Picking Events

Thooms
Thooms Posts: 66
edited December 2008 in Pro race
Hi there,

I'm a relative newcomer to the road cycling world - and I'm after some advice in terms of entering races.

My weekly mileage is around the 80-100 mile range at the moment, usually comprising a longer ride (compared to what I've done before, obviously ;)) of around 45-50 miles with either one or two 20-30 mile rides a week and I'm really seeing a lot of benefits - but it would be good to start working toward something.

I'm not going too crazy at the moment, just trying to get the basics like heart and lungs a bit more up to scratch over the winter, then start training a bit harder in the new year. My current goal is a 75 mile ride to my parents house from Weston-Super-Mare to take the bike back over Christmas (planning to do this next Tuesday) - but it's nice having something to work toward afterwards.

Given my current location, I've been looking at the Dartmoor Classic (http://www.dartmoorclassic.co.uk/) in the 100 mile flavour as it's still a while in the future and should give me a while to get myself really in shape in preperation - but would it be worth doing some smaller/shorter events in the run up to get a feel for riding at a big event? Or would I be better off at turning my efforts more toward a 10 mile or 25 mile TT event?

Any input would be appreciated :D

- Tom

Comments

  • Eau Rouge
    Eau Rouge Posts: 1,118
    You know the Dartmoor Classic is a sportive, and not a race, right?
  • Thooms
    Thooms Posts: 66
    Yep - I thought it would be a good way to get into cycling at an organised event without fighting against the clock all the way.

    I guess I kind of posted in the wrong section...
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    Yes, you'd be better posting this in the Sportives section.
    Thooms wrote:
    would it be worth doing some smaller/shorter events in the run up to get a feel for riding at a big event? Or would I be better off at turning my efforts more toward a 10 mile or 25 mile TT event?
    The primary requirement for completing a long sportive is endurance, so focus on that. Build your longest weekly ride up to the point where you can comfortably ride 80% of your planned event distance over similar terrain and you should find it quite manageable on the day.

    Speed isn't so much of an issue, at least not to start with, maybe when you get the bug and want to go for a fast time. So I wouldn't focus too much on time trials unless these are a separate goal for the season.

    Group riding skills is another requirement so maybe consider trying a few club runs with a local club to get some pointers on the etiquette of group riding. This will also make the training miles passby a bit quicker in the lead up to the event.