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forum
Sportives
Can anybody recommend some sportives worth entering? Particularly 21 or 28 July or 4/5 August. I've had a look on British Cycling website but there does't seem to be very many so I'm wondering if anybody know of any others? Or maybe even some midweek ones (doubt it).
I'm in the Northwest of England, don't mid travelling a fair way but the South Coast is probably a bit too far.
In addition I'm also looking to the next step up from sportives. Racing? The whole licence and categories system is way confusing. Is anyone here able to explain or link to a clear explanation to what a newcomer needs to do and what sort of standard do you need to be looking at in order to not be left too far behind?
Thanks to anyone who can provide a bit of info on any of this.
Rich
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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11 comments
Bill, I have entered the 71 mile Le Terrier route, so I'm sure it will be a doddle! I may well look at the possibility to upgrading to the 104 nearer the date if training goes well.
I rode the climb from Wray through Roeburndale and Littledale a few weeks ago with 50 miles in my legs. Wow! Really not relishing doing it at the end of a much longer ride. I found myself being grateful for every tiny rest provided by having to open and shut the gates on the route.
There are lots of different sportives with all sorts of roads and difficulties attached. The Fred is still "the daddy". Probably the hardest sportive in the north of England is Le Terrier which I see that you have already entered. Have you entered the 104 mile route? I rode the 102 mile route last year and am riding again this year.
Saying that is the hardest Sportive will probably get others to disagree, but I am sure that you will agree with me after the ride. The hills start immediately and continue non stop, Jeffrey Hill is included this year (very steep) but the jewel in the crown starts after the left turn in Wray at 92 miles. They have just been softening you up and you now have to ride through Roeburndale! Oh my god is the best description, they are trying to kill me!
Isn't there an Etape du Dales happening this year? Closed roads. Lovely. Worth the entry fee.
Thanks for the suggestions. I now have my events planned out:
I'm already signed up for Le Terrier, 3rd June (http://www.le-terrier.co.uk/).
Then I plan to enter http://jodrellbanksummersportive2012.blogspot.co.uk/ 28th July.
Followed by http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/78711/Otley-Sportive 15th Sept and http://www.lbtf.org/upcoming_events.html# 23rd Sept.
All of which gives me plenty to aim towards.
On the other topic in this tread, the voices advising getting on a club run are adding to what I already knew really. I've been riding mostly solo for many years and don't really know anybody to ride with. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to improve a great deal from were I am now without getting experience of riding in groups, receiving advice from more experienced riders and working out what type of riding I'd be most suited to. So I'm going to bite the bullet and get in touch with a local club and see were things lead from there.
Sportives in August:
http://www.cyclosport.org/events/Aug-2012/UK.html
CW's sportive calendar
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/531214/2012-cyclo-sportive-ca...
Time trials are great - you can race at your own level (you're really only racing yourself), and in my experience the club atmosphere is relaxed and supportive. Quite a few of the TTers I know do road and circuit racing too. Either way you'll get appropriate advice from a switched-on club in your area.
Audaxes are very much like sportives, in that they are organised events you do on a specific day, but you get a route card etc instead of signage or feed stops. They are quite a bit cheaper. Have a look at Audax UK's event calendar.
Darlington Festival of Cycling has an organised "Castles" ride of 85 miles on Sunday 5th Aug.
Route looks pretty good and the price isn't silly sportive stuff,just £4.
You mention racing- dont worry too much about how fast you need to be. Get out on a clubrun, the most important thing is to be able to ride in a fast group safely. I do not road race but think as a new rider you will start as a 4th cat, and certain races will be open to you, and it is clearly listed on the event info. I think you can get a day licence, but if you intend to race a bit you will want a full race licence. Its all described on british cycling website.
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roadst_Get-Into-Road-Racing
Another great thing to try is time trialling. I do this a lot and love it. Its very casual and you can race club events just by turning up on te night. Open events require entering a couple of weeks in advance but it is still a pretty chilled out affair. The range of abilities is vast in most events so dont ever worry about your ability, just treat it as a personal test.
http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Beginners/tabid/203/Default.aspx
Wiggle aren't - Haywards Heath Howler: my home fixture
Looking forward to the Exodus (I think...) - any news on the bikes-back-to-bristol transport?
coach and furniture van both booked. the booking button will be on the website in the next couple of days
Yay! Nearly missed that - must subscribe to posts...
You don't want to do a sportive on 4/5 august
www.exmouthexodus.co.uk
July 28 is the Olympic road race, so organisers might be avoiding that weekend?