The S word

[Martin]

Helmets were compulsory (the only event I was aware of which has this stipulation apart from a few TT's where it's a district rule) are road races so not sure where a non-competitive event like this stands

A rescue service was offered (for 300 riders?)

...

Helmets are required in most UK cyclosport events. It's a condition of their insurance. I also find it presents a positive image to communities and authorities when I speak to them.

without wishing to fan the usual flames I agree; just that all other events outside RR's can usually only "strongly recommend"  but not mandate them as they are not a normal requirement for riding on the public highway (they are becoming compulsory on many French sportives too)

[StanThomas]

It's not a regulation but an insurance requirement: http://www.cyclosport.org/organiser/benefits.aspx"> .
No helmet, no ride.
And organisers can impose any additional condition they want on the same basis

[Martin]

thanks;

that policy seems very reasonable at 66p; just goes to show what a safe sport cycling is  (as an aside the only time I've needed a special holiday policy to cover the cycling aspect was PBP)

[rogerzilla]

And a good reason why you'll never see me on a sportive.  I don't like being told what to do when it's my own head at risk

[gordon taylor]

This thread has inspired me to find a sportive somewhere and ride it to see what it is like.

[Justin(e)]

I'm going to find a sportive somewhere and ride it to see what it is like.

Choose a proper one in France - you'll love it!

[JayP]

I did and I didn't. Give me Yorkshire ,Shropshire, Peak District, Wales anyday. I speak the language (sort of) and the food is luvly. There is a bit of the 'emporer's clothes' in all this France biz. No one dare suggest that Fleet Moss on a misty March morning is more inspiring than the sodding Alp d'huez when you can fry an egg on the hallowed tarmac

[frankly frankie]

the sodding Alp d'huez when you can fry an egg on the hallowed tarmac

You caught it on a good day then ...

[JayP]

lol Nice one

[StanThomas]

Even Dawes are in on the act. The old Dawes Audax is gone and there's a new range of Dawes Sportif for 2009.
http://www.dawescycles.com

[Really Ancien]

£2,999 for a Dawes, sheesh! Sportif, like Audax, but overpriced.
Dawes sportif ultra titanium bike
and it weighs 9.8 kg.
Probably a good time to investigate the old stock.
DAWES Audax Supreme 2008 2008 :: £720.00 :: BIKES :: Leisure Bikes - Tourers :: Spa Cycles, Harrogate - The touring cyclists specialist.

Damon.

[Dinamo]

I used my Dawes Audax 2005 model on a Sportif last year and it coped superbly, as it always has !
( it cost only £ 600  from Spa cycles ! )

[Greenbank]

£2,999 for a Dawes, sheesh! Sportif, like Audax, but overpriced.
Dawes sportif ultra titanium bike
and it weighs 9.8 kg.

A Condor Gran Fondo with Ultegra is £700 cheaper and at least 1kg lighter.

And people used to say that you pay over the odds just because it has Condor written on it.

[Max Tifosi]

It amuses me how different factions of our cycling fraternity get needlessly stressy about each other from time to time.

Why does one have to be classified as an audaxer, a sportiver, a tester, a roadie, a campaigner, etc?

I have experienced nearly every aspect of cycling and am a cyclist and enthusiast.

There is no doubt that the sportive boom is bringing lots of new people into the sport / pastime of cycling. Other facets of the sport are set to benefit from this boom, and I would identify 3 areas that are likely to feel this upswing the most:-
1) Cycle club membership - new riders who try a sportive and like it will look to push their hobby further and to mix socially with like minded people.
2) Time Trials - Although testing has been in decline, time trialling is an easy next step for a rider who has tried a couple of sportives, and would like to become a little competitive, even on a personal level. The CTT has a very similar "image" challenge to that mentioned above for AUK - ie Not flash, no PR etc etc.
3) Audaxing - An easy next step for a rider who has done a couple of sportives, and who might like to have a go at the longer distances. The thing is , these riders somehow need to stumble across Audaxing first and find out what is on offer.

One has to realise that all the new riders are individuals and will progress their cycling in many different ways. Thats fine, there's no need to get stressy about it, we are all cyclists, no matter what type of bike we ride.

Another valid point above is the one about large numbers of riders in sportives and potential problems to other road users / need for police involvement / any consequent regulation that might be imposed.
If the popularity of sportive riding keeps increasing this is very likely. I suppose all this would be speeded up if and when there is an unfortunate death in a sportive.
Possibly the sportive boom is reaching its peak , or will it become more popular still?
Who can call the top of a boom - Did anybody call the top of the tech boom or the house price boom? - Chapeau if you did!

[simonp]

£2,999 for a Dawes, sheesh! Sportif, like Audax, but overpriced.
Dawes sportif ultra titanium bike
and it weighs 9.8 kg.

A Condor Gran Fondo with Ultegra is £700 cheaper and at least 1kg lighter.

And people used to say that you pay over the odds just because it has Condor written on it.

And a Madone with Ultregra triple at last year's prices was £2300, 2.5kg lighter without pedals (but also no mudguards).  Perfectly comfortable for long distance cycling.  However I'm not sure the wheels are up to some of the crappy roads Audax events tend to use.

[Martin]

I'm going to find a sportive somewhere and ride it to see what it is like.

Choose a proper one in France - you'll love it!

+1 to that; L' Ardechoise and La Marmotte are still the most enjoyable cycle events I've ever done*; and for not much more than a UK sportive you get a whole weekend's experience gobsmacking scenery a massive supporting cast all manner of freebies closed (or virtually empty) roads and proper hospitality  and if you're really lucky you get to fly Ryanair to get there...

* there was another in France which escapes me