What Sportives u doing next year?
Comments
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I'm planning on:
May - Bealach Beag
May - Etape Caledonia
June - "the boys" Bourg d'Oisans trip (not a sportive but....whoo hoo
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August - Gore Bike Wear in Selkirk/Borders (if the same dates as last year)
Sept - Bealach Mor (as if once up that bl&&dy hill wasn't enough)
Sept - Pedal for Scotland, more of a eating trip on a bike than a sportive but good fun
Any advice on a good one in Scotland for July?0 -
BigG67 wrote:pneumatic wrote:Etape Caledonia - I'm expecting to get trashed as this is becoming a seriously competitive event. Year one I did 4.44 and came in the mid 400's, Year two I did 4.55 and came in the mid 1100's. This has been a shite year for training and the Winter is looking bad already, so my aim is to beat 5 hours and 2000th place. Anything better than that and I will be happy.
Don't feel too bad, there were a LOT more riders this year - look at what % beat you each year and you'll feel better.....I did
I think the idea with Sportives is that you look at the time you rode the course in.... they're not 'races' :roll:
I like your attitude though pneumatic, although I think you're supposed to aim to get quicker each year... :idea:
Just out of interest, why don't you guys do proper road racing? Much cheaper (no £50 entry fee), much better competition, and all round good crack. I'm genuinely interested in why Sportives generally get much bigger turn outs than Road Races.0 -
SayWhatUThink wrote:
Just out of interest, why don't you guys do proper road racing? Much cheaper (no £50 entry fee), much better competition, and all round good crack. I'm genuinely interested in why Sportives generally get much bigger turn outs than Road Races.
Apart from the fact that I would be off the back in the first few minutes, a lot of the attraction has to be the routes. How many 'proper races' go out of their way to cover the steepest hills and the best countryside in an area?0 -
SayWhatUThink wrote:BigG67 wrote:pneumatic wrote:Etape Caledonia - I'm expecting to get trashed as this is becoming a seriously competitive event. Year one I did 4.44 and came in the mid 400's, Year two I did 4.55 and came in the mid 1100's. This has been a shite year for training and the Winter is looking bad already, so my aim is to beat 5 hours and 2000th place. Anything better than that and I will be happy.
Don't feel too bad, there were a LOT more riders this year - look at what % beat you each year and you'll feel better.....I did
I think the idea with Sportives is that you look at the time you rode the course in.... they're not 'races' :roll:
I like your attitude though pneumatic, although I think you're supposed to aim to get quicker each year... :idea:
Just out of interest, why don't you guys do proper road racing? Much cheaper (no £50 entry fee), much better competition, and all round good crack. I'm genuinely interested in why Sportives generally get much bigger turn outs than Road Races.
I know it's not a race but we all look at our times and see how we compared to previous years....in this case I was looking for the silver lining when I dropped down the rankings with a faster time.
Why not racing....for me it's about the nervousness of what the level would be and I'm cautious about joining a club for the same reason. My perception of competitive cycling (indeed any kind of road cycling) is that there's a clique of those who can and it excludes those who can't.
My competitive sport came from squash and golf - both of which have an inclusive attitudes and in golf an actual handicap system that means I could with all seriousness play and beat Tiger Woods. With squash it's always one on one and so if you're no3 in the team chances are your opponent will be of a similar level.
Anyway that's my take on it.0 -
Personally, I did proper racing as a junior, back home in continental Europe. I'm getting back into active cycling, but have no desire whatsoever to go back to doing weekly crits with 60 1km laps anymore, or ambition, time or talent to reach the level needed to race on more interesting routes. So I plan to do some sportives for fun, because of the more interesting routes. Unless there are in fact races in the UK at cat.4/3 level with more interesting routes...SayWhatUThink wrote:I think the idea with Sportives is that you look at the time you rode the course in.... they're not 'races' :roll:
Just out of interest, why don't you guys do proper road racing? Much cheaper (no £50 entry fee), much better competition, and all round good crack. I'm genuinely interested in why Sportives generally get much bigger turn outs than Road Races.0 -
What follows is my own personal viewpoint...
I would never enter a race...for one, Im not nearly talented or 'physically correct'... and two...for me personally I cannot stand cycling as a competitiveness thing....in fact it would take all the 'love' I have for the hobbie out...going 100% most of the time would be diabolical in my books....I would miss one of the real treasures of cycling...the scenery!
Race routes are not usually devised to show the beauty of the place....and I love getting into real wilderness...and I'd rather stick hot needles in my eyes than race round a track repeatably...
Sportives are always usually very demanding....they usually entail the most scenic parts of the area....and although people have there own ambitions, the majority are not madly competitive...for me...I dont give a Sh*t about my time...its the experience for me...and my own ambition is not to get stopped or walk on any hill...and another important factor...theres tons of riders out there at different levels so you usually always end up with guys your own level and never feel inadequate....around 50% of the riders just want to get through the bloody thing never mind putting up a good time in....and theres also Cycling 'rules' to racing where one can get chastised for not riding in the correct manner etc... whereas a sportive you can ride as you want (but should always be careful and considerate of others)....its basically a lot less formal with no real pressure...
thats my take...theres tons of guys out there who 'need' competition...I simply don't...and its not what my hobbie means to me....0 -
For me, it the fact that it's a proper race, and if I'm going to race then I'm going at it to win, not to just take part. And that will cause two things to happen, the need to train and train to do my best to win, at the expense of time with the family,SayWhatUThink wrote:BigG67 wrote:pneumatic wrote:Etape Caledonia - I'm expecting to get trashed as this is becoming a seriously competitive event. Year one I did 4.44 and came in the mid 400's, Year two I did 4.55 and came in the mid 1100's. This has been a shite year for training and the Winter is looking bad already, so my aim is to beat 5 hours and 2000th place. Anything better than that and I will be happy.
Don't feel too bad, there were a LOT more riders this year - look at what % beat you each year and you'll feel better.....I did
I think the idea with Sportives is that you look at the time you rode the course in.... they're not 'races' :roll:
I like your attitude though pneumatic, although I think you're supposed to aim to get quicker each year... :idea:
Just out of interest, why don't you guys do proper road racing? Much cheaper (no £50 entry fee), much better competition, and all round good crack. I'm genuinely interested in why Sportives generally get much bigger turn outs than Road Races.
,and secondly and most importantly, it will turn me into a person that once in competitive mode takes no prisoners and I can be incredibly aggresive in the pursuit of my objective. :evil:
So far easier, for me, just to enjoy the challenge that a sportive can offer! 0 -
Definitely the Cheshire Cat as I paid up for that the other week. I only did it on the spur of the moment but at least now I have a focus for the begining of next year.
I was going to do the Marmotte but I think instaead I'll do Cingles De Ventoux and take in the Tour stage which seems like a popular option on here. I'd like to have the time and cash to do both but I don't see it happening.
Not sure after that. I feel the need to do something different with my cycling so might mix it up with some TTs or some MTB enduros this summer. I'll make that decision once things warm up a bit and I get back into riding more0 -
So far i am looking at:
CHeshire Cat
Lakeland Loop
Forest of Dean Spring Classic
Gran Fondo Cymru
Dragon Ride
Circuit of the Cotswolds
White Roase Classic
Donnington Bike Radar Sportive
The Devil Ride
Tour of the Black Mountains
Autmn Epic
Exmoor Beast
Hopig to fill a few gaps in the calendar, i fancy riding the closed roads event around Pitlochry, and i think there is an event going around Loch Neagh in NI.
Just got to get the triple fitted and get some miles in and weight down for a super 09.Just a fat bloke on a bike0 -
SayWhatUThink wrote:Just out of interest, why don't you guys do proper road racing? Much cheaper (no £50 entry fee), much better competition, and all round good crack. I'm genuinely interested in why Sportives generally get much bigger turn outs than Road Races.
While I am curious to see what racing's all about, I'm a bit put off by my experience with previous sports (particularly rowing) where I found that the more competitive you get, the more serious and less fun it becomes. By the time I got to the pinnacle of my rowing career, it was just like having a second full time job and I began to hate it. I really wouldn't want the same thing to happen with cycling, and tbh doing laps of the same course, not being able to appreciate the scenery (if any), and not having any choice as to how fast to go doesn't sound like much fun to me, so I think I'll be sticking with sportives.0 -
Same as this year, but to do the longer routes rather than the shorter ones so. The plan is
Tour of Wessex, Saturday and Monday rides
Tour of Dartmoor
Exmoor Beast
Plus The Cheddar Challenge as well hopefully....0 -
Have enterd Ullapool 130 mile challenge and the Skye Mor and I'm planning to put an entry in for The Fred Whitton which i done last year but walked the steaper climbs, plan to attempt to cycle them all this time with newly fitted triple.
Anybody do the Ullapool last year or doing it this year? Any words of advice etc much apprieciated. :shock: 
:x 0 -
holmeboy wrote:Have enterd Ullapool 130 mile challenge and the Skye Mor and I'm planning to put an entry in for The Fred Whitton which i done last year but walked the steaper climbs, plan to attempt to cycle them all this time with newly fitted triple.
Anybody do the Ullapool last year or doing it this year? Any words of advice etc much apprieciated. :shock: :x
Might do the Ullapool myself this year and if it was like last year I would suggest a good rain coat. Good for you with the triple - thats what I use and got up all the climbs in the 2007 FWC and would have made it in 2008 if it was not for a minor collision of two cars that blocked the road.Brian B.0 -
Dragon Ride again, hopefully with fully operational cranks and not have to spend all day waiting for and then riding in the broom wagon.
There is a huge difference between road racing and a sportive, if you get shelled out the back of the peleton then it really is no fun at all riding around on your own, and the pain of staying in the group is not to be underestimated, unless you're already good at it. The average sportif rider wouldnt last 2 minutes in a RR to be honest, so thats probably why they are so popular as you can ride against yourself / the clock as well as others. Personally I have always thought that sportives are actually closer to a TT than a RR...0 -
Nickwill wrote:SayWhatUThink wrote:
Just out of interest, why don't you guys do proper road racing? Much cheaper (no £50 entry fee), much better competition, and all round good crack. I'm genuinely interested in why Sportives generally get much bigger turn outs than Road Races.
Apart from the fact that I would be off the back in the first few minutes, a lot of the attraction has to be the routes. How many 'proper races' go out of their way to cover the steepest hills and the best countryside in an area?
There are regulations which determine what roads can be used for racing on and also police can rule routes out so thats why the road racing routes are limited. Why do you think sportives are not classed as races? Most of the routes would not be allowed for road racing, ok maybe TOB.
There are people who race and do sportives, I do, but we are in the monority by far.
I think most people ride them because they like them, enjoy the routes, enjoy riding with and meeting other riders and its a challeng. You cna also ride the entire route without busting your bollocks trying not to get dropped to get you entry fee's worth 0 -
Big67
My competitive sport came from squash and golf - both of which have an inclusive attitudes and in golf an actual handicap system that means I could with all seriousness play and beat Tiger Woods. With squash it's always one on one and so if you're no3 in the team chances are your opponent will be of a similar level.
As John MacEnroe said "you cannot be serious?"
I cannot think of two less inclusive sports than golf and squash, and speak form experience.
Yes you could beat Tiger in a handicap game if you were lucky enough to be a club member where he plays or lucky enough to be a member anywhere. Do the clubs encourage women members and juniors these days ( I mean the majority of clubs not a couple)
Squash? Hmm in most clubs unless you know the team captain it is almost impossiblle to get in a team. In the vast majority of teams I played against it was nearly always the same team every year playing with very few new players and even less juniors.
With respect to raod racing, why do you have the perception of a clique? To race you have to have a licence and be bcf member thats it, wheres the clique? You do not even have to be a club member so it is less of a clique than the two sports you mention squash and golf, both of which are impossible to be competative in without being a club member.
I have to admit that cycle racing (both track and road) are the most physically demanding (both participation and training preperation) than all other competative sports I have done, which is why I believe sportives are good as they provide another outlet for the sport for varying standards and not so competative.
Bit off the track of the thread but never mind[/quote] 0 -
2009 will be my first year, and so far I have registered for:
Mad March Hare
Cheshire Cat
Spud Riley Polkadot
Also looking to enter:
Dave Lloyd Midi challenge
Fred Whitton
White Rose Classic & Challenge
Etape du Dales
Lakeland Loop
Gran Fondo Cymru
3 counties Challenge
Ryedale Rumble..........
I think that should keep me busy & fit
given the change of date - I'm thinking of entering the Clayton Velo (24th Feb). What should I aim for as a minimum to make sure I'm not overly embarassed by my performance?0 -
Glad to see a number of people entered tour of black mountains.
Gets my vote as favourite UK event ridden to date. Unfortunately cant do it next year but would heartily recommend to all.Martin S. Newbury RC0 -
Etape Caledonia, Cairngorm Classic, Southern Upland Challenge (aka Radar 105), Lochness 360, Bealach Mhor, Ullapool Sportive. That'll do for a start, may be more. 8)pete-the-bike
the idea is to die young as late as possible0 -
sportbilly1976 wrote:2009 will be my first year, and so far I have registered for:
Mad March Hare
Cheshire Cat
Spud Riley Polkadot
Also looking to enter:
Dave Lloyd Midi challenge
Fred Whitton
White Rose Classic & Challenge
Etape du Dales
Lakeland Loop
Gran Fondo Cymru
3 counties Challenge
Ryedale Rumble..........
I think that should keep me busy & fit
given the change of date - I'm thinking of entering the Clayton Velo (24th Feb). What should I aim for as a minimum to make sure I'm not overly embarassed by my performance?
I like your balls Billyboy.....I remember you asking if the Mad march hare was a suitable 'entry' into the sportive scene a month or so back....and all answered yes...
Now look at your list :shock:
Theres not any easy sportives...the flatter it is the quicker you go....but you have named some sportives where much people fail to even finish...FWC(enough said), both the White Rose's are bonkers hard aswell.....along with EdDs...GFC,3CCs....and also the Ryedale Rumble with its 33% gradients.....
I always find sitting in the middle of crappy winter that signing up for sportives is so appealing and easy....but when you've got rides of this magnitude only a few weeks apart it can totally detroy you...I ALWAYS forget how hard they are...its only when you actually finish and have spent 7-11 hours in a saddle going hard at it that the reality kicks home....watch what your doing mate...I reckon a lot of money gets wasted due to over excitement in Winter...what I'm trying to do is now do around 5 a year at most....that way they are usually well spread and I can take it easier in between...and also enjoy my own personal riding which I love....
Its upto you pal...and if your minds made up then you indeed go for it....and what Ive said is only my own experience...0 -
Confirmed so far;
Etape Caledonia
Edinburgh Marathon (not cycling i know but it's probably gonna end me!)
Considering;
Cairngorm Classic
Trossachs Ton
Bealach of some description
Radar105 aka Southern Upland Sportive
Selkirk Gore Bikewear sportive
Few more running events too, might try a duathlon if I'm feeling really brave How's that for a slice of fried gold?0 -
First year so starting off with Northern Rock Cyclone as it is reasonably local Will then take it from there.0
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Just signed up for my first ever - the Hampshire Hilly Hundred.
Steve0 -
TonyW43 wrote:First year so starting off with Northern Rock Cyclone as it is reasonably local Will then take it from there.
Tony - have a look at the Richmond Sportives too. They are organised by a great club (I'm not a member, just really enjoy their sportive) and have options of 50, 80 and 100 miles. Entry opens early in the new year.
http://www.richmondcyclingclub.co.uk/0 -
I´ll probably do Styrkeproven in Norway around midsummer. It´s 540 kilometres and the profile is fairly challenging. I will also need at least a couple of tune-ups for the big one, Five counties run (100km) in Finland in the end of may could be one."Wo ist mein Fahrrad?"
-Ralf Hutter of Kraftwerk waking up from a coma after a crashing with his bicycle-0 -
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The Etape Caledonian in May is one that I'm really looking forward to as I want to experience a closed road event in the UK for the first time. After that I'll be doing the Spanish UCI Golden Bike event, Quebrantahuesos, third week in June.
This is 205 kms in the Pyrenees, taking in Somport, Marie Blanque and Portalet. With around 8000 riders, nearly all of whom are Spanish, it is possibly the world's best organised and best run sportive. Certainly the few Brits who I know who have done it think it is.
I'll also do the Valencia City Marcha again in October. This year this was the closest I got to experiencing a sportive as a flat out race. It is 105 kms on the flat and I averaged 42kmph, coming in 240th out of around 4500 - a result I can never get close to when mountains are involved. The winning group averaged 43.5 kmph and a young English lad, Simon Thomas, came in second in the sprint. At only 18 years of age he could be a name to keep an eye on for the future.
Tour of Ibiza is the next week and as it's over a long weekend, a nice way to see the island and enjoy a bit of partying. Indurain was out riding each stage this year.0 -
Other McHoy, funnily I will also be doing the Etape Caledonian as a build up for Quebrantahuesos (Fray Bentos) as will a couple of other lads.
Its still 5 months away and but my hamstrings are already nervously twitching for Spain.
Some of the vision on youtube of it looks awesome.
The long grazed legged one0 -
Tour of Flanders
IoW Randonee
Hampshire Hilly Hundred
Dragon Ride
La Marmotte
MF Giro di Lombardia
Can't wait. 0 -
My first of the year will be The Cheshire Cat.
Considering: Dave LLoyd Mega (70 miles), Circuit of the Cotswolds, Exmoor BeastFCN = 4.5 Roadie, hairy legs, half a beard (say goateeeeee!)0
