There is an old adage “by failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail”. Fortunately two good blokes, Dan and Matt, are here to help you with a sportive strategy so you wont fail!
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Let us know your key strategy points for mass participation ride in the comments below π
Here are Matt and Dan’s areas you need to focus on, they are explained in more detail in the video:
– Pacing
– Climbing
– Feeding
– Mental Approach
If you’d like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here’s the link π http://gcn.eu/aj
Watch more on GCN…
5 Killer Sportive Training Sessions | GCN’s Cycling Tips πΉ http://gcn.eu/1QneeRR
How To Prepare & Plan For The Maratona Dles Dolomites Cycling Event πΉ http://gcn.eu/9t
Music:
Get It Right – Marcello De Angelis
Photos: Β© Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ & Β©Tim De Waele / http://www.tdwsport.com
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37 Comments
I'm certain Matt pronounces "Maratona dles Dolomites" differently every time!!
Hi everyone, I'm entering my first Sportiv in June and it's a night ride (probably an error in retrospect) so just wondering if anyone has any advice for rides through the night…. I.e eating plan and sleep ideas
nice video. I've never did a Sportif before,what is the average distance.
I've read that 30-60g of carbs per hour is the most you can process. Where is 90g coming from?
Let us know your strategy π
Wheel choice for the Maratona and L'Etape du Tour: 1) with that much descending and so many people around you a rider will have to brake lots. 2) It might be raining on the downhills. 3) But aero will make a difference. ===> All things considered would you ride carbon clinchers and risk overheating / blowout or go with aluminium? Thanks! #torqueback
Perfect timing- Riding my first Fondo this weekend. Thanks guys!
I've just entered up for my first sportive. The Wiltshire 100. Also lost 2 stone from cycling so far from your tips. Thanks keep up the good work
#AskGCNything So we well know GCN are doing the Maratona Dles Dolomites but who out of the crew besides Chocolate Voice is taking part is it the whole crew of presenters? If it is are you going to ride it together, so each taking the front for a turn and riding at the pace of the slowest rider or are you each going to attack it and go for a best time? I hope you're attacking it as I'd love to see who manages the best time and to see who comes where out of all of those who ride. Either way, Good luck to all who do ride and big respect to John for taking it on.
Great lanes you got round there. I see you were in front of the lake at Stourhead at one point (I think). Where are those rustic bridges though?
to make sure you get electrolyte in your drink, if you're needing to top up at feed stations, take a little bag of the powder. Just make sure the police don't stop you with a small bag of white powder.
Nice video (as allways) but for the (or at least my) first time I would like to add something to complete the subject: I think there is one really important thing that you forgot to mention and which I think is extremely crucial (and in many ways fundamental) but still easily forgotten. That is to remember to enjoy and appreciate the experience you're just having. It's so easy to just focus on the effort and the tricks and things you have to do to manage it (especially if it's a hard and hilly sportive) that you forget to really appreciate and enjoy the moment. And actually, the moment you (so to speak) lift your head and realise that, you will feel revitalised by that thought; and if you also take a moment to appreciate that all the hard work you,ve done in your training, right at that moment, is what gives you the opportunity to do what you're just doing, you will get an energy boost beyond what any gel or bar can give you. And finally, you will also be able to go back in your mind (later on) and pick up that thought and feeling and enjoy it again!! This is- in my opinion – one of the things that can make a cycle sportive (or any ride actually) a memory and an experience that you will cherish and appreciate for many years and never regret to have done! Sincerely/Mattias Prytz, TrollhΓ€ttan, Sweden
barrington…nice cycling roads
or is it stourhead?
Nice shoes Matt
There's a ride in Colorado called the Triple Bypass. Sort of a double entendre, but mainly for the 3 high mountain passes it crosses.
I've ridden the regular east-to-west route a couple of times, but this year I'm going to ride the Double Triple, which is the east-to-west on Saturday and return west-to-east on Sunday. The route is 119 miles (192km) with 10,000 feet (3048m) of climbing. ( https://www.strava.com/activities/635753380 )
I'm a racer, so I think my biggest challenge will be to control myself and not go too fast. The route is effectively climbing or descending… there really is no flat ground, or at least not much. The real challenge will be making sure that I stay hydrated and fueled so that my recovery is easy, then the 2nd day will be the biggest test. I've never done back-to-back century rides, and I think this is a bit more than just a simple century ride. One of my new mantras is that recovery starts with fueling on the bike.
Can you do a video on multi events like the Dragon Tour?
I can't imagine a ride with 4200 m of climbing.
1:18 Nearly a classic Matt Stephens crash
I recently started riding my mountain bike in So California, been riding local trails and city paths to help lose weight. It's definitely working, I'm feeling good and it's getting easier to do! In your staffs personal experience which bike set up is best to lose weight? I have a Trek mountain and I am considering a gravel bike to help get more speed. Is it worth it? Should I look for something different or just stick to what I have?
Love how you slowed the video under that beautiful cobble bridge. Nice place to ride!
What is a sportive? What is a Grand Fondo?
What was that ancient stone arch at 0:19 sec ?
And 1:17
Ride to your abilities, if you are an absolute demon on the flatter roads, enter an event with little or no climbing…or if you are the next incarnation of Alberto Contador enter an event that is all climbing.
I'm training for my first ever Sportive at the moment. Doing Ride London, and so looking forward to it. I've got the pacing down well so far on my long rides, completing them with strength left in my legs. As I already cycle 50-60 miles per week on road with my MTB, just do 2 training rides, with one weekday on the road bike, and then my long ride, which I'm up to 52 miles with already! π
what's the safest way to descend amongst a group of strangers going at different speeds in such events ?
Thank goodness for me. I gave the 667th like. π
Make sure you warm up properly. Get up the front on the start line. Stay up the front as much as possible. If there is a break try follow it as much as you can. If you en up by yourself, get back to a group as soon as possible. HAVE FUN!
I'm doing a 110k Sportive on Sunday so I'm eating lots of pizza at the moment.
Have signed up for the Ride London event on Sunday 30th July; will definitely be using these hints and tips in getting through my event. Have also taken on a Personal Trainer to help me get sportive ready in the next three months.
It is in fact 60 to 80 grams of carbohydrates per hour.
I reasonably bought a powermeter and how do you use a power meter for pacing in Sportives & Gran Fondos?
is this a race?
Stourhead! π
I wish I'd seen these videos of yours before riding my first brevet 200KM last month. It was a true miracle that I ended it considering I fucked up most of the strategies you describe here. I love your channel and I can't stop watching your videos, keep up the good work!
I really miss Matt π’