Advice for Newbies to touring / sportives

elnino23

Hi guys had my Bike just over a month now, (used to be a runner) I did the Fort to fort in Cork which I found a bit bizarre with the ferry in the middle and the lack of an actual finish. I've signed up for the Midelton tour de cure (100KM) I wondered if anyone had any advice for people new to these kind of races. The fort to fort wasnt what i expected at all. I was hoping to lock into a group for some drafting etc but spent the whole day on my own either too fast for the slow groups or not fast enough for the lead guys, I was stuck in between pushing wind on my own. Found waiting 28 mins for a ferry wrecked my legs too could never get going after the long stop. On the longer races like the TDC do people tend to stick in a big peleton or will it be just as spread out as fort to fort was? Any advice on what to do? I should really find some mates to stick with for some train action but i know no one into cycling. Advice welcome

nilhg

seamus did a great post a while ago that will answer most of your questions.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77346685#post77346685

Raam

Advice? "Be yourself".

funnights74

Keep in mind that the Fort to Fort is pretty unique, no other sportive has a ferry ride in the mix. The TdC will be much more of a standard day out, the first half being pretty flat and after the foodstop in lismore a quick dash to Tallow and then the climbing begins.
If possible get into a group but everyone finds their own level at these events but i agree with nilhg that post by seamus is excellent and well worth studying.

elnino23

Amazing post by seamus thanks

Roger Hassenforder

there'll prob be a lot more on the TdC. Dont start at the back of the bunch.
A few boardsies here will probably be doing it.

elnino23

Yeah that was my problem at the fort to fort started at the back thinking that was my level being new, ended up dodging all the slow people and never got near fast people. probably why I spent most of the day on my lonesome.

Roger Hassenforder

could be wrong, but AFAIK, the 100 and 160km groups start together at the same time on the TdC.

elnino23

Is there a thread for trying to find training buddies?

Roger Hassenforder

post here about going out for a spin of an evening, you might get a few takers.
or join a club.
where you at?

Zyzz

elnino23 wrote: »

Hi guys had my Bike just over a month now, (used to be a runner) I did the Fort to fort in Cork which I found a bit bizarre with the ferry in the middle and the lack of an actual finish. I've signed up for the Midelton tour de cure (100KM) I wondered if anyone had any advice for people new to these kind of races. The fort to fort wasnt what i expected at all. I was hoping to lock into a group for some drafting etc but spent the whole day on my own either too fast for the slow groups or not fast enough for the lead guys, I was stuck in between pushing wind on my own. Found waiting 28 mins for a ferry wrecked my legs too could never get going after the long stop. On the longer races like the TDC do people tend to stick in a big peleton or will it be just as spread out as fort to fort was? Any advice on what to do? I should really find some mates to stick with for some train action but i know no one into cycling. Advice welcome

Think I found your problem.

elnino23

Yeah I know the pushing wind on my own is my problem thats why I was asking about if during the big sportive's riders stick together.
Roger I'm in Cobh I dont tend to get out in the evening cos i get home late from work but I have the odd week day off which is when I normally go out I was out today for a small spin and I'm off next Tuesday.

Zyzz

elnino23 wrote: »

Yeah I know the pushing wind on my own is my problem thats why I was asking about if during the big sportive's riders stick together.

Ah..unfortunately you didn't catch on to my fart related pun..:o

elnino23

Zyzz wrote: »

Ah..unfortunately you didn't catch on to my fart related pun..:o

Oh dear!