Social Rides and events

iGaz

Hey guys new here so thought I would get a feel on the general consensus of the users on here.

I do a lot of sicial riding and although I am not interested in competing I would still like to do events on a social level and see how I do before I dare try to go for a strong time.

My experience on social riding is good ive done plenty of 100 milers without stopping and have also done some longer distance rides over the course of 10 days etc.

I now want to do some events but I am concerned at my level of fitness that mite be required for an event. Do event organisers allow riders on who are more for the enjoyment than the competition ?

Although i do 100 milers, actually sustaining a competitive speed for 100 miles is different. I average 16 to 17 mph when doing my 100 milers but if am honest I know I can do better but I am more about the ride and enjoying it than actually hammering it.

Anyone that has done an event what is your AVG mph and would 16/17mph still be adequate enough for one. I am going to start improving my speed next weekend when my new bike has arrived and take it from their.

Thanks

lc1981

It depends what you mean by "event". It sounds like you're talking about something like a sportive or an audax, but these are non-competitive (well, sort of) so you needn't worry about wanting to take part for the enjoyment rather than competition. It sounds like you're plenty fast enough for this sort of event.

iGaz

lc1981 wrote:

It depends what you mean by "event". It sounds like you're talking about something like a sportive or an audax, but these are non-competitive (well, sort of) so you needn't worry about wanting to take part for the enjoyment rather than competition. It sounds like you're plenty fast enough for this sort of event.

Yeah if I went in to a sportive I was unsure whether they would be on my tail to have a certain etiquette when it comes to my speed etc.

I am wanting to experience the atmosphere of an event first and feel the layout so I know what to do the next time I enter.

I don't want to ruin anyones event by being to slow or by going fast early on only to find I will die off in the later stages so i want to get a feel for it overall. But thanks if that speed is ok for a sportive and im not going to look silly holding that speed then I should be fine as thats what I do on my 100 milers so I know I can sustain it without stopping and take it from their. I am only interested in the longer races as I know my ability over longer distances is better than my ability at a shorter distance and having to amp up the speed in order to finish with the pack.

Mikey41

If you are talking about sportives, then they are only as competitive as you want to make them as they aren't a race. It's about you against the course.

I did a 50 mile one, chatted with some great people on the way round, and finished with an average speed of 12mph.. And I wasn't the slowest round. Really enjoyed it.

There isn't a "pack" in sportives, everyone goes at their own pace and you will tend to find a group going at a similar speed to you.

lc1981

iGaz wrote:

I am only interested in the longer races as I know my ability over longer distances is better than my ability at a shorter distance and having to amp up the speed in order to finish with the pack.

There's a big difference between a race and a social ride. It sounds like you need to decide what you're after!

saprkzz

Your average speed (even if it was dead flat) would be fine for a sportive. You will see LOTS of family riders at them, with kids etc.. you get the "Hammer down" groups, but they dissapear into the distance at the start. The great thing about a sportive and its not competitive with each other. They are a great event for feeling part of something, having a number on your bike and enjoying the BBQ (usually) and cuppa afterwards within the cycling community.

It sounds like you will be perfectly suited for a sportive! There are tonns of them happening from now until the winter, look on British Cycling website and pick some in your area.. have fun

BigDaddyG

I have go to say you would be fine with Sportives, no problem at all.

I have just completed my first sportive of 60 miles with an avg of 14 mph and I was approx 300th out of 1000. There were 'hammer down' gangs but if thats their thing good on them, Generally I see sportives as you v the course and I chatted to a few guys on the ride, saw some great countryside and challenged myself against the course.

If you looking for a 'race' per say, then I can't help you but I am sure there are peeps on here who can.

iGaz

thanks for the feedback. Well I will look on websites and pick some and see how my first one goes and get a feel for where I am at competitively for future events. cheers all