sportives

I am thinking of entering a sportive this year. Are they a good day out or hard work?

Personally, i think they are a great day out. How hard you work is up to you.

I find them a good day out but I like hard work

Think I will enjoy it and most likely there will be more first timers there.

I always enjoy sportives, you will very likely meet a few like minded people to have a chat to on the way round.

All depends on the event.Some are incredibly tough ,with hills and tight time limits, some are more relaxed ,family/beginner orientated. I would avoid Fred Whitton, Dragon ,Etape Cymru, trans Cambrian and several others no doubt if you want easy.

Best to put up a few examples and ask for opinions from those who have ridden them.

I was thinking of entering the Graham Obree sportive in south Ayrshire

The 65 mile one looks like hard work, but not impossible. 45 mile looks like the merely challenging option.

Don't know how much fun it is, though.

Why not do the Pedal for Scotland in September? I know transport to Glasgow and from Edinburgh may be a problem but its a great event with a great atmosphere and not too difficult.

Both! I suppose it depends where you are at - I did the 50 mile PFS last year, my first time doing anywhere near that distance - really enjoyed it but I found it hard, no doubt others found it a breeze. I think it is good to challenge yourself without being silly about it, if your normal training run is 10 miles there is no point entering a 100-miler, etc, etc.

Similar to Fubar, i did a 50 mile sportive last summer and found it tremendously satisfying to complete. Was really tough the last 5 miles i was wiped out but hopefully am a littler fitter this year so won't be as demanding.