Sportive medals. What are they?

[2pies]

I just rode my first Sportive this weekend, an 86km ride, and finished 25th out of about 180.
My finishing time was listed as Silver standard.

What do these "standards" mean? Is it just a virtual pat on the back or do people actually aspire to get a gold?

Confused

 

[2PedalsTez]

Both, but riders will never admit to either!
Me? I tried, failed, so now enjoy the scenery and ruin everyone else's times by chatting too much

 

[DCLane]

Both, but riders will never admit to either!

At the Cheshire Cat 'collect your Mow Cop' medal stand I was behind two riders - one of whom missed out on Gold by 9 seconds. He admitted he was disappointed

 

[2pies]

OK. I suppose its just something to shoot for. I'm pretty confident I could get a Gold, but perhaps once I've done it a few times I may ease off and just enjoy the ride, as you said 2Pedas. Depends on how you're feeling, there's no pressure to ride really fast is there?

Another quick question, is it considered poor form to ride with head-phones in? When riding alone, I like to listen to music or podcasts. Not knowing what to expect, I didn't take any with me and didn't notice anyone else with them in either.

 

[Broadside]

I like listening to music on solo rides but for a sportive I prefer to chat to other riders as you meet such different people, on my most recent sportive I chatted for 20 miles to a builder and about 15 miles with a helicopter test pilot, it certainly broke the ride up for me.

I don't think it is particularly bad form to have headphones in but people will be less inclined to talk if they think you can't hear them. If you want the music on a sportive then wear them but if you want to chat then don't!

 

[User169]

Did a sportive last month which was sponsored by a brewery. The medal doubles as a bottle opener.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Did a sportive last month which was sponsored by a brewery. The medal doubles as a bottle opener.

Beer and cycling! What fresh hell is this?