[Closed] Sportives. What's the attraction?

The only sportive that vaguely appeals is the one on the Isle of Wight which took place on closed roads. However, the story goes that local grey-haired people and white van drivers* were upset having 'their' roads shut for a few hours of one day of the year was enough to stop it.

*Yes, I am generalising. Others were probably offended too.

This has been done to death hasn't it? Couple of points though. I did the Flanders sportive in April and as someone else said, the Belgians know how to do these really well. Quite cheap for closed road, really well run and seemed far more inclusive that in the UK (people on MTBs, shoppers, the lot), plus plenty of beer at the end. In contrast I did one in the UK in June and 1. lots of people taking themselves far too seriously and well over-biked and 2. It wasn't well organised i.e. the gps route and the signs were different in a couple of places. One guy at a feedstop at about 50 miles was having a meltdown because they didn't provide gels FFS.

I think when we talk about sportives, its good to remember that the UK ones aren't typical of others elsewhere.

I think when we talk about sportives, its good to remember that the UK ones aren't typical of others elsewhere.

What's a "UK" sportive? I've done everything from Ride London through to tiny events organised by a local club, baking their own cakes.

Riding an 'event', even if it's not a race.

I don't understand why so many people fail to see the appeal, I'm at least honest enough with myself to admit that I *always* ride harder when on the open road with lots of other cyclists around me. Also yes, the feed stations are handy as you can carry less.

Joining big, disorganised groups, chasing people ahead of you, or if you're a bit more honourable, starting first and feeling the thrill/terror of seeing that big group behind you slowly slowly gaining...

Also, and this is harder to explain, being in a timed event with other riders (even if it's not a race, as all the tedious pedants love to point out) almost gives you an excuse to take it all that little bit more seriously, means you feel that little bit less silly doing all those things you see the pros doing on telly even though you're struggling to maintain 17mph...

Try it, if you're confident on a bike around other riders, and don't mind giving into your inner child and just chasing anyone who goes past you, and of course aren't a miserable introvert, then you might enjoy it.

Pretty much all of this.

So do the STW pedants think this is a race or a sportive, or a race and a sportive?

http://www.golazocycling.com/Tour_of_Cambridgeshire/Gran_Fondo_Tour_of_Cambridgeshire.php

as a pedant i feel obliged to point out that the organisers state that it is both.

Gran Fondo is the cycling equivalent of the London Marathon with elite athletes starting in a Race (Gran Fondo Race) at the front followed by a Sportive (Gran Fondo Sportive).

I suppose I meant the Wiggle and Evans ones which are are typically called 'The **name of place** **some mythical beast which may or may not have a local connection** challenge' and have no history at all to speak of. My issue with those is that they aren't always well planned routes because of lack of local knowledge and being cynical, they promote events that help sell their products i.e. see Wiggles 'gravelcross' sportives - better get a gravel bike then.

I have this debate sometimes with others in our cycling club. I feel that there's a bit of snobbish traditionalism regarding sportives. Similar snobbish traditionalism seems to be creeping in from many quarters regarding e-bikes.

Back on topic, I massively enjoyed the couple of sportives I've done, for the following reasons:

- I wanted to take part in a mass-participation cycle event. If you don't get why that appeals to people, you will probably never "get" sportives (nor marathons and fun runs for that matter)
- I wanted to ride a route prepared by someone with local knowledge in an area I've not ridden in before
- I wanted the challenge of a bike ride. My first 100 miler was a sportive and I have no doubt it was made easier by the crowds, especially the cheering at the finish line
- I'm not fit enough, competitive enough nor committed enough to compete in a proper road race. I'll leave that to those who are. It's a surprisingly big step up from just participating in a sportive to actual racing.

I have done a Sportive this year did 3 last year and one 5 years before that.
They give me a fitness goal to work towards and I usually do them with people I dont see or ride with often. Dont see any harm in them.

being cynical, they promote events that help sell their products

That's how it works, whether it's the local sportive or a Grand Tour (or F1, or the Premiership, or...). Why do you feel that it's wrong? Genuinely curious.

I feel that there's a bit of snobbish traditionalism regarding sportives.

And I suspect it's often voiced by insecure bell ends who want to be seen to be the "right" kind of cyclist.

[quote=flange ]The only issue I have with them is people bragging about 'winning' them...until you've been shell'd out the back at Redbridge in a 4th Cat crit, you can't call yourself a racer...

I once "won" a sportive 😉 Little local event run by a club rather than a commercial thing, hence few enough people taking part that it was mainly a mass start roll out. Didn't have a big peleton like a proper race - at least not that I was aware of, but then I was in the "breakaway" group which formed within the first couple of miles. Gradually dropped people on the hills as it got tougher towards the end, though we did all stop to wait for one chap who'd had mechanical problems on one climb. Two of us left heading into the final tough climbs, I put in a big dig and then took it far too seriously and TTed to the end.

Yeah I've done racing, and would have been getting into breaks in a 3/4 race at the time. But then I've never really had a sprint, so never won one, though got points in a few more selective events where the field was thinned down by the climbs. The trouble is such events are few and far between - and then everybody else who doesn't have a sprint but can climb ships into them from miles around, my best ever result was in an event I travelled a long way to. There doesn't exist a 3/4 race on as tough a course as that of a typical sportive, let alone one which takes a route through the countryside where you can pretend you're on a stage of the TdF!

You'd also never get near the pointy end of a sportive unless you were a decent racer - that event was a bit of a freak as usually any local event will get a few of the local cat 1/2s out on it pushing hard.

Because a very high number of people are not willing or able (for numerous reasons) to just go out and ride a "big" route. The defintion of "big" will obviously vary between riders, for some people 60 miles will be a challenge / the furthest they've ever ridden, for other people that distance might be 200 miles.

So having someone else do the legwork, put in place a few basic safety nets like food stops, broom wagon, signage and be able to ride along knowing that you're on the best roads that area can offer (usually...) and in the company of lots of other like-minded folk is a very welcome confidence boost.

That's how it works, whether it's the local sportive or a Grand Tour (or F1, or the Premiership, or...). Why do you feel that it's wrong? Genuinely curious.

It's not typical of sportives really is it? Anyway, I don't think they're wrong. It they can engage with folk who wouldn't normally do a long ride then that's great. I just don't fancy doing one of theirs.

ooOOoo - Member
Because using a French word & 'kilometres' makes it sound glamorous?

CaptainFlashheart - Member
Hat.

Made me chuckle 😆

If I wasn't married I'd be doing lots more sportives because they do seem to attract quite large numbers of fit women riding alone or with a pal and women do look especially good in cycle gear. On the London 100 that was shortened to 86 thanks to the American hurricane I teamed up with a woman during the wettest bit but I think she only wanted me for my mudguards really; she didn't hang around when my tyre went flat. For the last 15 miles I shared the lead with another very fit woman who I have to say was, er, rather easy on the eye in lycra so sitting on her wheel gave me the encouragement I needed to get through Wimbledon and onto the Embankment.

So what you're saying is you didn't actually compete against the best in the World?

Well, top 100 in the country isn't a million miles away I'd have argued, but I'll let your point stand - whatever it was...?

[quote=finbar ]Well, top 100 in the country isn't a million miles away I'd have argued

😆 I've been top 100 in the country in a few different sports!

The first (and best) 'Sportive' I ever did was the Limoges-St.Flour Etape du Tour.
It was at the time one of the longest courses used for an Etape (240km).
I went there thinking survival rather than race, as during the build up to it,the UK cycling mags had been hyping it to the max (it's brutal ,people will die, very lucky if you finish, you have to average 18mph or you will be swept up by the broom wagon,etc,etc).I think this was because at the time Brits had the highest DNF reputation for Etapes.
Waiting at first light in Limoges with thousands of other riders will stay with me forever.
Very ,very nervous about pedalling off in such a big crowd,then the voice of the starter "Une, Deux, Trois, Allez!". It was a truly magical moment as we all clicked in, no bumps, falls or faff just swooping out of the city like a big flock of birds. Closed roads, cheering French crowds at most small towns and villages, it was amazing. If people can get anywhere close to that kind of experience in the UK,good luck to them. Oh,and to put it in prospective (race wise),the French rider that was fastest on the day would have been well outside the time limit on the proper tour stage. 🙂

@aracer

My neice has been world champion in an event*

* not many 54kg female power lifters in the world, in fact no one else on the podium 😆

Racing on an open public highway is illegal

The difference between road race and sportive is not a "quirk of terminology". They are very different in format, legal status and standards of organisation.

I'd recommend Audax as well. You've got to ride pretty hard to trouble the lower time limits, and if you really feel the need for speed, surely you'd enter a race, not a sportive?

I've done a few Spanish sportives, and they're great. Closed roads, feed stops, new mountains to ride up, company... what's not to like? And they're definitely treated as races.

You'd also never get near the pointy end of a sportive unless you were a decent racer

Dunnno about that: back in 2013, I had a couple of "gold" times and top ten fastest in sportives. Then I did La Marmotte and grovelled round, finishing about halfway.

What, and you couldn't just roll up on any Sunday and run that course yourself?

Not running down the middle of all the roads unhindered by traffic, no.

I never wanted to do a sportive until the Velothon brought its closed roads to town. I hated it. 15,000 cyclists was far worse than Sunday morning traffic, and a lot more dangerous. Couldn't ride fast in a pack, was covering the brakes all the time to avoid people blundering around taking each other out. And I was £70 out of pocket too or whatever it was.

I can honestly say without cynicism I'd rather ride it on my own or with a mate, and without all the other cyclists.

It's the road equivalent of trail centres isn't it (and yes I use trail centres but don't ride sportives).

Can't be bothered/lack the skills or knowledge to put together a decent route?

Want feed stops cos you don't know what/how much to carry?

Don't have any friends?

Want to get into the scene but find that every other rider you come across is a scowling, Strava hunting freak?

Ride a sportive to tick all the boxes

I have done a couple of sportives, and am planning on doing more of them next year rather than racing!

I did the tour of the Black Country last year and it was great fun! A nice mix of roubaix style roads and a meandering tour of the area where I grew up! As AA said riding with your mates can be good fun, and they give you something to aim for! I should probably also admit I also do racing on Zwift so I am bit of a heretic

It's the road equivalent of trail centres isn't it (and yes I use trail centres but don't ride sportives).

Can't be bothered/lack the skills or knowledge to put together a decent route?

Want feed stops cos you don't know what/how much to carry?

Don't have any friends?

Want to get into the scene but find that every other rider you come across is a scowling, Strava hunting freak?

Ride a sportive to tick all the boxes

Sounds more like enduro tbh

😀

imnotverygood - Member
Incidentally. Do running forums get people popping up saying
" I don't understand the appeal of the London Marathon when you can just step outside your front door, run 13 and a bit miles and then run back again."

Yes regularly

I did London mara once - ok but would never do is again for the simple reason that there are far too many runners to make it enjoyable. Ditto sportiness for me - although will be "racing" one later this year 😉 with a mate!!

I do like the way sportive organisers colour the countryside with nice bright signs that last much lionger than natural leaves. Off road versions even better. Local countryside [s]littered[/s] adorned by them.

I've done one in my life, the tour of the borders in 2014 i think

Motivated me to put in far longer training rides than i had done before, and riding for 80 miles in a beautiful part of the world on closed roads was a joy

All for the cost of 40 quid, which I saved the night before by not going to the pub

I've never done a sportive but have done some closed road running races in London and Edinburgh and those were fun, mainly because we were running through the centre of the city on closed roads.

I don't really fancy sportives for some reason, although lots of folks in my club really enjoy them.

London marathon is a race. Sportives are not.

very fit woman who I have to say was, er, rather easy on the eye in lycra so sitting on her wheel gave me the encouragement I needed to get through Wimbledon and onto the Embankment.

Euphemism?

It's the road equivalent of trail centres isn't it (and yes I use trail centres but don't ride sportives)

Can't be bothered/lack the skills or knowledge to put together a decent route?

Want feed stops cos you don't know what/how much to carry?

Don't have any friends?

Want to get into the scene but find that every other rider you come across is a scowling, Strava hunting freak?

Verdict: Lazy analogy is lazy.

The are dates in the calendar a fixed point. I did the Tour de Mon on Sunday with my son. Tied it in with a weeks holiday, and met Terrahawk. What's not to like.
Tour of the Black Country is another fav, done everyone to date. Its a laugh.
We've done loads of off road ones. The mtb marathon series are fixed points in the year. Now as much social events.

****ing ****ers having a day out on their bikes the ****s, they should be ****ing choking the internet with ****ty trolling and threads about which tyres they need to avoid dog shit being flicked into their teeth the ****s

Like fasthaggis above with the French sportive I've done the Cape Argus race in Cape Town three times and loved the experience; I think it's about 32,000 riders and it's a real joy to blast along roads that are normally too dangerous for cyclists in a huge never-ending peloton of friendly people. The route is lined with enthusiastic spectators of all colours and the logistics and support are first class.

I have done only one sportive. The first Bealach na Ba one.

It put me clean off the idea. I thought it was just a ride to challenge yourself, not a competitive event. I only entered because the local shop was involved and I was about 18 when I last rode that route.

People continually wanting to form peletons were a PITA. I don't like to suck wheels and I don't like anyone too close to mine. (Not being antisocial, it's just when you're on a singlespeed you do it differently to gearies, eg attack hills until you die, spin out on the flats etc).

I can see the attraction though if you like group riding, plus the food stops, broom wagon etc, and if you're not used to riding distance or know the route it makes life simple. Also if you don't know the area, it's a good way to see its best - sportive routes usually seem to be well considered (but so are audaxes).

And if that gets more folk onto bikes, it's got to be good.

To be honest the only reason I enter sportives is to race my mates. Having an organised event facilitates this.

Velo Birmingham around here in the next few weeks, closing lots of my Sunday lanes...

I avoid them mainly because the standard of riding/spatial awareness is poor plus I don't need to do them when I have a lot of good riding close by and a group of friends to ride with.
A friend of mine is recovering from a scaphoid op involving a Ti screw after a nodder slammed their brakes on in front of him on the ride london sportive, could happen to anyone but if you surround yourself by that many nodders the chances of accidents increase greatly.
The only sportives I have done are the tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix where the standard of riding is generally good and if you leave at the right time you don't get too much traffic.
But I'm never going to do a sportive in this country.

Whilst many are disparaging About sportives (and the riding standards can be dire), they are a gentle introduction to competition. Our club gives awards based on distance and climbing at the end of the season (audaxes also count).

Indeed, had it not been for the excellent Isle of Wight/New Forest combo, I would not have joined Twickenham CC, as that's where I met some lovely riders who I rode with and felt right at home.

So a good place to dip the toes in if joining a formal cycling club seems a jump too far, and a good way to enter a competition once in a club if doing a TT or Cat 4 crashfest also looks too daunting.

They worked for me. UCI Grand Fondo tomorrow in Albi. That's a race dressed down to look like a Sportive. And it's going to be a hot hilly 90 miles. Ride London is basically a large Surrey League 2/3 road race at the pointy end too.

The Marathon doesn't really compare, because the pros go at the front. That wouldn't work for a 5AM pro race on bikes.

EDIT. And audaxes are a little on the slow side for me ;-). Aiming for an average of 37.7 km/hr for next year's 12.

To be honest, I just don't get why there are millions of other people who don't like cycling EXACTLY the way I do it. I just wish I could tell them how wrong they all are.

Bet some of them are even on here. YOURE DOING IT WRONG!!!

London marathon is a race. Sportives are not.

You are without a doubt quite literally the first person ever to have pointed out that sportives are not a race. Bravo sir!!

[quote=thecaptain ]London marathon is a race. Sportives are not.

What real difference does that make to an average punter? Fundamentally the only difference is the lack of pros at the front of the field.

Maybe but some people were saying a sportive isn't a race and some were saying riding one is just the same as the London marathon. statements which are not simultaneously correct. Aren't any pros in most road races (running) but they are still races.