My first ever Sportive
I rode my first Sportive in October 2016. To say it was a baptism of fire would be an understatement. I felt confident, the route was 63 miles and my longest ride to date was 56 miles (as part of Outlaw Half Ironman), what could possibly go wrong?
First off, before you sign up for anything, check the route, check it again and check the elevation. Don’t let your mate (who is a cycling mountain goat) tell you it is a flat, easy ride and you will be fine. The Sportive was not flat, and I was not fine. Even worse, I had convinced another friend to do the route who wasn’t a confident cyclist and I told her the route was flat!
Arriving on-site at the community centre, we were greeted with porridge, fresh coffee and porcelain toilets- this was a promising start and seemed extremely civilised. Even better, there were a lot fewer women, so the toilet queue disappeared quickly.
How the route started
The Sportive route started nice and chilled, and we rode out to the quiet Cheshire lanes. I was quite familiar with it. Although the weather was mild for the end of October, the roads were thick with mud dropped from the farm tractors and instantly I was filthy, and my clothes were damp.
At the first feed station, it was a case of shoving some food down quickly and cracking on. I am not a cyclist who enjoys a mid-ride coffee stop, I want to get my ride done and then enjoy the snacks at the end. The same at the second feed, I didn’t really eat very much, wanting to get back on the bike.
It was all going well until approximately 45 miles in, and we hit a Category 4 climb called The Wizard. This is where the wheels (no pun intended) literally came off. Then I experienced my first ever bonk (not that type of course!!!). To bonk during cycling means you haven’t taken on enough carbohydrates and have exhausted your glycogen stores. This gives you low blood glucose levels.
How I tackled the hill climb
As I was going up the climb, it felt like I was pedalling in treacle, my legs were turning but it would have been quicker walking. Then came the rage, it was a proper red mist of pure anger, I hated everyone around me. It got to the point, I got off the bike and lay on the floor whilst telling my husband he needed to call an ambulance as I was about to die. He called me dramatic and handed me a can of full-fat coke and an energy gel and said to give it 10 mins. I pushed my bike up the hill and a man started chatting to me saying how great it was to meet another fellow walker. The rage kicked in again, how dare he call me a walker, I am a cyclist!
Hopping back on my bike, I realised I still had just under 20 miles to go top complete the Sportive, I was cold and sulking. I just thought, ‘get your head down and it will soon be done. It would have been done much quicker if the organiser hadn’t added an additional loop on taking us through Bollington.
When my rage had taken over
The rage reared its ugly head again and once again I was angry, even at the name of the town. I was muttering to myself ‘what a stupid name for a town’ and ‘why would you call it Bollington’. My head had fallen off - again. We got to another hill, and I got off. Once again pushing my bike cursing, when guess who appeared alongside… the walker from The Wizard. He was so chirpy pushing his bike next to me chatting like old friends. I truly spat my dummy out at this stage and swore at him (I am so sorry to this person as I never saw him again). Then I got back on my bike, snarling that I am a cyclist and got approximately 5 miles from the end when I realised, I was actually going to finish. I started waving at people like some Z-list at a supermarket opening forgetting all about the strops and sulking.
My thoughts after
The buzz to finish outweighed the mid-ride tantrum and afterwards, I did sign up for more Sportive events.
My friend, whom I told the route was flat, eventually forgave me. Despite her and her husband getting in the broom wagon.
Back at the community centre and we were given some curry to warm us up. Apparently, the chef was a MasterChef winner but to me, it tasted like feet.
At this point, it was time for me to head home and get into a hot bath and get some food.
What can you learn from my first Sportive event?
- Check the route - and check it again!
- Make sure you train for your event. Have a look at British Cycling for some training plans.
- If you have a device where you can load the route, do so, so things don’t come as a shock.
- Wear appropriate clothing.
- Make sure you keep eating and drinking to keep your energy levels up.
- Don’t let your head win - you are doing this for enjoyment.
- Ride with friends who can boost you and pull you along.
- Don’t swear at people who are trying to be nice.
- Enjoy the event and be proud you have done it.
Don't forget to sign up for our event on 2 April 2023. We have a choice of three routes that cater for all abilities.