Ukce spotive coming up and bad weather

sigorman85

As the title says its forecast as bad weather and it's the first time in going to do 70 miles probably not the best situation... They have advised that 3 inertubes will be handy and warm water proof kit ...what else should I expect...pretty annoying as I have been looking forward to this local sportive ...

slowmart

It sounds perverse but try and enjoy the adverse weather and look on the bright side as it will take your mind off your body telling you to slow down or rest but as it's November, the UK, what did you realistically expect weather wise?

Personally If I had forked out for this I'd put my mudguards on and ensure my attitude was right. You'll be fine and don't forget the old adage. There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.

Share your experience on Monday and if you wimp out you'll regret it but given your signature i'm sure your better half will be kicking you out of the door now you've paid for it. I have the same motivation…

sigorman85

Haha brilliant im never going to wimp out I just see it more of a challenge...and true about what was I expecting with it being November....a nice dry crisp winters day perhaps???

I'm sure il share it with everyone on here as it's going to be on to remember

Also is it worth wearing bibtights as there just going to get soaked? As I've seen on some of the wet ride this year that people are in shorts/bib shorts with there rain jacket or what not over the top

slowmart

You may be over thinking this :shock:

How many hours do you expect to take? If your out for 5 hours :shock: and your soaked through at the start you will be dry when you've finished, as long as the rain keeps off.

Bibs are worn for comfort and i would be looking at the temperature on the day and dress/layer accordingly. This time of year always is about making compromises, relax , enjoy and all this focus on attire and you've missed the most important aspect.

Recovery.

A decent bottle chilled or breathing air for your triumphant return

Martin bikeradar

If the weather is certain to be bad, you'll be wet through soon enough and you'll get by on a combination of that 'wet suit effect' and that you are exercising and generating heat. I'd layer up to ensure the wind chill doesn't take away the warmth too much. Consider a 'boil in the bag' big yellow rain cape thing - though if you're going for it, it'll get uncomfortable and irritating. You might be better off woth one of the lightweight packaway ones. I'd ditch glasses and get a good brimmed cap under your helmet. Full length bibs better than leg warmers which can slip down when heavy with water. Neoprene gloves a great idea. Mudguards essential. Clip ons will do. Remember to keep drinking as you forget when it's wet somehow. Don't forget dry gear for the end and getting home. Get good tyres on and easy wheels to remove/replace them: a puncture in bad conditions is so depressing!

sigorman85

Brilliant guys keep the info coming

MountainMonster

I recently started riding no matter what the weather, and I strangely enjoy it. There is something great about cycling along with a smile on your face while everyone else looks to be hating it.

Everything is purely a perception. Looking at the bright side of riding in bad weather motivates me, as it is something I wouldn't have considered until recently.

slowbike

70 Miles in the wet will be miserable if you get cold. You will get cold if you can't keep the wind off - it's this that wicks the heat away more quickly...

Personally I'm going for longs over shorts and waterproof overshoes, short and long sleeve top then my waterproofed top. Then on my hands I've got some wind proof gloves, but I'm going to try some surgeons gloves to keep them dry and carry a spare pair of gloves in case they get wet and cold - because that's the worst bit for me...

At least I'm only doing 40, but it will be with my newbie sister - so a bit slow .... Oh well, it's all riding!

DavidJB

I once rode the magnificat (130m) and it was heavy rain start to finish without it stopping once...was one of the worst experiences of my life and I'll never do it again.

Enjoy,

ai_1

Do you normally ride in wet weather or just stick to dry days?
If it's wet and you're not used to wet rides then it will be hard to know what to wear.
I'd almost probably wear tights, a baselayer, jersey, raincoat, overshoes and full finger gloves. If I was going to cruise then the baselayer would be long sleeve merino wool. If I was planning to push hard I'd probably just use a light short sleeved one.
The raincoat won't keep you dry as you'll sweat inside it anyway. However it will protect you from the wind and prevent evaporation so keeps you much warmer. If you're overheating you can always zip it down a little.

I have done quite a bit of riding in horrible winter weather but usually just moderate effort training. I don't think I'd be inclined to sign up for a Sportive in winter. I have done a couple of sportives in the wet including 5hrs of non-stop rain in one of them last year but it wasn't winter so not massively cold and that makes a big difference.

If you don't generally ride in cold, wet weather, the biggest risk is possibly cold feet. Fit mudguards and tape up any vents in the sole of the shoes and wear overshoes. Of course adding new components to the bike or using gear you're not used to without trying them in advance adds risk that something will go wrong whether it's a newly fitted tyre pinching a tube, mudguards coming loose, being too hot/cold, whatever...

zak3737

If the weather's gonna be that bad, why bother ?

Soaked to the skin, cold & wet, aint my idea of enjoyment !

lakesluddite

Just entered 'Portland, Dorset' on the BBC Weather pages for this weekend, and it isn't that bad?

Maybe the odd shower in the afternoons, mild temperatures - better than up here in Cumbria! Relax, it's never as bad as they say it's going to be anyway.

It is hammering down here in Ambleside at the moment though - just as they said it would be!

cougie

What do you wear normally for this kind of weather ?

I think the time for shorts is past now though - I'd be in winter tights. Last weekend was armwarmers, Short sleeves, decent gilet and 2/3 shorts. This weekend I think I'll be heading towards a jacket and heavier gloves.

Always take another race cape with you - whats fine for riding in isnt good when you're standing around fixing a flat or something.

slowbike

LakesLuddite wrote:

Just entered 'Portland, Dorset' on the BBC Weather pages for this weekend, and it isn't that bad?

Maybe the odd shower in the afternoons, mild temperatures - better than up here in Cumbria! Relax, it's never as bad as they say it's going to be anyway.

It is hammering down here in Ambleside at the moment though - just as they said it would be!

Portland can get Significantly different weather to other parts - this is closer to Poole anyway. But the forecast has improved for Sunday morning.

Why sign up for a winter sportive ? It gives the incentive to get out what ever the weather.

sigorman85

Yes the weather is getting better but it's not on portland where I live it's starts and finishes in bovington wool 20 miles away ...I signed up for the event as its a local one for me and I have never done a sportive event like this so it seemed a good idea with out having to travel to far ...

If anyone knows where this route goes it's got some good climbs that are very open so bad weather on these parts are not going to be fun.....

Any way decided on
Thermal bib tights
Base layer long sleeve
Long sleeve Jersey
Sealskin gloves
Wind /rain jacket (thin light ) castelli squadra
Over shoes (need to buy new ones tomorrow)

Anythink else?

dodgy

This is why I don't enter Sportives, you just don't know what's going to happen on the day (not just weather). I'd rather ride the same route on my chosen date.

But that's being a real wet rag, I appreciate lots of people get lots of pleasure from entering sportives in advance and using it as an excuse to up the mileage in the intervening time. So do what we all do when the going's tough, have the right kit, check your tyres now, remove as many potential problems as possible before the ride. And it sounds a cliche, but someone touched upon it further up the thread; 'choose your attitude'.

Have fun.

sigorman85

complected my first sportive(70miles) and really enjoyed it considering the weather.it was brilliant route and met a few fellow cyclists so ended up doing it in a group of 4 that really helped me ....

i took some advice from you guys on here and it really helped as its the first time ive done 70 miles!
i didnt have any problems until the last 3 miles where i started to cramp up

the weather was horrid so couldn't push it to much as a few people came off .other than that it was a well organized event with well stocked feed stations and medics out on motorbikes that even had track pumps!

see link on how i done
thanks for all the help and info guys :-)

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/634035496

IanRCarter

Well done, not a bad average for the distance in poor conditions and a few lumps thrown in to the mix.

Personally I find it tough going out in the rain on my own, but will usually be motivated to go out on a club ride in the rain, especially if it isn't raining when I set off. One extra item I'd add to your list for future wet rides is a cycling cap, a cotton one will do but you can also get waterproof ones and 'Belgian-style' ones for winter warmth (I've recently purchased the Rapha Winter Hat which is brilliant). Having a peak has a few benefits - rain/sweat will not drip down your forehead into your eyes, it will instead go down off the front of the peak (in the case of sweat, absorbed by the cap), it keeps a lot of rain water off your glasses/eyes, if you choose to take your glasses off in the rain then you won't get as much cold wind in your eyes which can make your eyes water, and, finally, it makes you look cool.

slowmart

Congratulations and great news you enjoyed the day and you popped your cherry 8)

Matthewfalle

Generally, Rule V - it's a few hours of your life that you may be a tad uncomfortable. It's nothing major-just man up and enjoy it.

In a perverse way, sometimes it's more fun to do these things when it's lashing down and a bit of a challenge rather than a summer ride through the park.

sigorman85

Cheers guys plan on getting a turbo for them horrendous days as the bike took a beating ..I couldn't belive the amount of wear on the brake blocks there pretty much on the limit and the bb needs a good strip down and chain and cassette could do with a deep clean ... I gave it a wash down at the finish line used some muc off ...it was ok but i won't be going out in a hurry to buy some any way that got most of the road dirt off ... But the rest will have to wait till Saturday

I no its a crime and thanks for all the support

Dorset_Boy

Not sure about the cliff edge you went over after 4 hrs 20 mins! I've not noticed that around Wool!

Well done though - presumably you started off in the dry as it didn't start raining in north Dorset until after lunchtime on Sunday.

sigorman85

Started in the rain and finished in the rain it stopped for about 30 mins

sigorman85

Started in the rain and finished in the rain it stopped for about 30 mins.... Not sure what happens with the massive drop off lol ..I no the garmin got really wet and the sd card started playing up ...maybe it was that