Do... pick the right event
-
Have you set yourself a summer challenge?
-
Distance, route profile, training time and logistics should be considered when choosing a sportive to enter (Pic: Media 24)
-
Putting the miles in ahead of your sportive will pay dividends (Pic: Matt Alexander/Human Race)
-
Check out the route in order to understand the challenge ahead (Pic: Media 24)
-
Put your summer fitness to good use on an end-of-season sportive
-
Find a group of riders to share the workload
-
The key to staying fuelled on a long ride is to eat and drink little and often
-
Put together a list of everything you need and prepare your kit the night before
-
Riding a sportive should be fun - the most important thing is to enjoy it (Pic: Roz Jones)
Do... pick the right event
The UK sportive calendar is busier than ever and there are hundreds of events to choice from, and tens on any given weekend through the height of the summer season. The British Cycling website has a comprehensive sportive calendar and picking the right event is key to your sportive success.
Most sportives will offer a signposted route (and, more than likely, a choice of distances), with well-stocked feed stations, mechanical support and electronic chip timing, so choosing the right event often comes down to the course.
A sportive is a great opportunity to ride new roads – and find new challenges – without having to think about the course so try and pick an event which ventures beyond you regular training loops.
When picking an event you should consider the distance (look for a realistic challenge that will test your limits but one that is attainable), the severity of the course (not all 100-mile rides are equal – how much climbing is there?), how long you have to prepare (what you’re able to ride now may be quite different to what you’re able to ride in August) and logistics (can you ride or drive to the event, or will you have to book an overnight hotel?). You can find more advice on choosing the right event here.