[Closed] Sportives. What's the attraction?

Most people can't or don't want to find a route especially in an area they don't know.
Mechanical support provided
Food/drink provided
A chance to ride in a group that they don't get if they are not in a club.
A chance to participate in an 'event'

You may not see the appeal yourself, but the massive rise in popularity of sportives in the past few years implies that a lot of people do.

I bet you don't wave cheerily to other cyclists when you are out and about.

I get doing a charity ride

They're not serious. Not like those really serious races.

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... 8)

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.

and of course aren't a miserable introvert

If you're confident about your bike's condition, can read a map and don't need another t shirt, save £40-odd and sign up for an Audax instead,

flanagaj - Member
Can someone explain to me why so many folk part with their hard earned cash to cycle a route with a load of strangers...

Lots of lonely people out there, some ride bikes, some play scrabble, some go on dates.

Events like this offer a simple route into "being part of something" for some people, that's enough.

Well, that didn't take long.

(even if it's not a race, as all the tedious pedants love to point out

No pedantry at all. Racing on an open public highway is illegal. Closing roads is hard and expensive. Reason for popularity of Sportives solved.

scotroutes - Member
and of course aren't a miserable introvert
This is STW.

I mainly ride on my own but a sportive gives a nice change to be part of a group. They also force me to do a longer ride and away from my normal route. I wouldn't do one every week but every 3 months is a nice change

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

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."

I've done a few of the off road Evans ride-it or whatever they are called and the cake at the feed stations is worth the entry fee before you even think about having a nicely waymarked route in an area you don't usually ride. Don't know about the road versions as I don't understand why people want to ride on the road other than to get to the shops or pub

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

Hat.

No pedantry at all. Racing on an open public highway is illegal.

It is? 😯

I better tell all the other organisers, quick!

Its bike riding. With other people who like bike riding. And someone else makes your lunch.

It's exactly why Sportives "aren't races' although everyone treats them like they were.

Cake ...... you get cake

moonsaballoon - Member
Cake ...... you get cake

Gateau, shirley?

We've run a small sportive series for the last couple of years and have been gradually tweaking what we offer and gathering feedback over that period of time. I think for the riders who come on ours, it's a mixture of things:

- riding a route in an area they don't know well (for some), which has been designed by someone who does know the area well. (We seem to get good feedback on the routes and definitely don't use busy main roads!)
- not having to worry about navigation - yes, with a Garmin it's fairly easy, but not everyone who rides a bike has one, and not everyone who has one wants to worry about navigating with it.
- the food - not always a highlight on all sportives but I think it is on some.
- the camaraderie/competitive element/feeling of being part of an event. Not a race, but people are always keen to see how their times compare with others (and yes I know there's Strava, but again not everyone uses it).
- something to aim for/train for/commit to.

I'm sure there are other reasons too... horses for courses though and no-one is forced to enter an event if they don't want to.

How much is the entry fee and how much cake can you eat? Asking for a friend

It's not my thing as I like getting a little lost , have a fair level of fitness and more than anything time on the bike is often my quite time to relax alone

But people enjoy them so why complain about it

save £40-odd and sign up for an Audax instead

No big yellow arrows zip-tied to lamp posts on an audax...

Or smiling men in Hi-Vis hanging around on corners...

Or free cake....

But... weirdos (mostly the good kind).

I bet you don't wave cheerily to other cyclists when you are out and about.

and of course aren't a miserable introvert

I think it's great that people do them, but it would be nice if they were not corporate offerings and more of the money went to charity or back into the community.

can read a map

This is STW dear chap!

Same old shit different thread.

I'm intrigued by the running/marathon analogy though.

Oh, I like both sportives and audax, by the way.

I'm intrigued by the running/marathon analogy though.

I stumbled across a quote somewhere once about how we don't run marathons to race each other, but rather to be together.

Guess Sportives are a similar thing though I don't really bother with them myself.

A few guys in work do sportives. They are fully motivated for an 85 mile one next month. Training away planning recce rides. A goal is important when your trying to get fit.

It's a bit like when I used to run. I did the London marathon every year. It gave me a goal, got me out on a cold damp winter morning. I got my finishers medal and my T shirt. I had achieved something and I got a lot fitter.

Ok I could have went out any Sunday morning and ran 26 miles but it's not the same.

Good luck to all who do these it is helping the nations health. Yes I agree audax is cheaper but it's different.

How much is the entry fee and how much cake can you eat? Asking for a friend

Greg Van Avermaat Classic this year in Flanders -
12 euros (after handing back your timing chip)
All the waffles and stroopwafel and cake you could eat
Free bottle of beer.

Wasn't closed road but it was quiet (a bit of shit driving in the last couple of miles). Riding closed road events (Ride100, Tour of Flanders) is worth paying for - they can be a really pleasant road riding experience.

Mrs does that running stuff - has never done a road marathon in her life, and has no intent of doing one. The degree of wht appears to be commrcialism/crowds/running on tarmac/instagram lifestyle of running marathons in foreign capitals doesn't tick boxes for her - yet it does for others.

Give her the chance to run around on Lakeland trails for 26miles in February, snow, damp, wet feet, occasional inspiring views etc and she's well up for that. To be honest, I'd rather ride around in the countryside than on city roads.... and the cost per mile of trail runs tends to be lower (this could be her using a wife-receipt on me..)

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

Closed roads, BC licence required, but it's not categorised.

I do road and off-road sportives all the time, usually with several like-minded friends.

One that I did this year for the first time was the Dunwich Dynamo. If you don't know what that is, it's a sportive which starts at 21:00 from Hackney in East London and runs for about 120 miles overnight up to Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. The ride is basically free and is also unsupported i.e. no official feed stops.

As luck would have it the route runs quite close to the village I live in Essex so rather than driving to the start we just rode out from home. I worked out that the route for us would be just on 100 miles so I proposed to ride to Dunwich, have a rest and feed stop at the cafe there and then ride home, making the ride a real challenge

Long story short it was an amazing experience and wouldn't have been anywhere near the ame just doing it on our own. If you don't get sportives then you don't get them I guess.

I usually enjoy the sportives, especially new ones I haven't done before and you're not just pounding the same roads week-in, week-out. I think the focal point for training that someone else mentioned also has a lot to do with it. Just riding a route yourself you wouldn't train anywhere near as hard for or look forward too as much.

Also, is the cost such a big deal? People on here spend thousands on their kit, what's a few quid more for a well organised ride that usually has some interesting and challenging features?

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

Thats different, its a race.

You can compete against the best in the world, and its a fast course so you can set a PB.

Not quite the same for a sportive is it, although I have heard people saying that the do the Ride London thing because you can get a fast 100mile.

Thats different, its a race.

You can compete against the best in the world, and its a fast course so you can set a PB.

What, and you couldn't just roll up on any Sunday and run that course yourself? As for "competing against the best in the World" well, that's just laughable. You might as well say you can compete in the Open championship by playing four rounds at the R&A.

What, and you couldn't just roll up on any Sunday and run that course yourself? As for "competing against the best in the World" well, that's just laughable. You might as well say you can compete in the Open championship by playing four rounds at the R&A.

Speak for yourself. Last time I ran London - championship start - I got to use the same warm-up area as the professionals, line up right behind them and start running on the same gun. Admittedly I did then instantly watch them disappear into the distance, but I did pass the first rabbit at about 11.5 miles as he was cooling down.

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

The age group part of this is a race. A bit like the London marathon championship event(you need a sub 2:45 time to qualify) is a race while the back of the field is more about completing the distance.

Bear in mind that us cat 3 cat 2 riders may be racing but we couldn't compete with the pros. So what gives us the right to criticise.

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...

In all seriousness - I want my Mrs to get into riding. There's a local sportive next weekend with a 25 mile route, a posh gaff doing the food afterwards and plenty of similar people in a similar position getting out for a spin. I struggle to see what the issue is, my route planning is terrible and always includes a bit of dual carriageway when I've got lost which doesn't seem to appeal to the Mrs for some reason...

I tried the Dragon Ride a few years ago, enjoyed it and could see the attraction.

Not willing to put up with all the associated faff and hanging around to do another one though.

If I didn't do MTB I'd probably be able to channel more of my passion for bikes into sportives or audaxing, but MTBing is more satisfying for me and that gets all the trips away.

I do, but recently not so much. Too many team kitted MAMILs who look straight through you when you say hello.

It sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder about the whole thing, if you don't mind me saying.

I think it's great that people do them, but it would be nice if they were not corporate offerings and more of the money went to charity or back into the community.

There are loads of sportives where the proceeds go to good causes. And loads that are commercial ventures. Are you some kind of pinko commie or what?

save £40-odd and sign up for an Audax instead

Or do both. My last two sportives were both on closed roads, which I'm very happy to pay for as it's an experience I can't get at any other time. Audaxes are cheap, laid back, and usually stop at good cafes.

Audaxes have speed limits though, which is nice if you're out for a steady long ride - not if you've been training hard in the months before to see how fast you can get round.

Have done off-road ones and the closed-road Ride London 100 one, don't see as much appeal when they're on open roads but there's still something to said for riding a good route on new roads with other people.

It gets people out on bikes - some of them might like it enough to join clubs and start racing, some might discover audaxing, some might just carry on doing sportives, some might go back to golf. If they're enjoying it, who cares?

The sportive/road race thing is really just a quirk of terminology. A sportive is a kind of race but it's definitely a really different experience to a 'road race'. I can see why racers are a bit protective of their terminology - getting good at road racing is much harder than getting good at sportives.

As for the OPs question: They're good fun, you meet some like-minded people and the extra support makes you a bit more confident to push the boat out.

Gateau, shirley?

😆

Speak for yourself. Last time I ran London - championship start - I got to use the same warm-up area as the professionals, line up right behind them and start running on the same gun. Admittedly I did then instantly watch them disappear into the distance, but I did pass the first rabbit at about 11.5 miles as he was cooling down.

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

Audaxes have speed limits though, which is nice if you're out for a steady long ride - not if you've been training hard in the months before to see how fast you can get round.

30kph, including stops, for 300km on a hilly route, is not my definition of "steady".

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