First Sportive question

[RiffmasterII]

Im new to cycling and have less than 12 months under my belt, Im looking at doing my first Sportive event this Saturday but one of the hills bothers me, I rode it today to see how I would get on but at 18% gradient I had to get off half way and walk up it.

My question is when doing a sportive do many people walk up hills? I will be fine with the others just need more time in my legs to get up this beast

[David881]

I wouldn't worry about it. If you have to walk, walk, no shame.

I've only ever done one sportive. It had a climb up Red Bank near Grasmere within a mile or so of the start' hardly time to warm up and then a 20% climb. Plenty were walking. I struggled on to the top but regretted it for much of the ride, suffering from a niggling back.

[RiffmasterII]

Thanks David, maybe I should just give it a go, the extra pressure of cycling with people might push me to the top anyway!

[Valbrona]

People generally understand that walking up hills is mostly lack of low enough gears, and not some kind of embarrassing fitness-failure.

[eileithyia]

There are lots of pix around of sportives where there are people walking up a steep hill, don't worry about it..

[jamesbradbury]

Some people think that it's a good idea to walk up steep hills to save leg power for later and to use some different muscles.

It's not cheating to walk. It's cheating to get a bus!

[GranvilleThomas]

Nothing wrong with walking, I don't go anywhere without a triple on the front these days with a 22 tooth granny, but still get off and walk on occasions.

Have a look at this recently posted video (not by me) from last Sundays Velothon Wales - loads of people walking up Caerphilly mountain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f3BLhJpUsI

Bit of a stiff clime after 80 miles in the legs mind you!

[foxyrider]

I hate walking up hills but that doesn't mean i don't do it when i run out of legs! A hill i can easily climb when i'm fresh might be a different matter after 80 miles!

You aren't doing it to try and kill yourself (i hope) but rather for enjoyment, that means sometimes the ego has to go in the pocket and a short walk is in order - no one is gonna sneer at you or think less of you

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,

Nothing wrong with walking, I don't go anywhere without a triple on the front these days with a 22 tooth granny, but still get off and walk on occasions.

Have a look at this recently posted video (not by me) from last Sundays Velothon Wales - loads of people walking up Caerphilly mountain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f3BLhJpUsI

Bit of a stiff clime after 80 miles in the legs mind you!

Not bad.........you'le be doing the Dartmoor classic then...........
Similar to Haytor maybe a tad shorter but same inclne.
Peeking at 183 is not bad, you over 50
50 cadence is a bit of a grinder.
Guy in white shorts,I swear you were going to catch him.......or not

Seriously walking on steep stuff saves energy.
But sportives are flat out so pace and fitness take there toll on the first timers................


Great.