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5 Basic Rules of Road Sportives
Similar to our ever growing list of commandments for the mountain bike marathons we have put a few points together which are extremely important for the safe and enjoyable running of our sportives. Please take the time to read these five points and have a great time at the rounds of the Vitus Power Road Sportives 2012. Besides that you can find a list of FAQs at the bottom of the page, which might answer questions you might have.
You are on the open road: The name gives it away – you are riding on public roads and so are other vehicles, which means that you will have other traffic users on the same road as you. Please respect them and obey the Highway Code at all times. There is no road too small for a tractor or a Land Rover to come around the corner. So please take caution at all times and only overtake other riders if you are sure that you don’t affect other road users. Please also keep in mind that the events are non-competitive and that they are to be understood as personal challenges rather than races. It is always better to have a couple more minutes on your finish time than to end up in hospital.
Pace yourself: If you are an experienced sportive or endurance rider then you know what we mean. If not make sure that you don’t get carried away early on. Keep in mind that you probably have another 20 - 30miles (or more) to go when you and your group come to the first hill. It is easy to overdo it when you are new to this game so better step back a bit and make sure that the next 20 odd miles are still fun rather than a struggle.
Follow the markers (i.e. don’t get lost): It sounds odd but please make sure that you follow the markers at all times. Don’t assume that the rider in front of you is going the right way all the time. Use your backup map when you are not 100% sure where to go and don’t take ‘made up’ shortcuts as it makes keeping the riders safe an impossible task. If you feel at some point that you can’t carry on and you want to take the short way back to the event village make sure that you let one of the marshals or the service stations know or even better when you return to the event village, let the timing guys know so that we know that you are safe.
Eat and drink enough but don’t rely entirely on us: If you are riding for a long time it is hugely important that you feed your engine – your body – with fuel. Please don’t wait until you’re hungry or thirsty to eat or drink because when those feelings occur you’re already running at a deficit. A good rule of thumb is to drink 500 – 750mls of fluid, eat one energy bar or three gels per hour of riding. There are food stations out on course but they are purely for topping up your supplies. Check out the High5 offers in the event village before the ride - it is good stuff and it works! You can find some more in-depth info on the diet pages of our marathon website.
Have the right equipment: You have to wear a helmet at all times. No helmet no ride. Make sure that your bike is in perfect working order and that you have the right spares with you in case something goes wrong with your trusted steed. As all of the events are held in areas where the weather can change quickly make sure that you have the right clothing with you for your ride. And finally you don’t have to use a road bike. You are welcome to use a mountain bike for your sportives – as long as you are having fun.
These are only a few points that we think are important for you to have an enjoyable and safe riding experience. We have quite a few more general ‘commandments’ on the marathon website. Simply go to 15 commandments.
FAQ's
FAQs – what other people have asked already and what might also be informative for you too. If you have further questions not covered here, please send them our way at: info@roadsportives.co.uk and we will get them up here.
Are the Road Sportives races? No – the same applies here as it does at the MTB Marathons. The sportives are non-competitive and are run on the open road rather than on closed off sections.
How old do I have to be to take part in the Road Sportives? Road Sportives are open for riders aged 16+ years as long as they ride with a parent or guardian or 18+ years unaccompanied.
How does the entry process work? If you enter via the paper entry form please fill it out and post it together with your cheque. Once received, we will send you confirmation by post or email. You can also enter via the online entry process. Once completed, you will receive email confirmation. The confirmation will not have your start number. You will receive that at registration. The signing on sheets will be in alphabetical and numerical order so that your name and number are easy to find.
It is possible to enter on the day? Unfortunately we can’t guarantee that. We recommend entering well in advance. Entries to the sportives are limited and are likely to fill up before the event weekend. If you want be kept informed on the status of the entries for each event and when we will get close to the maximum capacities please subscribe to our newsletter by joining our mailing list. There is a £5 entry surcharge on the day.
Is it possible to sign-on on the day before the ride? Yes. Registration opening times are as follows:
Vitus Road Sportives – Friday: 6.00pm – 9.00pm; Saturday: 7.00am – 9.00am
Do I have to sign-on myself or can get a friend or family member to do it for me? You have to do it yourself. If you can’t make it to the registration before it closes we can’t let you take part in the event.
Do the Road Sportives have mass starts? No. The start is run as an open start where riders will either be ‘released’ one by one or in small groups. The start is normally open from 8.30am – 10.00am on Saturday morning.
Do I need to bring a map and find my own way around? The Road Sportives are fully marked and there is no need for a map or any navigation skills. However, you will be equipped with a basic map as a backup. Don’t assume that the rider in front of you is always going the right way. If unsure please stop and check your backup map.
Are there escape routes and short cuts? Yes. If you’re struggling to carry on there are marked escape routes that will take you back to the event village via a shortcut. Or, make your way to the next feed station where we can organise a pickup.
Are there feed / service stations around the course? Yes. You will find a service station roughly every 25 - 35miles. Please check the map at the event. They are for replenishing your supplies - not to be relied upon as the only source of your provisions. Please make sure that you bring plenty of food and drink, especially if the weather is hot.
Are camping facilities available? Yes. All events have camping facilities in close proximity to the event village. There will also be plenty of showers and toilets. The campgrounds are open from Friday afternoon through to Monday morning with full camping facilities so you can enjoy your biking weekend away.
Can we reserve an area in the campground? No, we don’t take reservations. Just find a pitch within the campground and set up.
Can I bring my family? Absolutely! All event villages are located within walking distance of the village and town centers and we are constantly improving our kids and ‘left behinds’ entertainment. You can find further details on the local info page.
Are there alternatives for me to stay if I don’t fancy the campground? There are plenty of affordable hotels and B&Bs in the area(s). Please have a look on the local info page for further details.
Are bike cleaning facilities available? Yes. We will have between 2 – 4 power washers that will be available on Saturday. As you can image they do get rather busy at times so please be patient and watch out for quiet periods.
Is there a caterer on site? Yes. We will have a caterer on site that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, snacks and drinks. Besides that we normally have a Café2You van on site serving high quality hot drinks.
Is there secure bike storage? No. You have to look after your own bike. So far we have never had any problems with bikes going missing but please come prepared with bike locks, etc.
Are the events easy to find and signposted? Just make your way to the towns where the events take place. The event villages will be clearly signposted from Friday afternoon onwards.
Are spares etc, available at the event? You should be able to get most spare parts that you might forget through the retailers exhibiting at the event. However, if you need something very specific please make sure that you bring that item with you.
If I have technical problems, is there anybody at the event who can help out? Mechanics will be on site and around the course to help riders with any last minute problems. However, please don’t rely on them and make sure that your bike is in perfect working order before you come to the event.
What is happening on Saturday? Saturday is the Road Sportive event. If you are here to enjoy the whole event weekend and ride one of the MTB Marathons use the time to sign-on, have a good look around the event village, pitch up tents and equipment for the next day, join one of the organised CycleActive rides, enjoy the pasta party or just chill out in and around the campground.
If you are there to take part in the Road Sportive, once you are back you can enjoy your free post-ride food, have a good look around the event village, head out for a guided MTB ride or maybe just recover so that you can give the MTB Marathon a go the next morning.
What is happening on Sunday? Sunday is the main marathon event day. For kids and ‘left-behinds’, we will have event village entertainment, why not join one of the organised CycleActive rides or you can visit the not too distant town centres.
