First Sportive!!!

My first sportive and I went so fast I set off a speed camera!....Ok I was in the car on the way to the start, oh bother.  When I unpacked the bike I found that I had lost a knut from the rear wheels quick release skewer, not good. fortunately the lovely people of Evans gave me a replacement at no cost.

I took part in the Evans ride it Gatwick Sportive today.

The start..in an industrial Estate

I rode a total of 64.4 miles through the South Downs,  it was a great ride really scenic but alas I was wearing full finger gloves and I couldn't  take any more photos because my touch screen camera wouldn't register gloves.  So alas this is my only photo.

The ride was 64.4 miles and I covered it in 4hrs 14min so an average of 15.1mph.  The ride broadly followed the following route with a few minor amendments.  

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/crawley/973128585394593601

We started well leaving just after 8.30am.  The weather report was clear and sunny but layers was the dress code for the day.  I wore my bib leggings (padded) a pair of running leggings and one long sleeved base layer, one long sleeved cycling jersey and one long sleeved cycling jacket, a pair of long fingered gloves and some sort of neck ruff thing that came free in a magazine.  I didn't strip any layers. I'd be surprised if the temp ever went over 10 degrees.  My one regret was not having any over shoes (like spats) to keep out the cold so i'll be looking on Ebay for those.

The first part of the ride was nice and relaxed, I stayed with the group I started with and we covered the first 10 miles at about 17mph and I really felt the benefit of riding in a group, making the ride easier.  It took those early miles for my legs to warm up.  They felt good for the first climb, drop the gear and away, I felt like Shleck and dropped my group in that climb.  

I forged onto the next group of 3 riders and we spent the next 40 ish miles together. It was a good group we had a good natter.  

I was a bit perplexed as some of the hills we covered I would be dropped and catch up with everyone on the descent or a bit further or I would spin up them with indifference.  No rhyme or reason. 

I really enjoyed the group, there wasn't any real organisation (taking turns at the front) and we spent most of the time riding 2 by 2.

The last 10/12 miles I rode solo.  I really start to feel it in my legs after the first feed station and I admit to worrying I would be late for lunch! (priorities)

Vicks and I had arranged to meet her parents for lunch in a pub in Michelham, I had calculated that if I finished the ride by 12.30pm (4hrs) I would be able to have a quick wash and then get to the pub in time.  I finished the ride just after 1pm and had to get to the pub in (new location) Betchworth for 1.30.  So the jeans and shirt went over the leggings and long sleeved T and off I went and made it to the pub at 1.40 and my pint of Guiness!!

The event was really well organised, excellent help at the start, simple registration and then a marked route.  The feed stations were brilliant, I could top up the bottles with Lucozade equivilant and take on a few more Go bars. If I had anything I could alter it would be the route markers.  They were black arrows on pink card post card size.  At 18-20mph a post card is hard to see....... but then I didn't see a speed camera at 30ish so who am I to talk!!!!!