Training tips for my first sportive
suzygarbo
Posts: 52
I've had my new road bike for a month tomorrow and have done 200 miles, its going really well and I can feel my fitness getting better. I have signed up for my first sportive in 5 weeks time for something to train towards. Does anyone have any tips / advice on how or what would help build muscles and stamina in that time as there is 1 massive bank. I go out Tuesday nights Thursday nights (20 miles each) and 30/40 miles on a Sunday at the moment which I have just upped from half that.
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Well it all depends how long the sportive is0
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What's a massive bank ?Smarter than the average bear.0
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suzygarbo wrote:I've had my new road bike for a month tomorrow and have done 200 miles, its going really well and I can feel my fitness getting better. I have signed up for my first sportive in 5 weeks time for something to train towards. Does anyone have any tips / advice on how or what would help build muscles and stamina in that time as there is 1 massive bank. I go out Tuesday nights Thursday nights (20 miles each) and 30/40 miles on a Sunday at the moment which I have just upped from half that.
Just ride your bike as often as you can, for as long as you can. The only objective for a sportive is that you complete the distance, so no actual 'training' needed, as such. Assuming you have the right gearing for your fitness level, the 'massive bank' should not be a huge problem.0 -
It's 21.5 miles which I can do not problem but not generally that fast, the bank is called clay bank near stokesley. I haven't seen it yet but I've heard it's crazy hard. I'm going to drive up it to check it out this weekend.0
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suzygarbo wrote:I'm going to drive up it to check it out this weekend.
why not ride up it instead?0 -
antfly wrote:What's a massive bank ?
It's a northern hill, and a big one to boot. Maybe it's just a north yorks / north east thing.
E.g Sutton bank, rosedale chimney bank, Carlton bank.
To the original question, distance wise it will be a breeze as you are already riding more- is there a longer route you can tackle?
The middle bit is steepish 12-15% gradient but its not massively long and the gradient eases nearer the top. Sick it in a low gear when it gets steep and you'll be fine. Make sure you are in you small chainring as you start the climb and then work your way up your cassette as it gets steeper so you are pedalling at a reasonable rate, that is easier than grinding up in a higher gear. At worst you can get off and push!Bianchi Infinito CV
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Thanks thats useful to know, I think I'm going to practice hill climbing and see it I can build up some sort of immunity if that's the right word. It's either 21.5 or 63.5 which I daren't even try as that has 3 big ones rather than just the 1 :shock:0
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Good luck with that.suzygarbo wrote:I think I'm going to practice hill climbing and see it I can build up some sort of immunity
You do realise that the hills know you're coming? They make themselves just a tiny bit steeper every time you venture up them.Is the gorilla tired yet?0 -
Hmm i haven't done a sportive in a few years but I'm sure the OP will be expected to finish in a specific time frame so just completing the distance will not be enough. Ask any of the E'tape rider who've been picked up by the broom wagon? Also we have no idea of the OP's fitness level so to say he/she doesn't have to train is not the best advice either. I'm sure its not the case but what if he/she is currently just plodding along at 11mph?Imposter wrote:Just ride your bike as often as you can, for as long as you can. The only objective for a sportive is that you complete the distance, so no actual 'training' needed, as such. Assuming you have the right gearing for your fitness level, the 'massive bank' should not be a huge problem.
--There's lots of useful advice especially if you search for "Etape"
--On your shorter rides 1-2 hours try and push yourself for short periods 10-20 mins each hour. The effort should feel a tad uncomfortable (not as bad as climbing a steep hill!l) and your riding at an intensity beyond conversation pace (it will take focus and concentration initially but will bring good fitness gains)
--Don't forget to eat and drink small amounts every hour
--Try to relax when climbing and choose appropriate gears so that you can find your rhythm
--As a newbie the more you cn ride the better. But if you'r tired its much better to bag the session than plod around and fatigue yourself to the point subsequent rides are effective
--Do some group riding whenever you get the chance
--Most importantly enjoy yourself. Welcome aboard you're now a cyclist 0 -
It depends on the sportive. The ones I've done (Evans/Wiggle) there is a broom van but it won't overtake the last rider, unless I guess they are in real trouble.0
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Toks wrote:
Hmm i haven't done a sportive in a few years but I'm sure the OP will be expected to finish in a specific time frame so just completing the distance will not be enough. Ask any of the E'tape rider who've been picked up by the broom wagon? Also we have no idea of the OP's fitness level so to say he/she doesn't have to train is not the best advice either. I'm sure its not the case but what if he/she is currently just plodding along at 11mph?Imposter wrote:Just ride your bike as often as you can, for as long as you can. The only objective for a sportive is that you complete the distance, so no actual 'training' needed, as such. Assuming you have the right gearing for your fitness level, the 'massive bank' should not be a huge problem.
But we're not talking about the etape though, are we? As far as I'm aware, we're talking about a 21 mile route with a 7-8% climb. Most people with basic cycling fitness should be able to handle that within a reasonable time. Last time I checked, basic cycling fitness was best achieved by simply riding a bike and by the sound of it the OP is already comfortable at double that distance. Like I say - no 'training' needed. Knocking out intervals on her longer rides might indeed bring her fitness on, but that wasn't what was being asked. Don't over-complicate what should be a very straightforward issue.0 -
Clay bank is not very difficult at all. I appreciate this is relative and that you are quite new to cycling, but just keep on doing what you're doing and you'll get round no problems.
In fact you'll post back on here afterwards wondering what the worry was.0 -
As the OP has ridden rides of a similar length before he isn't going to be going slow enough to get picked up by broom waggon.
All I would say if take you time on the hill and don't pedal too fast as you will raise your heart rate too quickly, you are better off getting into a rhythm and changing through the gears as required like another poster suggested. If you can try and get into somebody’s wheel and follow them up you will save some energy but don’t chase them if they are going too fast for you.
Remember the best bits abut hills are they generally have a downhill the other side to get your breath back on.0 -
A 21 mile ride is definitely not a "sportive" so that's possibly my bad. The OP mentioned the need to train so if pushing yourself beyond talking pace for a few minutes in an hour is over complicating things perhaps one of us needs to check the title of this particular thread and forum.Imposter wrote:But we're not talking about the etape though, are we? As far as I'm aware, we're talking about a 21 mile route with a 7-8% climb. Most people with basic cycling fitness should be able to handle that within a reasonable time. Last time I checked, basic cycling fitness was best achieved by simply riding a bike and by the sound of it the OP is already comfortable at double that distance. Like I say - no 'training' needed. Knocking out intervals on her longer rides might indeed bring her fitness on, but that wasn't what was being asked. Don't over-complicate what should be a very straightforward issue.0 -
Toks wrote:A 21 mile ride is definitely not a "sportive" so that's possibly my bad. The OP mentioned the need to train so if pushing yourself beyond talking pace for a few minutes in an hour is over complicating things perhaps one of us needs to check the title of this particular thread and forum.
We are definitely in the training forum, and the thread title definitely has the word 'training' in it. But 'training' is one of those words which is often mis-used - and should sometimes be substituted with the word 'cycling'. I would suggest this is one of those cases.0 -
Imposter wrote:Toks wrote:A 21 mile ride is definitely not a "sportive" so that's possibly my bad. The OP mentioned the need to train so if pushing yourself beyond talking pace for a few minutes in an hour is over complicating things perhaps one of us needs to check the title of this particular thread and forum.
We are definitely in the training forum, and the thread title definitely has the word 'training' in it. But 'training' is one of those words which is often mis-used - and should sometimes be substituted with the word 'cycling'. I would suggest this is one of those cases.
I think you're being a bit unfair. This is the definition of a Sportive on Wikipedia
"cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling event, typically held annually"
Therefore if the OP is taking part in a sportive. It may not be as long a sportive you would like to enter but I think you have to understand that different people are at different stages on their journey to Olymic cycling gold and the OP has a genuine concern about an aspect of the ride he is going to take part in.0 -
Oh deary me, this will teach me to post on the "training forum" while watching the footy. Now peeps can re define the term "sportive" if they like. But a ride of ~21 miles is now a "sportive" Really?? I know the OP is a beginner and is/was looking for guidance, training advice and possibly encouragement. I gave advice based on what I know of "sportives" so no probs in this instance it wasn't quite right since its not a really a "sportive". Anyway I still want to encourage him/her in their cycling endeavours and hope the "ride" goes well. Let us know Suzygarbo :-)0
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PhunkyPhil wrote:I think you're being a bit unfair. This is the definition of a Sportive on Wikipedia
"cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling event, typically held annually"
Therefore if the OP is taking part in a sportive. It may not be as long a sportive you would like to enter but I think you have to understand that different people are at different stages on their journey to Olymic cycling gold and the OP has a genuine concern about an aspect of the ride he is going to take part in.
A sportive is a bike ride - I already get that - and so, I suspect, does everyone else on the thread including the OP. Not sure how I am being 'unfair'. In this case, we are talking about a 21 mile bike ride when the OP is already comfortable riding double that distance. All she has to do in order to complete the ride is simply carry on riding, which by the sound of it is well within her ability already. That answers the question. If the question was different, then my answer might have been different. But it wasn't, so it isn't.0 -
suzygarbo wrote:I've had my new road bike for a month tomorrow and have done 200 miles, its going really well and I can feel my fitness getting better. I have signed up for my first sportive in 5 weeks time for something to train towards. Does anyone have any tips / advice on how or what would help build muscles and stamina in that time as there is 1 massive bank. I go out Tuesday nights Thursday nights (20 miles each) and 30/40 miles on a Sunday at the moment which I have just upped from half that.
Forget the 1/2wits who seem to think that unless you can ride 100 miles on one leg in under 4 hours you're just not trying ... they are just ignorant twots who cannot see beyond the end of their stem.
It sounds like you're already doing the right sort of things - I guess you're aiming to do the ~20 miles at a reasonable pace. It also sounds like you have a small mental block on the hill - 8% isn't flat, it's a hill - hopefully not too long - but it can be ridden if you train for it.
Ideally you'd spin up the hill in a low gear - putting the emphasis on your CV system - but I'll bet that you'll get down to the bottom gear and grind up slowly - it doesn't matter - honestly. Don't feel a wimp if you have to stop either - obviously try not too, but if you have to you could always put a foot down for a minute or two.
I think Interval training may have been mentioned - it's a great way to increase your overall speed as your legs, heart & lungs get used to pushing hard for a short period - that becoming normal, then you can push for a bit longer ...
in 5 weeks you're not going to massively increase your speed, unless you can ride full time, but you could make good progress.
Anyway - well done for entering the sportive - the 63 won't seem so far soon....
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Slowbike wrote:
Forget the 1/2wits who seem to think that unless you can ride 100 miles on one leg in under 4 hours you're just not trying ... they are just ignorant twots who cannot see beyond the end of their stem.
I've had another read of the thread, and I can't see where anyone has said anything remotely like that. Good rant though...0 -
Imposter wrote:Slowbike wrote:
Forget the 1/2wits who seem to think that unless you can ride 100 miles on one leg in under 4 hours you're just not trying ... they are just ignorant twots who cannot see beyond the end of their stem.
I've had another read of the thread, and I can't see where anyone has said anything remotely like that. Good rant though...
Thanks 0 -
Imposter wrote:
I've had another read of the thread, and I can't see where anyone has said anything remotely like that. Good rant though...
They were thinking it! :twisted:0 -
Nothing to do with this thread but why the f*** do people use phrases like 'my bad' is it cool to be down with kids, speak f***king English :roll:0
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diamonddog wrote:Nothing to do with this thread but why the f*** do people use phrases like 'my bad' is it cool to be down with kids, speak f***king English :roll:
English is whatever people say. So he is speaking English. At least he's not swearing for which there is definitely no need.0 -
markhewitt1978 wrote:
English is whatever people say. So he is speaking English. At least he's not swearing for which there is definitely no need.
Where are the swear words? you must have a filthy mind. Pray tell what does 'my bad' actually mean?
It is a recent phrase as are many that is not an established English term.0 -
diamonddog wrote:Where are the swear words? you must have a filthy mind. Pray tell what does 'my bad' actually mean?
It is a recent phrase as are many that is not an established English term.
Staring out swear words doesn't magically make them not swear words you know.
OED has an entry, which it acknowledges it as North American but the fact it's in there means it's 'English'
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definitio ... 1?q=my+bad0 -
The english spelling is 'starring' by the way
You have your opinion I have mine let's beg to differ.0 -
Aww bless, you sweet fluffy little dinosaur! fancy getting you're self all aroused over the phrase "my bad" (found in the online Oxford English Dictionary by the way).Never mind you've provided a nice little side show and I see you've even managed to muster up a swear word. Well done you, nice and juvenilediamonddog wrote:Nothing to do with this thread but why the f*** do people use phrases like 'my bad' is it cool to be down with kids, speak f***king English :roll:
Oh you're such a naughty monkey - you're working that proverb "ignorance is bliss" to its maximum, aren't you?diamonddog wrote:Where are the swear words? you must have a filthy mind. Pray tell what does 'my bad' actually mean?
It is a recent phrase as are many that is not an established English term.0
