sportives fixed or so?

[rugbyluke]

Hi all,

Have anyone done a sportive? On fixed or SS?

I did the new forest 100 this year, and looking at more but couldn't help but think if sportives can be done fixed/SS or will I be left behind?

 

[ianrauk]

Ride a sportive on a Chopper or a Brompton if it takes your fancy. Ride what you like.

There will always be someone quicker then you as there will always be someone slower.
Sportives are not races, though most pretend to race.

 

[Dogtrousers]

As I've now entered for a sportive - but not done one yet - I count myself an expert.

Check the event regulations. For example, Velothon Wales say:

The following bike(s) are forbidden at Velothon Wales – bikes with disc wheels, handlebar extensions, recumbent bicycles, electronic bikes of any kind, fixed gear bikes / single speeds / fixies (allowed with two independent brakes and a free hub), any attachment parts that endanger other riders (e.g. kick stands that stick out), bike trailers, child seats, bike bags, backpacks, bottle cages under or behind the saddle, drinking bottles that are made of non-breakable or hard materials like aluminium or hard plastic. Riders wishing to take part on a tandem together will need to enter each competitor individually and pay the applicable fee.​

Quite what the logic is in some of those exclusions, I don't know.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

http://www.aukweb.net/_resources/files/results/awards/FWC-SFW-FAQs.pdf

Edit: sorry wrong link....

http://www.aukweb.net/_resources/files/results/awards/fxdregs.pdf

 

[Tin Pot]

...How do you ban certain vehicles from public roads again?

 

[Dogtrousers]

...How do you ban certain vehicles from public roads again?

Velo Wales is a closed roads event. I dunno what difference that makes.

You can certainly "ban" people from using your feed stations and getting a "free" banana, and you can certainly refrain from giving them a plastic medal, which will really show them.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

As I've now entered for a sportive - but not done one yet - I count myself an expert.

Check the event regulations. For example, Velothon Wales say:

The following bike(s) are forbidden at Velothon Wales – bikes with disc wheels, handlebar extensions, recumbent bicycles, electronic bikes of any kind, fixed gear bikes / single speeds / fixies (allowed with two independent brakes and a free hub), any attachment parts that endanger other riders (e.g. kick stands that stick out), bike trailers, child seats, bike bags, backpacks, bottle cages under or behind the saddle, drinking bottles that are made of non-breakable or hard materials like aluminium or hard plastic. Riders wishing to take part on a tandem together will need to enter each competitor individually and pay the applicable fee.​

Quite what the logic is in some of those exclusions, I don't know.

Some of those seem strange, why say no single speed then say OK with two brakes and a free hub. I've done the Coventry Road Clubs Charity Reliability Ride on the fixed several times, quite why they should object to a fixed on a Sportive I'm not sure.

 

[Tin Pot]

Velo Wales is a closed roads event. I dunno what difference that makes.

You can certainly "ban" people from using your feed stations and getting a "free" banana, and you can certainly refrain from giving them a plastic medal, which will really show them.

Fair point.

I have enjoyed a couple if sportives but they are a bit silly really. The idea of them imposing rules just makes me giggle.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Some of those seem strange, why say no single speed then say OK with two brakes and a free hub. I've done the Coventry Road Clubs Charity Reliability Ride on the fixed several times, quite why they should object to a fixed on a Sportive I'm not sure.

Indeed. And why no recumbents? I expect it's a fear of accidents caused by mixing up bikes of different capability, they want a uniformity of machine. Whether it's sensible or justifiable I leave others to judge. Probably lurking at the back of all this is Elf n Safety, insurance and a fear of being sued.

I've not told them that I will be riding with mudguards. I'm afraid they won't let me in. And I definitely don't have any water bottles other than non-breakable ones. However, maybe I can source a breakable glass one just for the occasion.

 

[mjr]

And you can't use bar ends but I bet they allow those newfangled "drop" bars. It sounds like Velothon Wales really hate easy riders. And you can't have a child seat or trailer... so do they expect children to be bungee-strapped securely to the rear rack?

 

[DRHysted]

A work colleague did the Dunwich Dynamo on his fixie last year. So if you want to ride fixie then go for it.
I'm glad that that list of exclusions hasn't applied to any Sportive I've participated in, I'd fall foul of a few of them.

 

[Sharky]

I rode the Castle Ride in Kent {100 miles} about 4 years ago on 68" fixed. There were two sections that forced me to walk - Exedown and the road out of Rochester. The rest was pretty good. You tend to go faster than others on the upwards gradients and lose ground on the descents. The main drawback is the continual peddling, especially the last 30 miles and the discomfort on the contact points and shoulders and not being able to freewheel for a short while to give some relief.

But a great sense of achievement when you get to the finish.
Cheers Keith

 

[Old Plodder]

Sportives are supposed to challenge the rider, no matter what they ride!

Yes, it is perfectly OK to ride S/Spd or fixed on a Sportive.