunkery Beacon.For anyone interested, here is the Strava map of the route https://www.strava.com/routes/3072109952475258136
Edited by boyse7en on Wednesday 10th May 11:52
The road over the moors from Simonsbath is fantastic with a great descent at the end down into the valley.
The section west of Lynton has some pretty steep sections and the road surface can be a bit rough. Would recommend at least 28mm tyres.
I did it all with a 11-28 cassette but I was wrecked afterwards!
https://www.strava.com/activities/5434344203
Gorgeous part of the world though!
Edited by lufbramatt on Wednesday 10th May 12:32
Thats decent elevation for a 60 miler. Advice ...
Don't go off to hard (you probably will anyway)
Ride efficiently, draft where poss, try not to surge on uphills as you will need those muscles for when you're climbing
Eat regulary, without going too scientific, try and eat at least once per hour - a mix of food which you can tollerate is advise, not 'just' energy bars. If you're taking gels, make sure you drink plenty of water with them, otherwise you will need to stop for a Tom Dumoulin
If you blow up at 40- 50 miles, you will finish ... you will not die
Good luck ... an above all, enjoy the experience.
Don't go off to hard (you probably will anyway)
Ride efficiently, draft where poss, try not to surge on uphills as you will need those muscles for when you're climbing
Eat regulary, without going too scientific, try and eat at least once per hour - a mix of food which you can tollerate is advise, not 'just' energy bars. If you're taking gels, make sure you drink plenty of water with them, otherwise you will need to stop for a Tom Dumoulin
If you blow up at 40- 50 miles, you will finish ... you will not die
Good luck ... an above all, enjoy the experience.
snotrag said:
eat, drink, eat and drink more
I would 100% echo this. I realised after a lot of cycling and triathlons that the trick is to just keep really well fueled. Don't overthink it, but always be eating or snacking on something and you'll be fine. So much of cycling I realised too is about technique, getting the gear and cadence right - that's hard to learn as it takes a lot of time.
You'll probably be middle of the pack. There will be people on mountain bikes, people who are doing it for fun and never cycle, plus really strong people
Tips from me:
Really good breakfast. Usually I have a big bowl of porridge with banana on top and a bit of jam. Plus a bagel.
On the bike I will have some cliff bars, gels, a banana or flapjack. I often don't eat much of these as the feed stations are often quite good
I'd take at least two tubes and some self adhesive patches. A tyre boot may also be useful if you get a bigger tear in the tyre carcass. A quicklink for the chain worth considering too.
I supported some guys from our club on Chase the Sun in 2021 (boot full of tools, drinks and food) and I was amazed how little some people were carrying for a 200+ mile ride. I stopped to help one guy (a random bloke not from our club) who had punctured after about 15 miles and his only spare tube had a hole in it. Unfortunately he had fancy 80mm deep rims so none of the tubes I had would fit but managed to patch his old tube. All the gear no idea.
Wouldn't worry too much there will be other people there and the event may have mechanical support. Make sure you have all the relevant phone numbers and a credit card with you. ID, next of kin contact details with you printed out too just in case.
I supported some guys from our club on Chase the Sun in 2021 (boot full of tools, drinks and food) and I was amazed how little some people were carrying for a 200+ mile ride. I stopped to help one guy (a random bloke not from our club) who had punctured after about 15 miles and his only spare tube had a hole in it. Unfortunately he had fancy 80mm deep rims so none of the tubes I had would fit but managed to patch his old tube. All the gear no idea.
Wouldn't worry too much there will be other people there and the event may have mechanical support. Make sure you have all the relevant phone numbers and a credit card with you. ID, next of kin contact details with you printed out too just in case.
Edited by lufbramatt on Wednesday 10th May 17:08
Echoing others but personally, I would take a gel every 20-30 minutes and drink a lot - always take what you can from feeding stations. If not a gel, be munching something every 20min even if its just half a bar or a bit of rice cake.
Draft as much as you can. Careful on any very steep climbs - other riders who can't get up will stop suddenly and could be a hazard. A friend of mine was doing the Fred and some bloke knocked her off when he wobbled and came off and her rear derailleur was damaged, ending her ride.
Do the efforts you know you can do if it is your first time so that you pace yourself properly. I would also agree with the poster who recommended 28mm tyres if you can, I find them less fatiguing than 25mm. Especially tubeless because then you can run at much lower pressures and soak up the tarmac's bumps.
11-32 or 11-34 cassette if you're going for the ideal set-up.
Good luck and enjoy it!
Draft as much as you can. Careful on any very steep climbs - other riders who can't get up will stop suddenly and could be a hazard. A friend of mine was doing the Fred and some bloke knocked her off when he wobbled and came off and her rear derailleur was damaged, ending her ride.
Do the efforts you know you can do if it is your first time so that you pace yourself properly. I would also agree with the poster who recommended 28mm tyres if you can, I find them less fatiguing than 25mm. Especially tubeless because then you can run at much lower pressures and soak up the tarmac's bumps.
11-32 or 11-34 cassette if you're going for the ideal set-up.
Good luck and enjoy it!
Edited by PastelNata on Thursday 11th May 08:48
Seems like there are two feed stations on the route, at roughly 20 miles and 40 miles. As a guess, theat 1:30 between stations, so i need four snacks per leg. Hope it isn't a hot day, as I sweat a lot when I'm working up the hills, so need to take lots of water.
I've no idea if it is marshalled. Given the scale and distances involved i would guess it isn't and that you have to find your own way around. I might have to print out the route and laminate it, otherwise I will never remember all of it.
I've no idea if it is marshalled. Given the scale and distances involved i would guess it isn't and that you have to find your own way around. I might have to print out the route and laminate it, otherwise I will never remember all of it.
The sportives i've done are usually signposted (think laminated pink A4 with an arrow tied to a lamp post type of sign) with the odd marshall on the worst junctions. Sometimes you get guys on motorcycles riding backwards and forwards checking people are ok.
What sort of bike computer do you use? Are you able to download the gpx file of the route for navigation?
What sort of bike computer do you use? Are you able to download the gpx file of the route for navigation?
lufbramatt said:
The sportives i've done are usually signposted (think laminated pink A4 with an arrow tied to a lamp post type of sign) with the odd marshall on the worst junctions. Sometimes you get guys on motorcycles riding backwards and forwards checking people are ok.
What sort of bike computer do you use? Are you able to download the gpx file of the route for navigation?
I've got a basic Garmin i got from Amazon. Think it's an Edge 130+ . I only use it to show speed, distance and time.What sort of bike computer do you use? Are you able to download the gpx file of the route for navigation?
boyse7en said:
What's the done thing for on-the-go repairs? I'm planning on a spare tube, a mini pump, tyre levers and a couple of allen keys, which should get me out of most issues.
Gas canister & adapter, save a lot of hard work, plus a chain quicklink - but feed stops will likely have basic mechanics there.PastelNata said:
Echoing others but personally, I would take a gel every 20-30 minutes and drink a lot - always take what you can from feeding stations. If not a gel, be munching something every 20min even if its just half a bar or a bit of rice cake.
Draft as much as you can. Careful on any very steep climbs - other riders who can't get up will stop suddenly and could be a hazard. A friend of mine was doing the Fred and some bloke knocked her off when he wobbled and came off and her rear derailleur was damaged, ending her ride.
Do the efforts you know you can do if it is your first time so that you pace yourself properly. I would also agree with the poster who recommended 28mm tyres if you can, I find them less fatiguing than 25mm. Especially tubeless because then you can run at much lower pressures and soak up the tarmac's bumps.
11-32 or 11-34 cassette if you're going for the ideal set-up.
Good luck and enjoy it!
The gel suggestion is total overkill. It's a sportive not an iron man. Draft as much as you can. Careful on any very steep climbs - other riders who can't get up will stop suddenly and could be a hazard. A friend of mine was doing the Fred and some bloke knocked her off when he wobbled and came off and her rear derailleur was damaged, ending her ride.
Do the efforts you know you can do if it is your first time so that you pace yourself properly. I would also agree with the poster who recommended 28mm tyres if you can, I find them less fatiguing than 25mm. Especially tubeless because then you can run at much lower pressures and soak up the tarmac's bumps.
11-32 or 11-34 cassette if you're going for the ideal set-up.
Good luck and enjoy it!
Edited by PastelNata on Thursday 11th May 08:48
For many many folks smashing in a load of gels just makes them feel sick.
OP you will benefit from doing some core strength training, as sat on a bike for 3hrs+ is tiring.
Plus if you can ride for extended periods on the hoods with arms bent (so your forearms are parallel to ground) you can reduce your wattage for a given speed significantly. Over 3hrs+, that's a big saving...it'll hurt less.
Wider tyres are also often faster, e.g. 25 > 23mm... And is more comfortable over distance...it'll hurt less.
TGCOTF-dewey said:
The gel suggestion is total overkill. It's a sportive not an iron man.
For many many folks smashing in a load of gels just makes them feel sick.
OP you will benefit from doing some core strength training, as sat on a bike for 3hrs+ is tiring.
Plus if you can ride for extended periods on the hoods with arms bent (so your forearms are parallel to ground) you can reduce your wattage for a given speed significantly. Over 3hrs+, that's a big saving...it'll hurt less.
Wider tyres are also often faster, e.g. 25 > 23mm... And is more comfortable over distance...it'll hurt less.
I did write "personally" and also mentioned part of a bar or rice cake. For many many folks smashing in a load of gels just makes them feel sick.
OP you will benefit from doing some core strength training, as sat on a bike for 3hrs+ is tiring.
Plus if you can ride for extended periods on the hoods with arms bent (so your forearms are parallel to ground) you can reduce your wattage for a given speed significantly. Over 3hrs+, that's a big saving...it'll hurt less.
Wider tyres are also often faster, e.g. 25 > 23mm... And is more comfortable over distance...it'll hurt less.
Gels are something you do need to train with to find out how your body reacts to them, I do agree.
I prefer gels because I can ingest them easier than solids when riding.
The 20-30 min ingesting of nutrition comes straight from my own experience of what it takes me to not run out of energy in a race and, for many, a Sportive means trying to get a PB which means doing as well as one can rather than simply coasting along taking in the view.
During training, I'll take one every 40min or so or even an hour if there is no great intensity involved. When racing, I do try to keep to 20-30min since that is what my Coach has instilled in me and, for me, it does work.
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