Gran Fondo Fatigue: Are Sportives Worth It? | GCN Show Ep. 594

[@gcn]

What do you think of sportives? Let us know in the comments 👇

[@Mr.NotImportant-qu5rx]

I love group charity rides but scheduling them is difficult. The costs are also another concern.

[@feedbackzaloop]

Not my personal cup of tea, but recently there were couple of fondos in the area and they got fully booked.

[@Mr.NotImportant-qu5rx]

I need to eat my words on the costs, excluding transportation to and from the group ride and lodging. My wife, daughter, and I rode the Heart of Idaho charity group ride last year and the free food, free 🍺, free massages, and free swag actually was probably twice to ten times as valuable as the entrance fee, even excluding the ride itself.

[@andymow21]

I did a 102 mile Sportive in the Cotswolds on Saturday. I like them, it's something to work towards, something you can't postpone or cut short.

[@gcn]

@@Mr.NotImportant-qu5rx wow! that is great!

[@kennethward9530]

Closed roads or highly controlled roads are a huge benefit of organized Sportives versus feeling like a real life version of "frogger" in automotive traffic.

[@gerrysecure5874]

You likely spend 10-100× the time training on non closed roads. I don't see your point.

[@gcn]

We love a closed road event! So cool to feel like a pro for the day 🙌 Sometimes this isn't an option, that's not to say these events are bad! They can often be a real corner stone of the cycling community

[@djkim1019]

As an average-level cyclist, local Fondo's were fun events to ride as a big blob a couple times a year. There is a sense of community and comradery. Feed stations and a meal/beer at the end of the ride is special experience. The problem is that cost has risen quite a bit in the last few years that I find it hard to justify paying more than $100 for a ride through mostly public roads, plus travel/lodging. My ride group now plan occasional long rides ourselves for essentially free.

[@gcn]

They can be expensive but often they cost lots s to put on think of the wages, insurance & time it takes to put these events on 🤯 We always love that community buzz 👌 Have you got any events lined up?

[@DerAngriff]

$100 is a nothingburger cost vs what you earn over the year. Think about how much you spend on cycling consumables over a year plus servicing if you don't do the work yourself, plus cycling clothing, the odd upgrade etc. Are you a regular takeout consumer? Do you buy things you don't need? If it was a monthly event, sure that'd be prohibitive for most people but a once or twice year thing? Cmon man!

[@ZOB4]

“Top tube mounted portable speaker” should automatically prevent you from getting a “hack” rating.

[@sepg5084]

Yeah, just use earbuds

[@mattmatthews5414]

It’s a hack like “PLT: instead of holding it like a normal person, you can just let it out if you happen to be in an elevator with a sudden urge to fart.”

[@shzykh]

@@sepg5084 oh no, don't tell anyone you're doing that!

[@Rullehjem]

The other day I was out on a lovely, sunny evening. A man perhaps in his late 60s was riding around on a shiny, bright red, mobility scooter, playing Free Falling by Tom Petty, full blast on his stereo, running a red light on one of the busiest roads in the city. He had broken free from the matrix, the man was hacking for sure.

[@pklaurenz]

Yeah, Zob, I get that. But, I live out in the country, and I like to play my playlist over a speaker and not through earbuds. The Cannondale Synapse is a beautiful machine, and it comes with this top tube mount. So, I screwed down a tab of velcro onto the top tube mount and affix a speaker to it. When I go on a ride with others, it just comes off, so this is a personal comfort thing when I ride alone!

[@threeshirescyclist554]

"free food"....hardly given the prices for sportives.

[@danielakerman8241]

I don’t understand the belly-aching over sportive prices. The NY Marathon has a $315 entry fee. The Gran Fondo NY has a $309 entry fee. When you consider what cyclists are willing to spend annually on their bike and gear, it seems ridiculous to complain over an entry fee that is comparable or less than a marathon.

[@firesurfer]

@@danielakerman8241 $429 for GFNY in 2024.

[@shzykh]

depends on the sportive. so many it's just $250 for a sticker or t-shirt saying you did it.

[@shzykh]

@@danielakerman8241 the marathon has a lot more applicants and the road is closed. most cycling sportives expect you to pay that much and it's very rare to close roads for them

[@Choccytube]

@@danielakerman8241 in the UK a sportive costs around £30+ with free snacks at feed station, and not always marked out. An Audax ride will cost around £5-10 without the snacks but you get a GPS route plus checkpoints. You mentioned it is $309 for the Fondo, that adds up to a lot of money if you ride regularly (I'm currently doing an event each month), that would be near $3000+ a year, that's the cost of a good new bike. Unless you have unlimited amounts of money then the value is not great.

[@jonthornton8714]

Audax is huge in Victoria Australia. Our unsupported rides cost $6. Our supported rides cost more, but are still great value for money. Most of our rides are now on gravel. Our gravel routes are curated by locals who know the best local backroads. We offer single distance, season and lifetime medals for riders who like to collect bling.

[@Thomas-fy9yc]

I did the Hincapies Gravel Fondo Merced last month…Not only was he awesomely friendly before and after the event with fans, but it was a great fun event that covered areas that normally would be inaccessible due to California being covered with private ranch lands. The accountability helps a lot, as the cost of the hotel and entrance fee got me out of the house, when I knew it would be muddy mess (which it was). Glad i did and will do it again.

[@gcn]

That's awesome! Sounds like a great event, it really makes it worth while when you get to go on those hidden roads 👌

[@endcensorship874]

The best part is meeting other riders, the support, and having a reason to party at the end. I don't think I would do such an epic ride all on my own, but to have others there with me really makes it. I really like the support; my favorite Gran Fondo (Oregon Gran Fondo) has awesome support, food and technical. The route is literally in forests, and there are hardly any communities to stop and get a drink, let alone if you have a mechanical.

[@deafbass3477]

Are you riding the Fondo this Saturday? They updated the route to 92 miles. 😀

[@endcensorship874]

@@deafbass3477 I'm doing the Adventure/Gravel ride.

[@gcn]

We love this! Nothing better than the cycling community 🙌

[@deafbass3477]

@@endcensorship874 I'm doing the 92-mile 😀😃

[@CheeseAlarm]

Im a grumpy solo rider and audaxer. A very un-Sportivey person you might think. But I absolutely love Ride London. Just once a year, its on my doorstep. Closed roads, riding faster than normal. A fantastic change for a day. Now its back to being grumpy and unsociable (and slow!) for another 360 days or so.

[@gcn]

Sounds like you're a sportive rider after-all 😉 Why not try a different event?

[@inn3491]

an excellent way of putting it !!

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Love that Hack is displayed on the drive side, while Bodge on the non-drive side. That's a Supernice in the Bike Vault.

[@gcn]

brilliant isn't it!

[@TheBrainActivation]

love it!

[@chrisridesbicycles]

I love them, especially on closed roads and when they are on the same day/weekend as a pro race. Also riding together is great. 7 hours in the rain on muddy cobbles alone would have been pretty bad but riding alongside that is legend Cillian Kelly and cheering on the kid that almost made it up the Paterberg made it a great memory.

[@gcn]

Nice one! It's so cool when you get to ride with loads of other cyclists... we hope you gave Cillian a little push up the hill?

[@chrisridesbicycles]

@@gcn I must admit, I just rode away unintentionally on a little rise. That one type of race where you have an advance as a big guy over the little climbers.

[@e995a1ad]

A concerning trend is local sportives getting bought out by big organizations like GFNY, which then double their price. And then instead of nice rootgrass events with tons of local riders, you have event with mostly rich international participants (nothing against attracting foreigners, I just mean that locals can't participate anymore or chose not to). Same thing happening with triathlons, to a lesser extent.

[@OriginalTrev]

RE: replaced broken seatpost with tree branches in order to continue riding is definitely a 'HACK'...only deemed a bodge because you didn't understand that one branch replaced the broken carbon seatpost and the other branch was used to prevent excessive movement of the first branch. Hank patting himself on the back for using electrical tape around his seatpost because he lost a seatpost clamp screw was #overrated as a hack

[@rosti1809]

Luckily, at least the viewers got it.

[@hemtone1]

I did San Diego Grand Fondo this year and it was my first event. I had a great time at the Grand Fondo. However, at the end I realized it's not worth the price to ride my bike for 100 miles. The cost was $150 for Grand Fondo 100 + 2 nights hotel/food cost/gas. Basically, I spend over $700 on a weekend just to go ride my bike for 100 miles. Never again!!

[@kokonanana1]

Decided that decades ago!

[@robertm1552]

Was that your first century? For many that are doing their first century this is by far the best way to accomplish it.

[@shzykh]

You gotta gauge what you get from it. Even if the roads aren't closed, the fact a lot of cyclists are doing it protects you. The key to these events is to not do them alone, ride in a pack with people you just met.

[@TheTrailRabbit]

Doesn't sound that bad honestly.

[@hemtone1]

@@TheTrailRabbit How does 10 events times $700 sounds like in one year? You're saying if I spend $7,000 a year to ride my bike around is economical?

[@dksocal]

One thing to add to the "pro" column: a lot of sportives/fondos/centuries benefit local charities and communities. Knowing my money is contributing to a good cause is one of the factors that will convince me to register when I might otherwise skip an event.

[@gcn]

That's a great point! Giving back and having fun 🙌

[@Alfadrottning86]

No question for me - although i am not exactly a cyclist .. but i do running. Its live events any time over solo. The entire experience to be with others is much more catching. Also, competitiveness is stronger when you do it with others live rather than solo or virtual. As with most things .. you can have a part of the experience for free/alone ... but you only get the whole experience at real events. edit: since english is not my native language .. sportive is a fully blown race event? semi/professional i mean ..

[@gcn]

You make a great point! It's often the feeling and buzz that makes an event great! We all know having that event on the calendar can really help push you 👌

[@johnb5482]

I have participated in the Tour de Steamboat in Colorado which charges over US$150 to participate. Much of the proceeds of the event go to support causes in and around Steamboat Springs and Routt County. Last year I had an absolutely fantastic experiance while on the road. The aid stations were so well stocked that I am re-thinking my nutrition and hydration strategy for this year. The organizers arranged for support from local law enforcement. One drawback was that the routes were marked by spray-painted arrows on the asphalt and I admit to going off course at least once. But I am conflicted with the my attendance at the event. I can go to Steamboat and ride those roads any time I like. Having the police stopping traffic while I made a turn, crossing the path of on-coming traffic, was appreciated. The nicely placed and well stocked aid stations were a benefit but what's to stop me from riding the exact same route on my own, self-supported for a fraction of the cost? As far any star power to attract participants does not matter to me. I will NEVER have the opportunity to interact with those people. They will be riding in the front, with others and certainly not with the likes of pack fodder like myself. I gripe about it so much that I am going again this July.

[@HabaneroTi]

Four reasons to do such events, only three valid. One, for the food, drink and other support. Two, for the closed course. Three, to ride with fellow cyclists. And four, for the imagined prestige and bragging rights, if it's a famous event with retired celebrity athletes. I honestly couldn't care less about the last one and in fact it's a turnoff for me, but I suspect that it's the main appeal for many people. But the other three are worth it if the cost isn't ridiculous.

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Something that really bites about sportives is the fantastic rise in the costs. I used to do an organized climb up Mount Lemmon with pie at Alder (MP24). Some of us would ride to Ski Valley. Cost was USD 40-50. This year the price was USD 90-100. The reason for the price increases? Insurance. Never mind i have to carry my own liability policy and am insured by other means. The advent of Zwift and other platforms (I actually road the exact same ride on RGT before it shut) is going to crush Sportives if they don't come up with a method to lighten the blow on the wallet.

[@gcn]

Hey! thanks for your comment! What would you consider a fair price? Cheers

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

@@gcn About USD 50-60. Given inflation and such.

[@danielakerman8241]

I don’t understand the belly-aching over sportive prices. The NY Marathon has a $315 entry fee. The Gran Fondo NY has a $309 entry fee. Everybody knows that cycling is an inherently expensive hobby. When you consider what cyclists are willing to spend annually on their bike and gear, it seems ridiculous to complain over an entry fee that is comparable or less than a marathon

[@danielakerman8241]

@@jamesmckenzie3532 how could organizers pay for closed roads, police support, feed stops, support vans, and all the staffing and support crew for $50/rider??

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

@@danielakerman8241 These are WORLD CLASS events. We're speaking to the weekend events put up by local cycling clubs in many cases having a $100 entry fee where food is bought at Aldi's and distributed in food cups by volunteers. The prices used to range from $20 to $50 before the pandemic and the ambulance chasers got involved.

[@Outsideville]

A Fondo that generates lots of money for charity is pretty cool to me. No, i don't expect all the funds to go to charity. It's still s good way to contribute to that local community.

[@johnlieto8906]

You guys are fantastic subs!! Love the energy! Made my day

[@MikeMassey-fi5of]

We love Gran Fondos and appreciate those who sponsor them!

[@Alex.R.Feyn.]

I completely agree with the points discussed about sportives in the video. In my opinion, sportives play a crucial role in promoting cycling as a sport.

[@inz_uzi]

9:45 "... making it the biggest history in margin" 😂 Nice one, Manon.😊 But Hank's "lovely part of the show" was equally brilliant 😂

[@zoufyj185]

One word "solution": Randonneuring! Why did it take me 40 years of racing, local event rides and club rides to discover rando?

[@marks-0-0]

Audax are the old skool version of Sportives

[@Gabe_Hansen]

Sportives are great for riding in new places or if you don’t want to carry a lot of food. If it’s near you then just do the route on your own

[@alexanderwooldridgesmith6629]

That's what I do.

[@gcn]

It can sometimes feel weird doing an event that is so close to home but the buzz and community can make it worth it 🙌

[@diezrosales]

I love sportives. I've completed four and I'm very much looking forward to my next one in the New Forest on June 8th. What I love most about them is being in touch with nature, enjoying the scent from the trees and flowers and hearing the birds sing. It is a feast for all the senses and, of course, I also love getting a medal and a free beer (even if it is non-alcoholic) at the finish line. Bring them on!

[@williamperuginiphotovideo9832]

Sportives could be a really good event, it's a pity to see many got rid of mass start, most times are on open roads, maybe they're not even timed, yet the price is still quite high, at least in the UK. I'd rather pay £100 for something like Ride London (which feels quite expensive still, but it's been amazing doing it last year) considering the number of people, the closed roads, the feed stations etc, than paying £35/£40 for a diluted start event on open roads with a banana at the feed station. I'm critical of Italy (my home country) on many points, but at least on this it's much better there: I've just entered a granfondo for €25 and I'll get timed uphill sections, partially closed roads in some points, pasta party, goodies bag feed stations and so on...

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

I wouldn't bother if its not closed roads. Every fondo I've ridden has been really good... but hell expensive.

[@adamweb]

I did one of those Hincapie Gran Fondos a few years ago. It was fun to say I "rode" with George and Lance even though I never got close to them. While expensive, they are very well organized events. The feed stations, SAG and rider photographers were top notch. Considering a new jersey is included, the $200 stings less.

[@SargeUK]

Local charity sportives are a great way of supporting local communities and charities while having fun and meeting other local riders. A good deal for £30-45.

[@playandteach]

I always get nervous on any group ride and sleep badly, underperforming too. The trick for me is to ride with a group who are no faster than you. I did the skyrider version of the Haydon 100 a couple of years ago and was about to join the broom wagon, when my mates came along 20 minutes or so later, full of beans, saying we'd cracked it. After an uphill road into the wind, averaging 4mph, we turned a corner and were downhill with a tail wind, hitting 50mph. I hadn't realised I'd already paid in the miles, and it was a free ride home for the last 20 miles.

[@Kaiserfa]

For me, closed roads are a huge incentive. Did Eschborn-Frankfurt this year with some thousand others and it was soo worth it! Blasting through the city in a huge bunch was literally a blast! And the rest was great, too!

[@timstriathlonjourneys7575]

Hank and Mannon are like a brother and sister combo that can’t stop rowing with each other!

[@ianb3562]

Used to do alot of sportives but they have become much more expensive and many of my local events have disappeared post covid. Instead i changed to audaxes, much cheaper, have to be more self reliant, but good fun. Also the iow randonee is a good cheap event to do.

[@jonk5755]

A Sportive was the way I got to my first Century at around 66Yrs. Having paid the entry fee and having a fixed date to do it focussed my training for the event. On the day of the event I found people who were a similar level to me and rode with them chatting along the way. The signage and the feed stations were great although I was a little nervous about missing the time cut. I'm not fast, never was, never will be but what a great day out! That feeling when my cycle computer went over from 99.9 to 100 miles what can I say! Then saw that there was another 8 miles to go! Loved it so I did another one the next year, a slightly more challenging one and spent too much time chatting at the feed stations, just missed the time cut!

[@dannystaten5701]

I love organized sportives, but I've also enjoyed epic, long solo efforts. I do love the atmosphere. I love doing destination events, and feel like counting the travel cost as a con isn't fair because if you want to bike art that place, the travel and hotel is a common part of riding somewhere cool.

[@duncr]

Sticks between legs, banana boxes and sausage checks! I'm detecting a theme here 😂

[@philmeanor2638]

Great conversation and both Hank & Manon did a good job keeping it PG.

[@gcn]

@@philmeanor2638 true professionals 🤣

[@HighFell]

Sportives like all events have their place. Sometimes it’s nice to be part of an event that’s not a race, although some can treat it like one (maybe guilty of that one 🤣) Haven’t done one in years and generally prefer riding on my own these days but that’s not for everyone. One thing to say is people moan about the cost; try organising and an event and you will quickly realise just how hard and expensive they are to put on. Grand Fondos are a way of amateurs having a World Championship, that’s pretty cool.

[@gcn]

We're all guilty of giving it the beans now and again... no harm in that 👀It can be very expensive to put these events on, have you got any that you loved doing in the past?

[@HighFell]

@@gcn enjoyed all the events I have done, not always at the time and except the races with the bike and body damaging crashes!🤣 All this talk of Sportives and organised rides….. I might just have a look and not be Billy No Mates on the bike.

[@brent_f]

I’ve never seen a more motivated “forward slash” than that one performed by Manon!

[@gcn]

Sun was out in bath... it works wonders ☀

[@barrysmith9154]

Did the Tour of Bristol for Charity St Pete. Help people at life care. 1500 rides. I am a bit sad that GCN ride's did not ride as you local. Hope to see you next year. 1500 cycles's helping people. A good look. Help your local people.

[@leewilliams3153]

Not a racer and not a member of any club. A sportive is my opportunity to ride with 100’s/1000’s of other like minded riders. Got my 1st closed road sportive in a few weeks (long course weekend in Tenby). Can’t wait

[@gcn]

Awesome! Enjoy Lee 🙌 You're going to love it!

[@DavidOfficer1]

The Midsummer Beer Happening Sportive in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire on 15th June goes over the Cairn O'Mount, one of the highest roads in Scotland, and then you get entry to the beer festival afterwards. Bikes and beer, the perfect combination! GCN should come along, it raises tens of thousands for charity each year.

[@gcn]

Sign us up! 🤣 One for Dan maybe?

[@samuelbino7915]

Used to enjoy sportives but sadly like most things the cost in uk has risen dramatically and there is no value in them. Weather also is so unreliable to risk shelling out £40 weeks in advance. Audax provides much better value and a friendly community. Love them. That said I did the Dragon Ride Sportive last year and did enjoy it.

[@danielakerman8241]

I don’t understand the belly-aching over sportive prices. The NY Marathon has a $315 entry fee. The Gran Fondo NY has a $309 entry fee. Everybody knows that cycling is an inherently expensive hobby. When you consider what cyclists are willing to spend annually on their bike and gear, it seems ridiculous to complain over an entry fee that is comparable or less than a marathon.

[@gcn]

Great that you still want to ride with others 🙌 Audax is great, so many events and easy to enter! Have you got any big rides lined up?

[@Hairyfoot_Studio]

I did the 100 mile RideLondon on Sunday, its not cheap but its a great event. Closed roads, fantastic support all round and getting to finish on Tower Bridge is a great experience. Definitely better than riding on my own during training

[@Tailspin80]

Same here. My first sportive and I really enjoyed it. Quite an easy ride but the first time in my entire life I had cycled 100 miles in one day. Already thinking about entering for next year. I started at the back in Pink B and spent the entire time drafting and picking my way past other riders which was a lot of fun. Now I know what sort of time to expect I’ll try and get an earlier start in 2025. Really sociable event and lots of people out cheering as we went past.

[@SARGEinc]

Not a sportive, but I ran the Las Vegas half marathon earlier this year. It was super cool, but at the same time it also felt wildly unnecessary. If I wanted to run 21.1 kilometers, I could do that literally anywhere. Why do I need to spend hundreds of dollars on an entry fee, fly to Las Vegas, get a hotel, get the entire strip shut down from traffic, just to run those 21.1k. It doesn't really make sense, but also it was awesome, and I wouldn't have run that far if I didn't sign up for it. So there's pros and cons to these types of events. You could just go on a bike ride, but there is something special about an event.

[@gcn]

Great point! Having that event in the calendar can be a great way to focus your training 👌

[@MggW]

One point not mentioned about sportives is the ability to ride the route of a pro race the day before the pros, with all the fans there and hoardings up. I'm doing Milano - San Remo next week to complete the Monuments (including Strada Bianche). What other sport can you do that?

[@colinlittlewood9613]

I went out on a ride yesterday which featured a climb that was the finish of a Tour of Britain stage in 2019. I love comparing my times against the pros on Strava, even if it did take me more than twice as long.

[@pierrewitz]

I just did the Gran Fondo „Cyclo Tour du Leman“ as an average cyclist and I absolutely love it. The organisation was perfect and the distance 176km.❤

[@ebmike8]

I love sportives. I participate in multiple Gran Fondo events every year and that's really the only time I ride and socialize with other cyclists. Aside from my zwift riding buddies, I am a solo rider/trainer. It also gives me a reason to train towards something because the money and time will be invested. Keeps you honest when its your time and money that's at stake!

[@gcn]

nice! Which is your favourite event to ride in?

[@MartinGrisley]

Having just completed Ride London 100 which was my first sportive, I found the target of the event a great motivator to train as well as having the luxury of closed roads to embark on the sportive journey. I plan on doing more now and would prioritise those which might cost more, but offer a more controlled and safer experience. Not having to think about cars for 6.5 hours was a delight 🙂

[@lejfk5488]

Sportives often have SAG support which is a plus. Some events (gravel) give you access to private roads you don’t have year round. Plus, they focus the best routes vetted by the cycling locals taking the guess work out of remote route planning. (If you go on another date - you can usually crib the route from the event website.) In terms of cost, try doing any other out of town multi hour event which costs less than $100. If lodging costs are prohibitive, there is often a camping option. Sportives usually are fund raising events for the local cycling club or other charities, so you’re having fun and helping good causes. Also, they often provide a financial boost for smaller remote communities. Plus, nothing can help you get up that big climb at the end of the ride than a group of supportive volunteers telling you can do it. Sportives both got me into cycling and have allowed me to explore multiple new cycling routes across my entire state. (California, US.) This site is supposed to be promoting cycling - what are you doing knocking Sportives?

[@julianallen515]

I used to love the reliability Trials we had back i the 90s. Every month through the winter there would be one increasing in distance to make sure you arrived at Spring in shape. The printed direction sheet and self seed in speed groups were all you needed. To do a 50 mile in December, 100km in January, 100 mile in February and you're good to go. Ask Dan if he remembers the BJW RTs. Sadly, these went out of fashion as cycle clubs got less popular.

[@rderouck]

Ten years ago I rode local sportives in Belgium for €8, which included insurance, two food supplies and minimal signage. The high-end sportives like the Tour of Flanders or LBL were €22/25. Even with inflation, there is no way I will pay €50 or more to ride my own bike

[@Mediaradical]

Even the Tour of Flanders is only about £50, and travel/accommodation are cheap too. Im with you, Belgium is fantastic for events (and casual touring). Ik houd van België

[@johnwoodard8717]

For those of us who don't race, fondos can be a very nice replacement. Even when you're alone, you're not; riders are passing you (or getting passed by you), you see tons of riders at the feed stations, sometimes you fall into groups and meet new people, but honestly even just that feeling at the starting line is kind of awesome.

[@cannon1156]

Every year in November I go to Thailand to enter a fondo style event in Chiang Rai. The event costs about $US50. This includes timing chip, free food and drinks after the event and an event jersey. A great event that gets around 3-4000 entries over the 4 distances

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

The Hack/Bodge bike means that Non-Driveside photos are always a bodge. Also, pretty sure Stick Guy used two sticks...one inside the seatpost, and the visible one to stabilize rotation.

[@rosti1809]

That's what he did. 😉

[@ericadammartin]

Went to Sea Otter for the Fuego and this year the “post-race meal” that was presumably included in the outrageous race fee was a handful of lettuce, three tiny slices of chicken the size of three fingers, and a charcuterie of Doritos. Want to participate in the events taking place in my backyard but man that was not worth it.

[@gcn]

What did you make of the atmosphere though?

[@AlanCallow]

Don't mind Sportives with Closed roads or Like Stonehaven's MSBH free entry to a beer festival but this only £30!. Have moved to Audaxes over last couple of years £3-10 entry and you're still a part of a bigger event

[@johne7100]

Love the way you managed to avoid mentioning Audax.

[@blorg8206]

They should have mentioned it but I guess "reliability trials" are a related concept, as in, organised but non-profit, cheap and more self-sufficient. Audax/randonneuring is more international though, you have this all over while "reliability trials" I think are a particularly UK thing.

[@johne7100]

@@blorg8206 Never heard of them. I sounds as if they wanted to run Audaxes but the name was already taken. Last time I looked it was a registered trademark of the Union des Audax Français, and the Audax Club Parisien had a dispensation to use it. Maybe the "reliability" bunch are Brexiters. 😀

[@flanners41]

Gave up sportives over 10yrs ago....felt i gained absolutely nothing riding on public roads apart from a time...the cost of entry became a joke with what i felt was huge profiteering by organisers

[@gregknipe8772]

the annual spring ironman ride in Minneapolis Minnesota was my first chance to ride 100 miles on a well marked, organized course. a priceless experience, with many many repeat riders each year. great intro to road cycling, a great spring time calling to get the bike and body ready for summer.

[@jaydeister9305]

THE NEXT BIG LEAP IN RIDING: 1.) PERSONAL SAG WAGON, driven by FSD(full self driving)(electrical vehicle). Default condition: drives in basic 5 mile points, waits for you to pass when parked, then proceeds to scout next stop point(unless you redirect because of mechanical/overnight stop). 2.) DOMESTIQUE RIDER, robot valet(Tesla Optimus); rides a number one position, shelter from wind and potholes, allows for drafting, etc.

[@orvillealdrich7601]

Great show! Love the bantering between Hank and Manon😂👌

[@bobtaylor5235]

An Audax is the way to go. In my experience, good feed stations, gpx routes and dirt cheap.

[@jlp071570]

Actually participating in the Rebound 2024 (15 miles) this Saturday... Have also signed up for a local "race" here in Texas... "Stampede on the Chisholm Trail" is scheduled for June 8 with an 8 am start time... I am signed up for the 30 mile course...

[@gcn]

let us know how you get on!

[@jlp071570]

@@gcn Most definitely... Will be sharing my GoPro footage of both on my own page...

[@jlp071570]

@@gcn 30 miler was a success with a time of 2 hr 18 min. Still processing that footage.

[@LIFE_ToBeContinued]

I just entered the Tuscany Trail 2024. Yes, I met Conor. It was my first ever organised cycling event. I cycled alone and, like Hank says, I used it as a destination, a goal, a personal challenge, to explore my boundaries. I rode 336km in one ride (2/3hrs sleep) with an 8am Saturday start and stopping in Volterra on Sunday night. Although I deviated from the 'official' route after Siena and stuck to the tarmac, the event really fulfilled my ambitions. So I am now looking for my next organised cycling event (strictly road!) and I'm looking forward to seeing Connors Tuscany Trail video.

[@martinsoelby5902]

I have ridden the Gran Fondo Stelvio Santini twice (2016 & 2018). It was worth the money. Closed roads and the possibility to test you talent on the decents, great food and service along the route.

[@gcn]

Sounds like a dream! Where do we sign up 👌

[@buffalo_expat_bill]

I have 3 organized supported (non-competitive) rides in my area that I pay to ride every year. I enjoy being part of a larger group of riders and having supported rest stops and sag wagon. I also like getting the tshirt and/or buying a jersey, though generally only wear them after the ride. Most of my riding is usually with one of my friends (self supported). This includes my longest ever ride.

[@shaunharper8153]

I've done a few sportives. I enjoyed them all. It's a good excuse to get away for a couple of days and gives you something to train for. I've ran the marathon distance on my own then three weeks later I ran the Loch Ness Marathon. The event felt more special than running it on my own, but running it on my own I think was a better accomplishment.

[@HabaneroTi]

I used to ride and run the occasional "fun" event (STP, NYM, TDB, Corporate Challenge), but would only do it now if the price was reasonable and not an obvious profit maker for greedy sponsors who make a ton just off of the massive corporate sponsorship, and mostly attracts locals just looking to have fun and not compete to see who's the biggest pro poser riding a $10k bike that no non-pros really need. NYC's City Streets is such an event, along with the various Tour de Boroughs. But anything that's clearly aimed at the six figure very disposable income crowd who can barely fix a flat is just not my cup of tea.

[@Uppercottage2]

Love it when you guys do a show, especially the’lovely bits’ Hank!….🥴🤪

[@markbulmer1840]

I love sportives. I started doing them last year in North Yorkshire. The events are brilliantly run as you said lots of signs to help you and great feed stops. Even mobile mechanics, motorbike paramedics along the route. The ones I have done are velo29 in the York area. Great roads and great people. I’m going a one in 3 weeks, York to Lincoln 262km can’t wait.

[@dthornew]

I entered my first sportiv last week (at 67). I really enjoyed the closed roads and got a ton of energy from the crowds along the whole course - and I was nowhere near the front. I do a lot of work with Strava but it just doesn’t compare to the incentive of holding a wheel or the emotion of sprinting for the finish line.

[@CartarioTheFarmer]

Great to see Manon so animated! Great job, guys. Super fun!

[@triggamusician]

I like riding alone at my own pace. Occasionally I sign up for a sportive. The Amstel Gold Race is very early in the season but it gives me a goal and that motivates me to stay on the bike during winter. I signed up for another one that involves a fair amount of climbing and I am not a climber. So I am basically at my own training camp right now. Two is enough for me. Not because of the money but these two give me long term goals, motivation and push me to go harder so I can perform well once "race day" has come.

[@MagicM66]

Usually a solo rider, hooked up with two other solo riders at the first feed and the three of us pushed each other for all of us to reach our very first century this weekend. Without the event, it wouldn’t happen and has the opportunity to meet

[@gcn]

We love this! It's always great to hear the community pulling together 👌

[@stevenqirkle]

Just did a 210km sportive last weekend, and had a blast. I went with a group of local riders, and it was great to catch up with everyone - some of whom I hadn't seen in a year. Hotel and transportation were a bit expensive, but we were able to cut down on costs by carpooling and sharing hotel rooms. The actual event cost seems to be going up every year, but still seems very reasonable given all the aid stations, support crew, people directing traffic, etc. It's a completely different atmosphere than if I just went and did the same course as a normal group ride. It also gave me motivation to train in the Spring. Now I'm looking to sign up for another sportive in fall just to keep that motivation up.

[@gcn]

Awesome! Keep pushing Steven 🙌 210km is a big ride... but the times flys when you've got great company

[@casquilho]

The local county club sportives in our area are all less than $100 US, though just north of us, the Whistler Gran Fondo can cost well over $200. In addition to the food stops, I've also gotten free socks and arm warmers that I use - those came from a local club sportive that had 625 riders and I think was about $80 to ride. Saw lots of great territory and had a great day out.

[@jonbingham7525]

Best 'non sportive' Sportive is the Isle of Wight Randonee - 100km circular route well sign posted, plenty of feed stations and all the fun of catching the ferry to get there. Best bit is it's totally free to enter - yes Free - you can of course make a donation to the organisers ' Wayfarer Cycle Touring Club' according to what you can afford - but if all sportives were like this I would do more

[@terrymulhern5092]

A bit of column A, a bit of column B... I love sportives both on the road and gravel. It was a great way to get started cycling in my 50s. A cycling buddy and I still do one every couple of months. But the cost is a definite con, especially if the roads are not closed. However, the training I've done over the last few years and the confidence I've gained from sportives has encouraged me to get into solo gravel adventures. I plan a route, and set off into the wilds of Victoria and Tasmania. To be safer on my own, I have satellite emergency beacon (but yet to be used, touch wood).

[@kibbee890]

We have a charity ride for the local children's hospital every year in my city and it's a great event. Entry fees are low, or free if you raise enough in donations. Such a great ride and I have fun every year. I've been doing it for over 15 years. We had over 7000 participants this year.

[@oranjetoeters1]

Always loved these . Always treated them like races given there's timings and rankings etc. It gives me focus for my training and also a sense of achievement

[@craiggreen4388]

GRAVEL. I hadn't realised they were in decline. Funny we were only chatting about sportive's last week, agreeing there's no point in paying to ride on open roads & the food stops will never make up for extortionate entry fees. Sorry but it doesn't matter how you dress up an event, £50-60quid to ride your bike in a group is nutts! I've done 3 myself. Any event of this type always feels like a money making exercise first & foremost. By the time you've parked a car, queued for a number/signed on etc you just feel like cattle. Hardly a good way to begin a long bike ride. Even in these times of inflated costs, no (uk) sportive is worth more than a £15 entry fee.

[@michaelevans797]

I enjoy both and participate in both. I train on turbo trainer and the road with friends. I enter approximately 3 sportives a year from 120km to 300 km. Normally with a lot of climbing. I do have to keep an eye on the price. For training we often re ride the sportives on our own, following on our Garmins.

[@anthonykidd6595]

I used to love sportives around 2015 to 2016. Especially closed roads.atmosphere is incredible but once you've done quite a few I actually prefer riding by myself or in small groups now.

[@WowRixter]

If it's under $150 I'd consider it. The Whistler GF that I rode 6x is now $400 for last minute registration. I'm not paying that. I rode the Tour des Stations twice, it was amazing. Affordable, incredibly well organized, good food stops. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@mattmatthews5414]

I love Lael. I didn’t know she also did no padding. I’ll recommend LLBean merino longjohns under Lucky 410 jeans for long miles if you’re more of a rider & stomper than a sit-n-poke’er.

[@gcn]

Lael is so cool! She's been padding free for a while and it doesn't seem to be stopping her 👀

[@ArneHulstein]

I love a serious gran fondo where the roads are closed and that has that competitive spirit. I am not the fastest, but it does stretch me, and it forces me to be there on the date. I am not a fan of a sportive where you still share the roads with other road users and end up with 10,000 people sharing a bike path. That is the point where I would rather ride the same route alone. Well, except the Coast to Coast in a Day, because of the length of the whole thing. It is not something to attempt alone. Having said that, we still have to do that now as the organizer has gone belly up...

[@jagrutirathod]

Hi, what happened to the bikefest this year? Will it be back next year?

[@gcn]

hi, who knows! maybe it will come back, but it is not planned in 2024. thanks!

[@jagrutirathod]

@@gcn please bring it back 😊 I had fun last year!

[@robbchastain3036]

@@gcn Please do a vid on what happened. Was that event swept away like the app and such? No knock either way, just that not saying anything leaves us wondering why an explanation was too much of a bother.

[@1NobleGiant]

They just described the 5 Boro Bike tour in New York City perfectly. The race fees can go up to $400 USD and with 42K participants it gets crowded for many parts of the ride

[@beksmith6382]

Hank and Manon are the best team! Great energy and good chemistry.

[@TheChancerdog1]

I like the aura of the events. Well put together events have traffic diverted and as well and are safer which is always appreciated

[@nicholasabela4322]

Sportives are definitely fun! I did my first one last Saturday: La Chouffe Classic in the Ardennes, and I can't wait for the next one this Saturday. Personally, cycling is more than just a performance sport-it's a hobby too. Sportives are a great way to mix up your training routine while exploring new places. Plus, the idea is to make the sportive the highlight of your day, I guess making a day out of it & not just going out cycling coming back and continuing with your day as you would on your normal training days. Goodluck Sy, for the World Championships🚴🦾!

[@socopower]

In my view, sportives are great IF the route is challenging for you. They give you extra motivation and vibe to achieve what you’d normally struggle to achieve on your own. If it’s an easy route for you, then not so great, unless you are training for another sportive of course! :D

[@Blakey9]

They are a great way to book a weekend someplace new as we did recently for my wife Nicky’s birthday at the Surrey Hills Classic . Got up early drove to the start 2 hours away did the ride and check in to the hotel for a well earned night out !! Good motivator for training improvements ie book one that’s a bit too tough knowing it’s coming up in couple months !! It was also how we started cycling booked a 100 mile ride from our beach holiday 10 months before !! Feeling part of the cycling family meeting new people . Helps our lazy mate keep pedalling too we enter him !😂😂

[@spunkysandoval]

I don't do organized sport events. Too many people

[@timoakley277]

Also expensive. Very expensive

[@wightsurfer]

I'm happy to do sportives for charity. Locally, in Somerset, we have a sportive for Weston Hospice and Somerset & Devon Air Ambulance, but I wouldn't pay to ride on roads I use all the time. I also like the odd off road sportive as these are great for discovering paths you haven't used before and wouldn't know about

[@chrispostlethwaite6090]

Cylcotour du Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) last weekend was amazing - beautiful views, great atmosphere and great organization (incl. feed stations!)

[@gcn]

What more could you want 🙌

[@JanneRasanen2]

That area sure has views glad you got to experience it. 🎉

[@TheAttyjace]

The fact that all the sportives I attended are in coordination with the local police and that there are Marshalls on motorcycles in front, at the side and at the back will make me choose sportives all the time

[@gcn]

Do you feel safe in the larger group of cyclists?

[@adrianphillips8627]

Ramble on, please love it. As Newby to whisky at 70 have a lot to catch up on 😂

[@rossjames858]

For the caption competition: Tadej: "Here! Let me pull your hair through your vents, too!"