first ever sportive, what to expect.

Redfred237

Hi, I've taken the plunge and put my name down for a sportive on March 13TH in Milton Keynes. Part of the Evans Ride it events. I've opted for the 60 mile route and the distance won't be a problem as long as I don't go mental at the start.
I'd just like to know what to expect and advice about how not to look like a complete idiot. Do they start you off in groups? do they have showers available at the end? There are feed and water stations do you have to pay? I've read somewhere before about telling them my age when registering so as to compare times, is this correct? As you can tell any info will be appreciated.

kingrollo

if you've done a charity ride - multiple the entry fee by three -and the rest is pretty much the same - you may also get an official time

Anonymous

There's always a grizzly old bloke on a 1970s steel racer who beasts everyone.

thecrofter

Enjoy overtaking people on much more expensive kit than you have, always helps pass the miles.

Anonymous

Enjoy bimbling along enjoying the scenery and chat whilst inverted snobs on less expensive bikes make it their mission to overtake you.

Garz

Expect... the unexpected!

nakita222

there will always be a few guys who think it is a race and set off at break neck speed, leaving you for dead. Hear the cathcline. They'll bonk after 10 miles and you wil smile as you ease past.

AndyF16

NapoleonD wrote:

There's always a grizzly old bloke on a 1970s steel racer who beasts everyone.

LOL - I could fit the description, anyone got the machinery for sale?

alan14

I've done a few of these rides, including the MK one. Here's how it has worked for me.

Arrive at the start centre about 30 mins before you want to start your ride. Leave bike and kit etc. in car and go to signing on with registration details. They give you a timing chip band (to fasten on leg above ankle), a route map (marked with drink stations) and an energy bar.

Prepare bike (e.g. pump up tyres) and go to start point, where there is a rider briefing and start the ride over the timing mats in small groups.

Feed and drink stations - don't know if you have to pay because I've never stopped at one! I'm pretty sure the drink is free though, including, obviously, at the unmanned drink stations.

Showers - I don't think so. Just toilets.

Age - I've never been asked for my age or age band.

Tips - check the Ride It Blog for start centre and route updates. If you're not familiar with the roads, download the .gpx file and view it on your favourite mapping site (e.g. http://www.bikehike.co.uk/) so you know what to expect for the route (the signage is good). I even view road junctions on Google StreetView.

CiB

Answer the question chaps.

Evans events are v relaxed affairs. You go off pretty much when it suits. Groups sort of form & then dissolve organically. There will be one or two food stops but only basic stuff - bananas, fruit etc, and the sponsors energy drink to refill your bottles.

At the finish you report in to log the time and hand back any kit you've borrowed and then go home. The results appear or two later online in a spreadsheet format.

As for the ride, just pace yourself, and enjoy it.

Ps - food is included in the entry fee.

danowat

Expect.....

Loads of middle aged men with paunches, riding bikes worth more than your car, pretending they are racing in the TDF

P_Tucker

If you want to start a conversation, pretend you are a dentist. This way, you'll have something in common with 98% of sportive riders.

bompington

Expect....

loads of condescension from Real Cyclists

honcho67

P_Tucker wrote:

If you want to start a conversation, pretend you are a dentist. This way, you'll have something in common with 98% of sportive riders.

whats that owning a set of teeth.

rolf_f

Evans events are nice! There may be showers or there maybe 3 partly blocked toilets and no bog roll. All depends on the luck of the draw.

And nobody is going to mind what you ride, what you wear or how fast or slowly you ride. Besides, they don't get thousands attending so, unless you join up with a little group, you'll probably be on your own after an hour anyway!

CiB

Just to add to this, my experience of doing the Ride It at Rochdale this time last year was:

Arrive at start location (a school IIRC) in good time

Sign on - you're given a printed route and the timing device to attach to bike.

Check through the gear that Evans bring along in case there's anything you want to try out in the clothing range. I did that event using one of their Gore tops, loaned for the event, and was so impressed I bought one eventually.

Once given the all clear from the Evans people you're free to go. Note that it's not a formal road race or anything like that, it's a bike ride for enthusiasts. You go when you're ready pretty much. No-one cares if you sneak off a minute early, but note that your total time is your your allocated start time deducted from your eventual arrival time, so leave late and you're already behind.

The route will be v well signed. Once you tune into the arrows you don't miss them. The route will probably involve a bit of ducking & diving back on itself - don't worry if you seem to be going in what seems to be the wrong direction.

The feed stations are a bit limited but welcome nonetheless - you can top your bottles up and grab a banana. There's no additional fee for this.

Keep an eye the printed route as it's likely that the 60 & 100 mile routes are the same for most of the course - the 100 will probably have an additonal loop or will bactrack on an earlier part of the route to get the mileage up. There should be marshalls at various points who can guide you & assist where possible, but punctures & mechanical failure are down to you & your own abilities so at least carry a spare tube & the Allen key that does most of the bike.

Groups will come and go, but you'll want to ride at your own pace so don't hang on to quicker boys for the sake of it, and don't pootle around at a speed that's too slow for you. Find your pace and either jump onto quicker groups up ahead, or drop back. Phil Liggettt won't be passing comment on what you do. No-one will actually.

At the finish you'll check in to return your kit and just make yoursefl known, so that they know that you're not upside down in a ditch 40 miles out. Thank the organisers and Evans staff who've opted to work a Sunday morning for your benefit, and leave in a dignified manner.

Job done. A day or two later you'll see the results up on the web site, by which time you'll have your excuses ready.

I wanted to expand on my earlier post as I did it from the iPod and it's not the best device for typing on.

sparkins1972

Is there a particular website that lists all available sportives nationally throughout the year?

danowat

sparkins1972 wrote:

Is there a particular website that lists all available sportives nationally throughout the year?

http://www.cyclosport.org/

sparkins1972

Thanks danowat

Redfred237

Thanks to you all for all of your posts on this, I chose this ride as it was quite near to Peterborough and on a date to give me chance to get a bit of training in. Getting the impression that its not too serious, but that will do to get me started. Hoping to do Flat out in the fens later in year and do my first 100 miler.
Also looking at Discover Rutland in April my favourite training area.
Thanks CiB and Alan14 for the info and advice.
Thanks also to Danowat for the website address.

CarbonCopy

NapoleonD wrote:

Enjoy bimbling along enjoying the scenery and chat whilst inverted snobs on less expensive bikes make it their mission to overtake you.

Hehehe

stevec205gti

If you're in Peterborough also consider this:-

http://www.wheelsinwheels.com/rumble/ri ... event.html

Starts in St Ives and heads out NW out to the west of Peterborough - the longer route makes it out towards Rutland. I did the 100k last year and enjoyed it - the feed stop was well supplied, with drinks and as many various energy bars and gels as you could shove in your pockets! Also included was changing facilities at the local sports centre (along with parking) less than 2 minutes ride from the start, and even a baked spud with toppings from the local cafe just across the road from the start/finish line.

bianchimoon

NapoleonD wrote:

Enjoy bimbling along enjoying the scenery and chat whilst inverted snobs on less expensive bikes make it their mission to overtake you.

Top quote nail on the head

bianchimoon

I'm sure you'll enjoy thoroughly redfred, I'm doing my first in may and like yourself not sure what to expect, just hope it's a great friendly day out with like minded people and hopefully not being looked down on by younger fitter people just because my bike/wheelsetmay be more expensive than theirs!

Baggervance

Hi Redfred, I'm not far from you (Ramsey) and I've signed up for 5 local sportives which may be of interest to you.
Interesting to read the comments you got as I'm new to cycling and didn't know what to expect when I entered the sportives

These are the sportives I've entered:-
WIGGLE NO EXCUSES SPORTIVE 20 MARCH 2011 (Huntingdon)
SQUIRES & SPIRES (Northamptonshire) Sun 24 April
RICHARDSONS RUMBLE 2011. SUNDAY 3RD APRIL 2011 (St.Ives)
RUTLAND CICLE TOUR SAT 16 APRIL 2011 (Oakham)
LINCOLN GRAND PRIX SPORTIVE 7 MAY 2011

paulbox

This sounded really interesting to me until I had a little play with google maps and worked out just how far 60 miles is :?

Think I'll build gently over the coming year and perhaps have another think then... :oops:

jonmack

PaulBox wrote:

This sounded really interesting to me until I had a little play with google maps and worked out just how far 60 miles is :?

Think I'll build gently over the coming year and perhaps have another think then... :oops:

No one is forcing you to do it in 2 hours, if it takes you 8, it takes you 8, the idea of a sportive is that you go at your own pace and you get the pleasure of riding with other like minded people. 60 miles in the grand scheme of things isn't far, it's only a days cycling.

Richa1181

Unfortunately the gnarly old man on the steel racer and the snobs will all be present at the sportives but it's nothing to be intimidated by. The old man is usually very humble and you can take solace in the fact that the wannabe racers probably get their asses handed to them regularly in actual races and are trying to make up for it by beating women and children!

I wouldn't worry about the above though as there will be plenty of people around actually trying to enjoy themselves. You'll find pretty much everyone is really friendly and you can't really go wrong being able to talk about bikes all day without your partner telling you to shut up!