Sportives. There are lots of way of approaching sportives and what gear to use during the ride to make it more enjoyable, and much of it comes down to trial and error. Which is not so good if it starts chucking it down with four hours of riding still remaining and you’ve not packed a waterproof.
With this in mind, I thought I’d share some of the essential items I consider most important when tackling a long distance sportive with the aim of making it more enjoyable and more manageable. There are of course many essential items (bike, cycling clothing etc) but if we imagine you’ve got the basics covered, what items of gear might help you get the most out of a sportive? In no particular order, here are 10 items I never tackle a sportive without:
GPS Computer
 |
I rarely leave the house unless I have Garmin’s most excellent Edge 705 strapped to the bars of my bicycle. As well as accurately recording all the detail from my ride, including speed, average speed, calories burned, total distance and altitude, it allows me to check out the route I’ve ridden once I’ve got home. And through Garmin’s MotionBased online service, I can share my ride with all my mates afterwards.
Comfortable saddle
 |
Since discovering that Fabian Cancellara’s favourite saddle also fits my behind rather well, I’ve been swapping Prologo’s Scratch onto every test bike I’ve been riding. And for sportives, it offers unparalleled levels of comfort with a supportive shape and ample padding.
Read Prologo Scratch saddle review
Gloves
 |
I prefer wearing short finger gloves (or mitts), and iime and again Sugoi’s C9 Gel mitts get thrown into my kit bag when loading the car and heading to ride a sportive. I like the gel padding on the palms and it is well placed for long distance cushioning, and the non-fastening opening is perfectly comfortable. All that and they’ve proven to be exceedingly durable too.
Read Sugoi C9 Gel gloves review
Gilet
 |
I like Giordana’s Technical Blend Silverline Gilet because it’s both super light and doesn’t bother with features like pockets which is reflected in the price. Folding down extremely small, it’s ideal for the first couple of hours of ride when the temperature can be a bit chilly, and once its warmed up can be stowed away in a jersey pocket and goes unnoticed.
Read Giordana Technical Blend Silverline Gilet review
Oversocks
 |
For early season sportives when the roads may still be covered in muck, or if there’s the slightest chance of rain, these oversocks from Prendas become invaluable. Keeping my shoes clean and the water and grime out, they also afford a little extra insulation for my toes on colder days.
Gels
 |
Packed with Caffeine, SIS’s Smart 1 Energizer gel is perfect for the tired last few hours of a long sportive when you’re flagging, providing a boost that can help you get to the finish. I always pack at least one of these as an emergency aid when I know I’ll be on the bike for five or more hours.
Read SIS Smart 1 Energizer Gels review
Shoes
 |
With its Body Geometry technology and shaped insoles, the Specialized BG S-Works shoes are really appreciated for the comfort they provide which makes all the difference from mile one to mile 100. They’re easy to adjust on the fly too, they’re incredibly light so you hardly notice them on your feet, and they’re well ventilated to keep your toes cool on hot days.
Eyewear
 |
Eyewear is an essential item to load into the kit bag, and Giro’s Havik shades (as worn to victory by Alberto Contador no less) are both light and comfortable on the head. Optical clarity is excellent too, with a wide, generous lens that provides lots of protection from both the sun and the grit that can be thrown into the path of your eyes – handy for contact lens wearers…
Lightweight shell jacket
 |
Sportives often start early morning and during the summer this can make clothing choices tricky. And if the weather is looking a bit iffy, as can often be the case for UK events, heading out with a lightweight and packable jacket, such as the quality Rapha Stowaway, can really come into its own. It can be worn for the first couple of hours and when not needed, it easily packs down and takes up no space in a jersey pocket.
Shorts
 |
Perhaps the item of clothing that I’m most thankful off after several hours of hard riding in the saddle, the latest shorts S5 from Assos feature one of the best chamois out there. Yes they’re pricey, but that hefty price tag does get you one of the most comfortable shorts going, with a deep plush padding that manages to feel not at all bulky, and with lots of nice little ‘attention to’ details that make them a joy to wear.
