Just signed up for my 1st sportive

obi wan dandobi

Just signed up for my 1st sportive, the Peak 100 Spring Classic. My wife signed me up for my xmas present as I've been going on and on about doing one but never gone through with it. Both excited and a bit nervous.
:?

Did anyone do last year's? Any tips on what I need for it? Like I said, this is all a bit new for me but over the moon that I'm finally signed up for one. Just need to lay off the third servings of xmas dinner now.

Garz

You will enjoy it pending on the weather and the fitness you put in beforehand.

Take it steady, drink plenty, eat regularly, try not to think of it as a race, socialise!

rodgers73

I did it last year - a great ride. You'll enjoy it as long as your fitness levels are good and you aren't distracted by feeling knackered etc.

I'd pack a decent waterproof and/or arm warmers etc as the weather can be changeable and bad weather is magnified quiet a bit up on the hills.

nunowoolmez

I did the Action Medical Peak 100 (miles) last year. Great ride but incredibly tough. It was a very windy day which made it twice as hard as those peaks leave you quite exposed!

Don't let this put you off tho. I love sportives, i did 18 of em this year & enjoyed them all. I like the way you just get chatting to people, the spirit is really good.

Pace yourself & enjoy the ride. It might hurt but you will feel awesome at the end. Get training!

jgsi

Thats quite a maiden 'sportive' in terms of terrain to choose.
Build up the stamina and endurance in your 'legs' slowly but surely, starting as soon as you like
Personally , I dont venture up the tops winter time, sticking to Cheshire lanes.
In all seriousness if you are'nt a club member then I would recommend you look into that side of things - advice and tips and opportunities to get some group riding under the belt.

Mike67

I did the Peak 100 earlier this year. It was very well organised and friendly with an excelllently stocked food stop at Rudyard and a much needed 'top up' food station at Longnor. I carried gels etc. with me but didn't really need them as the food supplied was more than adequate.

You need to keep a bit in reserve though as it's a fair stiff and loooong climb up from just after Longnor all the way to the Cat and Fiddle road, especially on tired legs. The run back into Macclesfield on the other side was great fun though

If you've not been up some of the climbs already then it might be a good idea to try one or two in training before the day itself. I found it much easier knowing what to expect having been around most parts of the course at some point or other in the past.

I was in a group for the first half hour or so but groups tended to split and form quite irregularly due the frequency of the climbs and susbsequent rapid descents and differing fitness and skill levels. By the end I could only see the odd rider in the distance in front of me.

You'll enjoy it I'm sure...might even enter it again myself

sunburntknees

You've got your Christmas present already?

obi wan dandobi

Thanks guys, some great tips.

Yeah the way I look at it I got my present early but won't be able to use it til April, glad I'm not doing it Xmas Day! I've been up to the peaks but not over Macclesfield way so will try nd get over there a couple of months nearer the time. Think I'm gonna be shocked what I've let mtself in for! Quietly confident on the hills but have never ridden in a group of more than 3 so liked the advice about joining a club. Have e-mailed my local club and due to go out for the 1st time this Sunday.

Thanks again everyone!

Anyone else thinking about entering it?