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Bike races suitable for beginners

  • 24-04-2018 9:55pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,137 ✭✭✭


    I was wondering are there bike races suitable for beginners, similar to how they have running events such as Frank Duffy 5 mile and Great Ireland run etc? The type that are open to all levels of fitness. For some reason I imagine cycle races being similar to the tour de France or something where you have to be extraordinarily fit and/or cycle long distances.

    Just wondering are there some that are more suitable for the unfit novice? I've heard about sportives but don't really know what they are.

    I've thought about joining my local cycling club but their slowest group is something like 14-16mph average speed! :(


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,170 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    A cyclosportive is characterised by being a mass participation cycling event. In several countries, including the UK and Australia and parts of the USA, they're billed as non-competitive events.

    A sportive is EXACTLY what you want. Or even better, find a club that does an induction for new members. Total novices in sportives can be problematic as group riding is a skill they're missing.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,871 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    veganrun wrote: »
    I've thought about joining my local cycling club but their slowest group is something like 14-16mph average speed! :(
    that's not nearly as fast as you think; you will move faster in a group than you would out on your own.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,681 ✭✭✭✭P_1


    A sportive is what you're looking for. There are plenty of them all over the country over the summer. If you're only starting out I'd suggest identifying one of the flatter ones and using that as a goal to train towards.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,137 ✭✭✭veganrun


    Thanks.

    Any good resources online for training plans? Something simple to help increase mileage and fitness would be ideal.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68 ✭✭mmrs


    Check out GCN on YouTube. Just cycle as much as you can and enjoy it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 315 ✭✭strmin


    You need a club with "no one left behind" group. They go as fast as the slowest rider. The best bike races for beginner would be club league. But slowest group still average minimum 36km/h. If you join club now, you will be ready to race next season.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,137 ✭✭✭veganrun


    I think my local club has a "no drop" policy which I think means they don't leave anyone behind. Although they've said you should be comfortable doing 20-30 miles before starting. That's my weekly mileage now, not a one off ride!

    I think I will contact them and see what they say.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,170 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Miles, miles everywhere. Give us that in real money!

    If you're not up to 48km in a morning then you need to get your fitness up first before entry to a club would be practical.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,137 ✭✭✭veganrun


    I cycle about 3.5 miles a day, 5 days a week which is my commute to and from work.

    I'd like to increase my mileage but not sure what's a good target that's achievable but not too tough that I get fed up and stop. For example I can't see myself just starting to do 20 miles a day on top of my commute.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,170 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Don't need to do anything daily, but if you work M-F then try doing 30km on a Saturday and maybe 35 the week after and so on.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,329 ✭✭✭✭loyatemu


    take a longer route home.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,137 ✭✭✭veganrun


    Might look into a longer route but not sure how feasible that is. Sorry, can't quote posts well on the phone.


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