Is riding a sportive course the night before wrong?

[jack smith]

I dont think it is . Basically theres a sportive up my way i missed the deadline for, im doing the larger harder version in two weeks though for charity but the smaller version following the same route is tomorrow morning, anyway i noticed the signs out tonight ready for tomorrow so i thought id just follow the route for some practice. is this frowned upon as i didnt pay the £25 for the priveladge? But tbh its a public road anyone could ride anyday anyway, i think im over thinking this at this early hour.

 

[slowmotion]

It's on public roads. If people put up signs, what are you supposed to do.....close your eyes and look in the opposite direction? I don't have a problem with it if you're not going to be riding with the people who paid.

 

[User6179]

I dont think it is but something in the back of my mind is telling me its abit of a d*ck move. Basically theres a sportive up my way i missed the deadline for, im doing the larger harder version in two weeks though for charity but the smaller version following the same route is tommorrow morning, anyway i noticed the signs out tonight ready for tommorrow so i thought id just follow the route for some practice. is this frowned upon as i didnt pay the £25 for the priveladge? But tbh its a public road anyone could ride anyday anyway, i think im over thinking this at this early hour.

I did 90% of my local Sportive, didnt pay but when I got back I donated a tenner to the charity through paypal which is a tenner more than another charity ride gives to charity which I also contributed to from sponsership , will do the same next year !

 

[slowmotion]

I did 90% of my local Sportive, didnt pay but when I got back I donated a tenner to the charity through paypal which is a tenner more than another charity ride gives to charity which I also contributed to from sponsership , will do the same next year !

The donation is a great idea. Well done.

 

[User6179]

The donation is a great idea. Well done.

My friend raised over a grand doing his sportive , tenner of me even though I told him the Sportive was just a money making exercise , he thought part of his entrance fee went to charity which it did not !

 

[ianrauk]

It's the public highway. Just pay yourself £25 if it makes you feel better.

 

[Big Nick]

If the roads aren't closed you can ride it at the same time if you want not just the night before.........just don't try using the feed stations !!!!!

 

[martint235]

I dont think it is but something in the back of my mind is telling me its abit of a d*ck move. Basically theres a sportive up my way i missed the deadline for, im doing the larger harder version in two weeks though for charity but the smaller version following the same route is tommorrow morning, anyway i noticed the signs out tonight ready for tommorrow so i thought id just follow the route for some practice. is this frowned upon as i didnt pay the £25 for the priveladge? But tbh its a public road anyone could ride anyday anyway, i think im over thinking this at this early hour.

Never really understood sportives. They appear to be for people who cannot look at a map and follow a route. Who can't be arsed to carry enough food for 100 mile bike ride (hardly a fridgeful). And who like to race in close confines on unknown roads and surfaces despite the fact they have no experience of racing or close group riding.

Am I being harsh?

Anyway to answer the OP, just get out there and ride it. If it was close by and I was fit, I'd ride it with you

 

[cyberknight]

I know of a club member who has done sportives on the day without paying and even used the food stops , no one noticed although i thought it a bit naughty .
Although i think they can be overpriced the organizers are providing food, drink etc and peoples time to organize and run the event.
If you want to ride the route go for it , even on the day i would say its ok as long as your not taking the mickey like above.

 

[Drago]

Go for it. It's a public road.

 

[palinurus]

Not only not wrong, but to be encouraged I think.

Night riding is great. It's what the end of summer/ early autumn is all about.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Not only not wrong, but to be encouraged I think.

Night riding is great. It's what the end of summer/ early autumn is all about.

I was out on my local roads a few years back on the same day as the Tour of Pembrokeshire sportive. Some sort of worthy in a high vis jacket slowed his motorcycle down alongside me and asked, "Where's your helmet, you know it's compulsory?" (One of the reasons I won't go within a mile of their stupid event). A reply of, "Oh you are awful, but I like you" sent him on his way with a puzzled look. He was standing at the next junction talking to the marshalls when I approached and stopped peering to see where my number was when I turned off route giving him a saucy wink as I passed.

 

[Hip Priest]

Sportive riders are paying for feed stations, mechanical assistance, timing, t-shirts and goodie bags. As long as you're not taking advantage of any of those, I don't see the problem with riding the same route as a sportive, on the day or otherwise.

 

[Hop3y]

It's just a route you set out for yourself and there happened to be signs there..

 

[TheDoctor]

As others have said - it's a public road. The rider fees pay for stuff like feed stations and mechanical support, which you're not using.