Sportive reflections.

Aguila

I enjoyed my first sportive, riding the C+ one at the weekend. Was a real buzz riding with so many other cyclists, the distance was fine and managed a good time. Would encourage any other sportive virgins to have a go, I did it without any training other than my commute.

The most unexpected thing was the unbelievable number of fat middle aged blokes riding very very expensive bikes. Some hilarious shouting of "put the hammer down" etc from blokes who looked better suited to having a lie down.

Is this what club membership is like?? I have to admit it's what has put me off joining one before.

Having said that there were some very friendly people too and special mention to the guy who did the whole thing on a brompton folding bike (and at an impressive pace too!).

cjcp

Congrats on your first sportive! Great, aren't they? I love the atmosphere on them. IME, you do get your uber-competitive riders, but I've never found them to have an adverse affect on my experience.

Re the club point, not in my club. One way to get a feel for a club is to go along to a Sunday club run and meet some of the people.

Aguila

Thanks! It was cool.

I think I will revisit the idea of going to a club, I feel more confident having done well on the sportive.

Gazzaputt

No clubs aren't like that most can be a bit whippet types!

I love these types on Sportives first climb and they're slaughtered.

Roastie

Well done - looked like a pretty challenging route!