First sportive
Badgers0580
Posts: 10
Hi there I have been riding for about 3 weeks and have signed up for a 34 mile sportive and was wondering the best way to build up my distance I got about 6 weeks, I done 18 miles last nite in 1hr 3mins is that any good for a newbie cheers matt
0
Posts
If you have to, just knock the pace down a touch and if you still have plenty in the legs towards the end then go a bit harder then.
Giant TCX
My 18 mile commute takes me 1:10, and I've been doing it for years! To be fair it is hilly!
You'll be fine - the jump from 18 to 34 won't seem that much. Just increase your distance by 3-5 miles per ride, and you'll be there in no time. Six years ago my 18 mile commute used to kill me, now I extend the commute home to 30-40 miles just to feel like I've made it worthwhile.
I was really inmpressed by my own performance and they clearly didn't give a censored - why would they? Just remember that it's your event, for you, ride it and enjoy it and you'll be fine.
Voltaire
Talking about the day: a few tips from someone who has done 20 plus sportives in the last two years if I may...
Firstly: IT'S NOT A RACE.... go at your own pace and enjoy yourself.
Secondly, make sure your bike and you are in good condition and carry whatever you need for the ride. While it is likely that there will be at least one food stop along the way, take some food with you. You should also fill your water bottles up at home.... sometimes the water at sportives just doesn't taste nice. Also, take at least one spare innertube/pump/ tyre levers with you. Trust me, walking any distance in cycling shoes is not something you want to do. You may wish to take more kit with you than this, but this is the minimum.
Thirdly....have I said IT'S NOT A RACE.... although expect some riders to treat the ride as such. Stay left unless overtaking which should ALWAYS be done to the right. And remember, normal rules of the road apply so that red light means STOP.... (car drivers could do with learning that as well!!!). Expect some close passes, especially from chain gangs. It's irritating so chase them down and give them a piece of your mind!.... talking about pacing, I often try to find someone I know I am faster than and sit 20 or so metres behind them for a few miles to ensure I don't go off to fast. If however, you are a nice person unlike me, working together saves energy and will get you round quicker.
Fourthly... make sure you get your kit ready the night before and arrive at the venue in good time. No point in rushing around before you set off and REMEMBER YOUR CYCLING SHOES...... (yes, I have forgotten them twice now).
Have I mentioned that it's not a race? Given that, there will not be a "sweep team" following along later to collect your gel wrappers, so take them home with you! Yes, they will make your kit sticky but then, washing them is something your wife/girlfriend/mother will love to do for you......yes, sexist statement but frankly, she would rather do the washing than let me mess about with the machine.
Also, if people have come out to watch/help out, remember to say: "Thank you" to them. After all, they don't have to come out on a Sunday to watch a load of fit young men in lycra did they......
Finally: I am sure I have forgotten something, but ENJOY YOURSELF.
I think if you can do 18miles in a hour, completing 34 shouldnt be a problem, pacing is the key for me, I know what is a comfortable pace for me to hit, ~ 15mph, and I stick to it as best I can, and just try to stay feeling comfortable.
normally I find the first 10-15miles are actually slower pace because youll be caught in bunches/groups of people who might be slower than you, or may themselves be pacing it, or are close enough to your speed you cant really overtake (or if you do you constantly get retaken), I dont sit on their wheel as such but usually follow a few bike lengths back and just use them as pace setters, the benefit of that is by pacing you will find you have more energy to use nearer the end, when lots of people who just went full gas from the off are really struggling to finish.
do note where the climbs are so you are prepared for them, and take as much food as you think youll need. sportives do provide stuff, but its not a banquet they put out for you, sometimes its here have this cookie and this small sport drink and a piece of banana, which might not be what you need to keep energy levels topped up.
also maybe not so much of an issue on 34 miles, but keep hydrated, dont wait till you are thirsty to drink.
I find chunking the distance down into little bits helps so when youve done 3.4 miles, you are 10% completed, 6.8 20% , over 12 miles and you are 1/3rd complete and so on.
Contrary to the above; everything is a race.
As Garry H says, some will treat this like a race. Spot them before the start line warming up to threshold, and hang on to their wheel as long as you can. In the last mile or two overtake them and take the glory.
Is this a joke? Someone who averages 18 mph and asks for training advice to ride 34 miles?
If it's not a joke... then look, I have been riding for over 20 years... occasionally I manage to average 18mph, not very often... I am not old or fat or out of shape... I can ride 200 miles without too much bother... I think you are seriously over thinking this... anyone can ride 34 miles, I know guys who weigh 22 stones and can ride a lot further than that... let alone someone who can average 18 mph
To OP, I'd increase your distance you ride slowly, to the sacrifice of speed. I average 18mph to and from work, but found dropping to 16mph still felt quick enough, but I found my legs lasted longer.
Good luck!
The reality is that the OP doesn't need any advice. The distance is comfortably within his ability and he should just get on with it and enjoy the day. This thread is a waste of time
Remember to ride your own event pace that way you won't destroy yourself too early like I did in my first one.
He might average 18mph around pan flat Cambridgeshire but the sportive might be somewhere more hilly.
OP: I'd say to look to average 16Mph to the feed stop, have a decent break and then see if you can better your average speed on the way back in.
Which one you doing?
Yup yup, you'll be fine.
1 question I have is how the do you put your number on the bike?!
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour
And remember to take it off 3 months later
This. Most definitley this.
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour
Normally at a running event you will be provided with them if you pick your number up on the day which in this case for the ride you do.
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour
last few Ive done theyve been provided, though that said I remember on my first one a few years back now I used clothes pegs to attach the number to my top, worked quite well actually even if I did look like a complete idiot
its trying to work out the best place to attach the cable ties to your bike thats the tricky bit as you suddenly find youve got way more clutter and cables getting in the way than you realised.
Remember to think about after the ride too... what will you wear to get home? Do you want any specific post-ride recovery/treats?
Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
Easty commuter
Tripster AT