Sportives. Hmmm..?

[glueman]

Let me say at the beginning I have nothing against sportives and have only a vague idea what they are about anyway but are their riders always miserable? At different times over the weekend I got caught up in two events and none of the people involved said hello or cracked a smile. They were all on trick modern frames without guards, had helmets and team gear but none looked very happy.

The first introduction was when a bloke came blasting past me on my tourer without a by your leave, then struggled to stay ahead and so it continued with a mass of people who looked cross with the world. Was I just unlucky or do the rides attract 'a certain sort'? By contrast every other rider I met, racer or pootler, said Hi. The other thing was the sportives seemed to take the fastest, most unpleasant, car bound roads imaginable. Is this the norm?

[Si]

I'd guess that people give up saying hello to others when they are in the middle of an event that could have as many as 1000 riders in it - saying hello to every rider you meet could wear you out by itself!

Also, sportifs tend to be more race oriented than other events (even though they are not races, oh no, not races at all, just personal challenges) so people are more likely to be near maximum effort compared to, say, an audax where they are more likely to be pootling - so in a sportif they are more likely to look tired or pained due to that effort.

And given that you live in a lumpy part of the world and that sportifs tend to draw riders from a wide catchment, a few were probably in shock from the hills

[meic]

You cant blame them for the helmets, it is normally compulsory.
Which probably explains why they were so grumpy.

I have bumped into a sportif out here. It was the devil ride, many said hello to me. Some even by name!
The first riders even answered our questions about what was happening.

I guess the Black Mountains just werent challenging enough.

[glueman]

It wasn't simply the 'hello' factor, I've learnt not to expect one either way with cyclists but between my two bike rides I had reason to take the car on part of their route and there seemed to be no communication with each other as far as one can tell. The event took in the A515, as grim a high speed rural main road as it's possible to imagine and generally avoided by local riders.

I've ridden quite a few audaxes but this looked like unremitting gloom. If I've misrepresented sportives or the event please feel free to challenge my portrayal.

[glueman]

Looks like my opinion of the route is shared at least.

[ANTONISH]

The first introduction was when a bloke came blasting past me on my tourer without a by your leave

How did he come to be on your tourer ?

[Si]

The first introduction was when a bloke came blasting past me on my tourer without a by your leave

How did he come to be on your tourer ?

Well, you've heard of "riding on someone's wheel"? Well, sportifs take it one step further

[workhard]

it's a race in all but name. Numbers, timing chips....

they are flogging themselves to death surely?

[Ron]

I don't expect a wave from sporting cyclists in much the same way as I don't expect recognition from tennis players, golfers and footballers when they are doing their sporting thing as I cycle by.....their minds are on their game and they care not who might be passing by.

[Banjo]

If you were riding along a road and a sportive of a thousand riders came by the other way would you offer a cheery wave and say hello to all of them?

My attitude is enjoy your cycling whichever flavour you prefer and live and let live.

[Dean]

I was dawdling along the road out the back of Swainby to Osmotherley one February afternoon a couple of years ago. Knackered bike, rolled-up jeans, no helmet. I probably didn't look the part.

Charging down the hill from the reservoir came the entire British track cycling team, in training for the World Champs, with the team van careering around the corner to keep up with them. All of them smiled, nodded or waved as I passed. That's class, that is.

[Tonyf33]

I was dawdling along the road out the back of Swainby to Osmotherley one February afternoon a couple of years ago. Knackered bike, rolled-up jeans, no helmet. I probably didn't look the part.

Charging down the hill from the reservoir came the entire British track cycling team, in training for the World Champs, with the team van careering around the corner to keep up with them. All of them smiled, nodded or waved as I passed. That's class, that is.

Totally agree, manners cost nowt no matter high up above the hoi polloi you are. On your way down it serves you well too

[byegad]

Love it!

They are flogging their puddings out and you want them to wave?

It takes all sorts and I wouldn't enter a sportive at any price. I ride at my pace, see the wildlife and enjoy myself. Why should I expect anyone else to enjoy my rides?

P.S. Today I saw a Little Owl, two Wrens and several Lapwings. The Blackthorn flowers are losing their petals so some of the lanes were covered in 'confetti' and the Daffodils on the verges outside the local farms are dying back. Spring is well and truly sprung and the summer is on its way despite the cold! (9 degrees C maximum here today .)

[[XAP]Bob]

Love it!

They are flogging their puddings out and you want them to wave?

It takes all sorts and I wouldn't enter a sportive at any price. I ride at my pace, see the wildlife and enjoy myself. Why should I expect anyone else to enjoy my rides?

P.S. Today I saw a Little Owl, two Wrens and several Lapwings. The Blackthorn flowers are losing their petals so some of the lanes were covered in 'confetti' and the Daffodils on the verges outside the local farms are dying back. Spring is well and truly sprung and the summer is on its way despite the cold! (9 degrees C maximum here today .)

Saw a decent sized bird of prey getting mobbed by a crow this morning, as well as the usual farm animals and rabbits...