[Closed] recommend a sportive for newbie.

Ahhh, then the Wiggle Southern Series is useless to you.

bowland badass 😈

I'm looking to gain some experience riding in a pack.

How about going out with a local club....cheaper than a sportive, and a bit more relaxed.

A lot of clubs will run a mid week chain, which is open to all. Most sportive's I have done have been filled with a lot of riders who don't seem to have any experience of riding in a pack, and you can get some quite poor riding. But they are fun if you want a bit of that 'event' feel, but the price of some is bonkers this year. Local chain gangs, and perhaps the odd race is by far more fun and cheaper. That said, some of the longer standing sportive's, like the Phil ligget, have a friendly feel. I find some of the newer ones, attract the 'trail centre warriors' of the road; posh car, pricey under used bike and little manners or ability.

I'm hoping to get in the 3 peaks for the first time, but I'm worried about the rd sections. the sportive idea sounded good as it will be the most like a race (without being a race) 😐

Midweek club runs are like that, they tend to have fast and slow groups if you are worried about getting dropped.

Just go out with your local roadie club on their sunday run, it's usualy about £18/year mainly for BC membership, although there is the obligatory mid ride coffee and cake stop!

join a road club and start with the weekend club run, then if your happy and can keep up, midweek chaingang. I wouldn't suggest starting with the chaingang if your not happy riding on wheels. You won't be thanked if you cause an accident.

far better going out with a club if you want experience of riding in a pack properly. Sporives are filled with people latching onto various groups that have formed so very little structure to them. You won't learn much.

ok cheers guys - I'll contact lanc rd club (they meet not too far away)