Training for a Sportive
Most cyclists will never cycle in the Tour de France so completing a cycling sportive usually in the days before a major professional cycle road race then comparing yourself against cycling legends is an amazing feeling.
Often past cycling greats take part in sportive cycling events with you.
Famous sportive events include L''Etape Du Tour is on closed roads held a few days before the Tour De France also La Marmote
Sometimes getting a place is the hardest part so you may need to sign up with a tour operator.
Don't forget that the pros will have followed the route you completed a few days later!
World wide Sportives are held in the following countries.
Belgium - Tour of Flanders www.sport.be/cyclingtour/rondevanvlaan-deren/2008/eng
France- La Marmotte and La Laurent Jalabert
Holland - Amstel Gold www.amstel-goldrace.nl
Italy – Grand Fondo Sportful northern Italy, Maratona dles Dolomites held in the spectacular Dolomites
Belgium - Gand Fondo Eddy Merckx www.bikeorganisations.be/
South Africa - Cape Argus Pick n Pay., Held in Cape Town South Africa probably the worlds largest timed cycle event outside Europe with over 35,000 cyclists. http://www.southafrica.info/about/sport/cycletour.htm
Spain - La Miguel Indurain, Bera Spain. www.laindurain.com
Switzerland - Gruyere Cycling Tour., Bulle.
United Kingdom holds many cycling sportives from February to November.
The famous ones include Birmingham to Oxford, Dragon Ride Wales, London to Cambridge , London to Oxford, Hampshire Hundred http://www.sportivecycling.org.uk/
A organizer who has been doing events for 20 years click onto http://www.bike-events.com/
Training and preparation for a cycling Sportives.
6 months before.
With GPS that record distance travelled and height climbed you should be able to train on similar climbs and terrain for your chosen event or at least know how much ascent you have completed on a ride.
Get use to regular to 1,000 calories before each ride and eating and drinking little and often carbohydrate rich foods. Aim for 300-500 calories per hour from solids and drinks. This all depends on your calorie requirements per hour and how you perform during training. Try and reach your upper limit and see how your energy levels are during the latter parts of your rides.
Carry extra food on rides otherwise when you carry enough food for your sportive it will make you feel sluggish.
Don't rely on the feed stations having enough food for you. They may run out of your favorite food or you may miss or drop vital supplies at a busy aid station.
Have it clear in your mind what drink and food is available sometimes water maybe in a different cycle bottle compared to a sponsored sports drink.
Correct gearing for the climbs, much better to have an easier no one asks what ratio they ask did you manage to cycle up every hill.
Get an easier cassette and practice with it.
4 weeks to go.
Take bike for MOT consider new brake blocks brakes and gears check. Put two new tyres on which can prevent punctures. You should by now have tried and tested clothing helmet gloves shoes etc.
3 weeks to go
Don't Panic!
Very few with feel they have done training!
2 weeks to go.
Avoid
Doing a last session especially in the last 2 weeks as you will Not recover in time.
Refrain from fiber foods race day to prevent an unnecessary pit toilet stop!
Time should be spent in the last 2 weeks on the most important part how to check to your accommodation what time do they serve breakfast?
How do I get to the start, park and ride?
Sportive day tips.
You may need to wear and place a competitor number, make sure it does not flap about or rubs on your legs. Some events require you to have a time chip to record your time and whereabouts during the event, as you ride across time mats.
Sportive mistakes.
Not carrying enough food for at least an extra 1 hour you may need to cycle back home or be held up. Refrain from fiber foods race day to prevent an unnecessary pit toilet stop!
Attaching a bike number to cables that stop the gears and brakes working.
Never sprint off at the start only you will remember most of us only have one sprint during an event save it for the finish.
Use the easiest gear up every hill save your strength.
Communicate in your group avoid obstructions and holes in the road that prevent crashes punctures.
Failing to concentrate in a large group and end up falling off and hurting yourself.
and bumps that cause earlier fatigue. For long distance nutrition sportive tips click on link- http://www.ironmate.co.uk/nutrition-info.htm