Sportives

sheffwed
sheffwed Posts: 23
edited August 2009 in Road beginners
Hi guys, all new to this road lark, but really enjoying it.

I have a Spesh Sirus Sport, and would like to take part in a sportive, do you think would do the job, as i really like the bike, and don't want to go down the route of spending loads on a new bike if this will be ok.

Or.... is there anything i can do to upgrade the Spesh, to get me up them there hills!!

Comments

  • John C.
    John C. Posts: 2,113
    To get up them there hills you practice practice and then practice a bit more.
    For your first sportive, be sensible, know your limits and enter an event you can complete, there is no point in doing The Fred or The Rumble 1 if 50 miles is the furthest you have ever ridden before.
    Sportives are great fun and are run in stunning areas, do your homework and you'll love them.
    If you're compfortable on the bike then it will be OK. Yes lighter will be quicker and easier up the hills , but comfort is paramount.
    http://www.ripon-loiterers.org.uk/

    Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
    Hills are just a matter of pace
  • sheffwed
    sheffwed Posts: 23
    Thanks for that. Did the coast to coast over a two days a month or so ago on the spesh which i enjoyed but found it hard work, going up Hartside after 70 miles but never got off or stopped

    Couple of weeks later tried to get up Honnister after 30 miles and had to stop about 300 meters from the top, and boy was i gutted!!

    Was thinking something like the spesh Sacuter might help but not being on a proper road bike before, worried that the comfort thing could well be an issue
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    sheffwed wrote:

    Or.... is there anything i can do to upgrade the Spesh, to get me up them there hills!!

    the bike is fine - you need to upgrade your legs...
  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    softlad wrote:
    the bike is fine - you need to upgrade your legs...

    Me too... now if I can just find an appropriate retailer...
  • sheffwed
    sheffwed Posts: 23
    At 46, there is a lot i need to update!!
  • John C.
    John C. Posts: 2,113
    Don't use the age argument on this forum. You'll loose.
    At 40 I was over weight BP problems drank too much ................. I was heading for an early grave. 10 years on and I'm doing some of the hardest sportives in the country and there are loads more here with similar tales.
    So 46 , you're a young whipper snapper with time to sort things out , sort it , enjoy

    And if you rode Hartside on 70 miles I think you may be putting your self down a little, Honister is a different ball game, but keep trying, it'll come. Once you've ridden Honester you can ride anything, it's right up there with the big boys. You watch them on The Fred and Honester is the first one to sort the men from the boys.
    http://www.ripon-loiterers.org.uk/

    Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
    Hills are just a matter of pace
  • sheffwed
    sheffwed Posts: 23
    Thanks for that John. I notice you put a link to the Ripon Loiteres on your message and for the first time i went out with Wheel Easy lot form Harrogate last weekend, and thety seem a good bunch, and they are wanting me to go out with them to do Park Rash this Sunday! Oh dear!
  • sheffwed
    sheffwed Posts: 23
    Thanks for that John. I notice you put a link to the Ripon Loiteres on your message and for the first time i went out with Wheel Easy lot form Harrogate last weekend, and thety seem a good bunch, and they are wanting me to go out with them to do Park Rash this Sunday! Oh dear!
  • John C.
    John C. Posts: 2,113
    Park Rash :shock: In the same categary as Honester, but different. The hill is in 3 parts
    1 Very steep right from the off but after a short time levels out for a mile or so.
    2 down a bit of a hill over a bridge and then up, keep over to the right hand side of the left hand bend otherwise you have no chance, this is the steepest bit, it then lessons to about 20% and finally levels out
    3 starts getting steeper, then steeper and a bit more.

    Each of these on there own would be bad enough but all togeather makes it a hill to fear. Saying tha, t treat it as a slow bike race and rest on the lessor parts of the climb. Mentally the is a good one to chalk off.
    Another tip is refer to hill as Mr. or Sir untill you have ridden them, Respect is due, forget and you will be punished. :lol: Sir Park Rash definately needs RESPECT
    http://www.ripon-loiterers.org.uk/

    Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
    Hills are just a matter of pace
  • sheffwed
    sheffwed Posts: 23
    O hell, i am worried already!!

    Do not wantto stop at any point on it, but sounds like i might have to!
  • pete600
    pete600 Posts: 142
    Monkeypump wrote:
    softlad wrote:
    the bike is fine - you need to upgrade your legs...

    Me too... now if I can just find an appropriate retailer...

    I have been looking on ebay but no joy so far
  • softlad wrote:
    sheffwed wrote:

    Or.... is there anything i can do to upgrade the Spesh, to get me up them there hills!!

    the bike is fine - you need to upgrade your legs...
    I did that. It's tricky though :lol: