Argghhhh getting worried....

mudcow007

got my first sportive in a couple of weeks, but haven't really ridden in a few weeks either

getting worried.....bike is due in for a tinker tomorrow so fingers crossed i can start putting miles in

MrSweary

Ah don't worry about it, you'll be fine. How hard can it be, right?

sketchley

I'm sh!tting myself over the London Ride 100. I have no excuse now I raised over the £500 minimum. Place is confirmed, new bike ordered, it even has a tripple to get me up the hills.... I have no excuse. However last two training rides in Surrey hills have absolutley killed me.

Do you need insurance for sportive? If so is a daily one or annual one better? The insurer I may well use for new bike want £100 extra for sport cover seems a lot for one event...

CiB

No more need for sportiv insurance than there is for riding anywhere else. Your choice, but not mandatory / necessary. A sportiv isn't a race.

rolf_f

Just look at it like this. A sportive is a bike ride on the same roads that you could ride any day for free only you get to pay for the pleasure! The only real difference is that there is a little more motivation incorporated so don't worry about it - just enjoy it!

mudcow007

ive never rode a 100 miles, especially (what feels like a) millions of miles away from home

rolf_f

mudcow007 wrote:

ive never rode a 100 miles, especially (what feels like a) millions of miles away from home

Where is it? Makes all the difference. If Cheshire Plain, then it is just about how long your backside can cope with being sat on the saddle; otherwise a doddle. If it is Bowland, then you will die a hideous, long drawn out death on the relentless, unforgiving hills of doom. It's no surprise that Tolkein based Middle Earth on Bowland. Basically you'll be riding into the gates of Mordor.

So hopefully the Sportive isn't there then!

Hope this helps.

antfly

Rolf F wrote:

Just look at it like this. A sportive is a bike ride on the same roads that you could ride any day for free only you get to pay for the pleasure! The only real difference is that there is a little more motivation incorporated so don't worry about it - just enjoy it!

The roads aren't usually closed to traffic though, it is worth paying for that alone on the London 100.

Kieran_Burns

Rolf F wrote:

mudcow007 wrote:

ive never rode a 100 miles, especially (what feels like a) millions of miles away from home

Where is it? Makes all the difference. If Cheshire Plain, then it is just about how long your backside can cope with being sat on the saddle; otherwise a doddle. If it is Bowland, then you will die a hideous, long drawn out death on the relentless, unforgiving hills of doom. It's no surprise that Tolkein based Middle Earth on Bowland. Basically you'll be riding into the gates of Mordor.

So hopefully the Sportive isn't there then!

Hope this helps.

Genius post

Got my 2nd 100 mile sportive at the end of June. Need to get some longer rides in but basically did it last year on the back of simply doing the 12 miles to and from work.

Eat, drink and be merry is the best advice for a Sportive.

mudcow007

Rolf F wrote:

mudcow007 wrote:

ive never rode a 100 miles, especially (what feels like a) millions of miles away from home

Where is it? Makes all the difference. If Cheshire Plain, then it is just about how long your backside can cope with being sat on the saddle; otherwise a doddle. If it is Bowland, then you will die a hideous, long drawn out death on the relentless, unforgiving hills of doom. It's no surprise that Tolkein based Middle Earth on Bowland. Basically you'll be riding into the gates of Mordor.

So hopefully the Sportive isn't there then!

Hope this helps.

ahh thats better i feel all warm an fuzzy inside now :shock:

this is the little cheeky number

Clicky

cyclingprop

Sketchley wrote:

I'm sh!tting myself over the London Ride 100. I have no excuse now I raised over the £500 minimum. Place is confirmed, new bike ordered, it even has a tripple to get me up the hills.... I have no excuse. However last two training rides in Surrey hills have absolutley killed me.

Do you need insurance for sportive? If so is a daily one or annual one better? The insurer I may well use for new bike want £100 extra for sport cover seems a lot for one event...

How long were the training rides? How much climbing? I've a bunch of GPXs from sportives I've done this year if you want some routes to build up with. Welcome to come out on 68m/6100ft route from Orpington with us on Sat if you like. 930am start.