6 Sportive Tips For Beginners

Whether you are new to sportives or not, these tips can help you out on the day of the event.

What are your hints and tips for a beginners to sportives? Share them in the comments below👇

Ex-Professional Cyclists Dan Lloyd and Matt Stephens are here to help with some great tips and tricks for sportives!

- Selecting gears. Change into an easier gear before you come to a halt. It will make starting again much easier
- Stopping. It sounds easy, but it can be tricky especially when climbing on a steep gradient, remember to warn others on your intention too, take a look over your shoulder to let anyone else know.
- Route. Programme it into your head unit, this will help you with your progress as well as letting you know if you deviate from the route.
- Group Riding. If you are not used to riding in a group, leave sufficient room from the rider in front.
- One handed riding. You will need to eat and drink to maintain energy levels. Without being able to ride single handedly it will make your ride very unpleasant and possibly dangerous to yourself and others.
- Feed Stations. It's tempting to have a long rest, but don't. Grab what you need and then continue. Otherwise your legs can start to feel bad when you start riding again.

Watch more on GCN...

Music:
Body Music - Per Ljungqvist,
Donnie Dragon - Fredrik Nyberg

About GCN:

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

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Leave us a comment below!

[craftyplayss]

I can't get over just how cool Dan's bottle flip looks.

[johnbouttell]

I always hum Ride of the Valkyries when approaching a group from behind.

[StuartHarragan]

Something you missed - ride your own ride. It's easy to get dragged along by faster/stronger riders and end up bonking. Take it easy at first and save energy for when you really need it.

[jeffstafford]

I tend to slice the tops off any bar wrappers and cut the bar into bite sized pieces then put them back in wrapper. Makes it easier to eat little and often.

[kiverrussell]

Vary your position on the bike, especially on a longer event. Most of the time you will be on the hoods but get on the drops when you get a chance (downhill etc.), on the tops when going steady uphill and stand every so often too. Mix it up a little and you won't stiffen up - the body is designed for a wide range of motion not staying static in one position for extended periods of time. See GCN video on different positions!

[hughtaggart]

I have been binge watching your videos the past few days, as I have just purchased my first bike! I'm very new/green, and appreciate all of the information your channel puts out there. Excellent job guys, keep up the great work!

[TheTsunamisteve]

My first sportive on Sunday and thanks to the videos on GCN I feel a little more prepared.

[alemew]

if you stop for more then 10 minutes for a rest or food, start over in z2 for at least 20 min before riding in your tempo pace

[gasman]

I just subscribed to the channel last week
I`ve never done a sportive or Granfundo, but I cycled the 55km Sella Ronda on my own last Monday and another intensive round from my base in Arabba the other day (which was basically the other half of the medium track of the Dolomites Maratona)
That was enough for me as an in-experienced climber from flat Holland !

[anparsons]

Make sure you take a packable jacket, gloves and arm warmers. Either start with them on and remove as the weather heats up or pack in pocket/saddle bag and put on when required.
Do not underestimate the effects of wind chill, before long descents put all this gear on even if you think it is warm.
Try sticking your arm out of the window of a car at 50mph/80kph on a sunny day and you will realize just how cold you will get on a 20km alpine descent.

[baswallet]

- Keep the left part of the road (or probably the right part in the UK) available for faster cyclists
- If you approach a steep climb and while being exhausted please move to the side of the road before stoping
- Inform other cyclists if there's road furniture coming up
- Take your turn in the wind if you have some energy
- Don't overtake on the inside of hairpins

Happy cycling :D

[bryandocker]

Tip, Check weather and remember its OK to start a little on the cold side because the ride will warm you up as you start burning calories. Sea Otter Classic this weekend wish me luck.

[estuardogudiel]

hey guys, just wanted to say how much I enjoy your videos and thank you. I was wondering if you guys in the near future you can make a video on hand signals that cyclists do with other rides for warnings or passing etc.

[nickw]

completed the Amstel gold tour version on Saturday on the 200KM route, my first and learnt a good deal about pacing managed to finish feeling strong actually managed a sprint finish ! Also I managed to have at least something in terms of a gel or a bar every forty mins irrespective of the rest stops. The organisers gave you a sticky label for your stem with the climbs and Km distances which gave you a great idea of the course liked it so much might do myself one for the the dolomites see you at the maratona

[stormb]

My best learning so far is to pace oneself and not go hard right off the bat thus risking running out of energy with 20 or 30% of route remaining. Don't get racy - focus on finishing and better yet, finishing strong.

[pietertoerien]

When new to bunch riding, try and not get boxed in the whole time, keep to the road side of the group.
This allows you to pull slightly to the side of the group whilst feeding, without losing your place and all the slipstream benefits.
If the group then suddenly brakes, you have more time to react, as you will just pass the rider in front.

[karlpell]

Sportive Tip: Know the route, know where the key climbs/challenges are, where the feeds are, and where it ends. My wife's first Century was 106 miles. I was in big trouble at mile 100 when there was one more big climb.

[craiglulek]

I'll admit I'm a newbie to the sport and sportive's but I'd definitely say remember to pace yourself. I'm always chasing the more experienced riders only to have cramp and fatigue in the last sections of the ride.

[dominicks]

Can't stress how helpful this channel is.

[Flash_of_the_peat_hill]

Spot on video, I have my first sportive in June and need all the help I can get.