Just how competitive are sportives ?

[MikeW-71]

I would like to challenge myself on this I think, as I generally ride with friends at an easy, leisurely pace taking plenty of stops along the way. My way of thinking is that this will give me a chance to test myself at a slightly quicker pace than usual, but at the same time I know it's important not to burn myself out too quickly.
Thanks guys, just wanted to know a bit more on what to expect

In that case, do the first half at your usual leisurely pace and if you still feel good, push a bit harder on the second half.

I didn't and paid the price.

 

[Doyleyburger]

In that case, do the first half at your usual leisurely pace and if you still feel good, push a bit harder on the second half.

I didn't and paid the price.

You paid the price ?
How big a ride was yours ?

 

[MikeW-71]

You paid the price ?
How big a ride was yours ?

50 miles... with 4500ft climbing.

Set off feeling great (even if it was freezing) and merrily sped up the first few inclines. Then the steep stuff began. By mile 35 I felt completely knackered and quite a few rest stops followed until I dragged myself back to the start and found a heater to sit beside.

Basically I wasn't prepared for the amount of climbing.

http://app.strava.com/activities/42117443

 

[Doyleyburger]

This one isn't as much climbing as that 3,300 feet or so in 45 miles miles and the two major climbs are at the beginning (iv done them before).
I'll try and pace myself for the first half but can't make any promises ha ha

I'll take a look at your strava link now

 

[Doyleyburger]

For the amount of climbing you done, that's not a bad average to be fair.

 

[MikeW-71]

After hitting the wall at 35 miles, I lost all interest in speed, I just wanted to get back under my own (much reduced) power. I was pleased to have completed it, but knew that I had been a bit over-ambitious. Wheel-sucking an MTB uphill at 4mph is somewhat humbling.

Your distance and climb matches one of my regular favourite rides now

 

[Graham]

I love sportives and loon around pretending to be in the Tour de France. In fact, on the next one I'm going to give someone the Armstrong 'look' before powering away from them on a climb! Obviously I will have weighed them up for a couple of miles first and taken on 3/4 gels beforehand to make sure I don't look like a tool when then sail past me. I like having the route marked out for me as I hate stopping when I'm riding and I can then use the route for my future rides instead of having to check the map like some sort of rambler. I like to test myself against other riders and would not enter a sportive unless it was timed, otherwise it's more like a roll around the lanes without much purpose. I find it hard to believe that people go out and spend £2k on bikes and kit and then don't want to get a bit competitive on it in a sportive.

All tongue in cheek of course, each to their own!

 

[MikeG]

Two blokes on a bike..........of course it's competitive!!! However much each may pretend otherwise. 500 blokes on a bike: same principle, but the absolute key is the pretense that it isn't

Mike

 

[Herzog]

So what exactly is the difefrence between a "sportive" and an "audax"? I've now done a few audaxes, but was labouring under the impression that sportives were, well, er...sportier?

A beard...

 

[Banjo]

Audax is a club that exists purely to promote long distance cycling with rides from 100 to 1400 kms on the calendar. Even further in some cases.Audax UK allows non members to enter rides .

Sportiffs generally exist mainly to line the organizers pockets though some are run to raise money for various charities.

Nobody "wins" an audax as finishing times arent published (everyone that finishes is a winner) .You have a cut off time to get to each control in order to qualify as a finisher.

The highlight of Audax in the UK is the London Edinburgh London ride. In France its Paris Brest Paris .

 

[winjim]

It's sporty meaning fun, rather than sporty meaning competitive.

Or it should be anyway...

 

[Doyleyburger]

Well i did the sportif today. Great course, although very tough !
Never ridden in such extreme conditions though. ......strong head and cross winds and heavy rain. Went at my own pace and ended finishing the ride in a reasonable time considering the elements were against us. Thoroughly enjoyed

 

[Broadside]

Good effort well done. Now get yourself booked on a 65-70 miler sportif, I remember my first was a bit of an eye opener but in a good way

 

[screenman]

Well i did the sportif today. Great course, although very tough !
Never ridden in such extreme conditions though. ......strong head and cross winds and heavy rain. Went at my own pace and ended finishing the ride in a reasonable time considering the elements were against us. Thoroughly enjoyed

Well done, there are plenty of people calling themselves cyclists who would not of gone out on the bike today.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Good effort well done. Now get yourself booked on a 65-70 miler sportif, I remember my first was a bit of an eye opener but in a good way

Booked in for a 105 miler at end of April. 10,000 ft of climbing......doh