Considering my first Sportive...

UnworthyPapaLazaru

This one.

http://www.gorebikewearsportives.com/selkirk.php

My dilemma is which course to do, the 50, 95...well the 120 is out the question really!

I find it hard to guage my fitness and how I would cope with the 95 mile-er. For this sportive, I cant decide if the 50 at a reasonable speed or hurting myself on the 95.

I have only had my road bike a number of weeks and to give an indication of my fitness, I went out with some more experienced roadies the other night and managed a 35 mile-er in 2hr4min. They could have dropped me if the wanted but slowed down for me and there were a couple of points (ok, there were 3) where I wanted to turn round and go home! It was steady climb for a lot of the route. I have also done a couple of 25 mile loops round Edinburgh, which I hope to make a fairly regular fixture, in 1hr20min. Last year I cycled the Glasgow-Edinburgh last year but I was on a go slow day due to the company I was keeping and it was on a mountain bike...

Can any of you regular mile munchers offer advice for a first time Sportive rider?

Cheers

dennisn

I would go for the 50 miler for my first time out. It's a learning thing and to attempt a lot longer ride for your first try seems a bit much. Do the 50 and IF things go fairly smoothly,
well, there is almost always another ride going on somewhere near you the following weekend, or so, that you can have a go at longer distances. Or you can go out and do a 100 from your front door. It's not like you HAVE to ENTER anything. That's what's so great about cycling.

Dennis Noward

DaveMoss

dennisn wrote:

well, there is almost always another ride going on somewhere near you the following weekend, or so, that you can have a go at longer distances.

Dennis Noward

Yes , August 8th, Bethany Edinburgh Sportive from Bonnyrigg,
http://www.edinburghsportive.btik.com with 70 mile option which has two feed stops. Should be in your range by then.

Your 35 mile ride in 2hrs 4 mins really is quite good. Aty that pace you will find plenty of company in a sportive. I would say that most club runs are at a pace that would be at the fast end in a sportive. Whatever your ultimate goals, for now you should just be doing steady miles and gradually increasing the distance, don't worry about speed. Try adding 5 to 10miles a week to your longest ride in the week.Remember to drink a lot on the ride.

UnworthyPapaLazaru

I was pleased with the time and distance but it finished me! I was straight in the bath then to bed...I slept like a baby!

Its clear I am going to have to build up gradually, I think I will enter the 50 miler and maybe consider something else later in the summer.