In the Spring of every year our social media feeds fill with advertisements for upcoming events, and if you are a cycle minded individual like us then those pesky tracking cookies will make sure that ads for Cycle Sportives will bombard your newsfeed.
So if those ads have caught your eye and you have been thinking about taking part in a Cycle Sportive but are hesitant and unsure of what to expect, then this blog may just be the push that you need towards signing up for one.
1. Its An Opportunity To Tackle A New Route
It can be a daunting prospect to make the journey to another part of the country and tackle a long distance cycling route when you aren’t familiar with the area or the route already. Cycle sportives allow you to do this while benefitting from a support team, food stations, stewards and roadside route directions. This allows you to turn up, cycle and enjoy the journey without many of the associated worries.
Many sportives are located in some of Ireland’s most scenic areas, with breath-taking views and scenery along the way. The mountains in Wicklow and Kerry along with various locations along the Atlantic Coast are just some of the beautiful parts of Ireland you can cycle on a sportive.
2. It's An Opportunity To Challenge Yourself
Whether the challenge you are seeking is to cover a longer distance, tackle more elevation or both, then you will find a sportive that suits your needs. Generally sportive organisers will offer a choice of two or more routes to suit almost all levels of fitness and experience.
Shorter routes will cover less elevation whereas longer routes will cover a lot more and usually at least one challenging climb to test those legs and lungs. After all, sure what else would we be able to brag about if we didn’t have at least one steep climb to tackle?!
3. You Will Earn A Smart New Cycling Jersey
A Sportive jersey is like a badge of honour, worn by cyclists to show that they have completed some of Ireland’s toughest cycling routes. Most sportives either include a jersey as part of the registration fee or they might offer the option to purchase one for a reduced fee along with registration. For the most part they are well designed, sleek pieces of clothing and make a great addition to any cyclist’s wardrobe.
4. Then There’s The Food
There is one thing in common across all the sportives that we have taken part in and that’s the amount of delicious food on offer. Shorter routes usually incorporate one food stop along the way while longer routes will incorporate two or more. The food on offer can vary from fresh fruit, sweets and fresh baked goods to sandwiches and soup. Enough to keep you fuelled right through to the finish line.
Then there is the post event feed which is usually a hot meal or even a BBQ. You won’t go hungry on the day that’s for sure. However just make sure not to over indulge at the food stops… you will regret those extra pieces of cake when you meet the next steep hill!
5. The Social Aspect… You Will Meet Other Like-Minded People
Apart from a few riders who will approach the event with laser like focus and speed towards the finish line right from the beginning, most other participants are highly sociable and chatty and treat the event for what it is… a leisure cycle. There is always a great pre and post event atmosphere with plenty of chat and banter at the food stops.
Sportives are a great opportunity to meet other cyclists from around the country and discuss routes, equipment and training. There is plenty of knowledge to be gathered and connections to be made. You may even recognise some people from your locality that you didn’t even realise were keen cyclists and maybe even find yourself a new training partner.
6. You Will Support A Good Cause
Quite a lot of cycle sportives are run by local cycling clubs or by charities in conjunction with local cycling clubs, in order to raise some much needed funds. Many of the stewards and staff involved in running these events will be giving up their time for free with much of the food and beverages being donated by local businesses as support.
After the rest of the associated costs of running the event are paid for, the remaining money will go into these clubs and charities so you can take heart in the knowledge that your hard earned money has been well spent in supporting a good cause.
To Sum It All Up…
Cycle Sportives are fantastic events for meeting new and like-minded people while tackling an exciting and challenging new route in a safe manner. Stewards and organisers always have your safety and wellbeing in mind while creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Throw in some delicious food and a smart piece of new kit and you have recipe for a great day.
If you can, you could always sign up for a sportive somewhere in Ireland that you’ve been meaning to visit and turn your trip into a weekend away.
Looking back on all the sportives that we have taken part in over the years it’s safe to say that we can thoroughly recommend them for both new and experienced cyclists alike. Although you may regret your decision half way up the side of a steep hill, once you cross that finish line we can guarantee you that you will be straight online that evening to search for your next sportive!
Read More: 8 Reasons To Try An Adventure Race
Comments