Guest Blog: Wiggle Wight Winter Sportive Ride Report
One of my team mates Jack Elton-Walters rode the Wiggle Wight Winter Sportive on Sunday and had a very enjoyable ride. He very kindly offered to let me blog his ride report; I hope that it will inspire you to come to the Isle of Wight to ride your bike sometime soon. For further ideas on a weekend cycling break on the island, please check out this blog: A Weekend Cycling Break on the Isle of Wight.
Jack's Ride Report:
Leading in to the sportive I was quite excited to get out and ride my home roads with a larger number of riders and in a structured event; rather than just turning home when the legs feel a bit heavy. Once I got going, the enjoyment of the whole thing was increased by how well organised the day was: impeccable signage, friendly staff and a very well thought out route.
Jack's Ride Report:
"Coming
right at the end of the season, and on my own glorious Isle of Wight, I just
couldn’t miss the opportunity to ride another Wiggle – UK Cycling Events
Sportive.
A few
weeks previous I’d done the South Downs Sportive and, despite a funny five
minutes in the middle, had pretty much loved the whole thing. So with this one
starting just 30 minutes from my house, I had to take part.
My
weapon of choice for training, racing and sportives is a 2010 Fuji Roubaix, on
which I recently upgraded everything except the frame. A new carbon bottom
bracket, carbon cranks, new wheels and entire new Centos drivetrain gave some
much needed weight saving and a far more efficient ride.
In
terms of riding experience, mine is fairly middling and it’s only this year
that I’ve properly got in to cycling, although my love of the sport dates back
much further than that. Starting as a necessity when commuting to a summer job
on an old Kona mountain bike, buying my Fuji whilst at university kick started
a love affair with the sport that I can’t see ending.
This
year I joined and raced for the Isle of Wight’s Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle
Race Team, taking part in closed circuit races across the south of England. I
also got into triathlons, completing the London Virgin and West Wight events.
Leading in to the sportive I was quite excited to get out and ride my home roads with a larger number of riders and in a structured event; rather than just turning home when the legs feel a bit heavy. Once I got going, the enjoyment of the whole thing was increased by how well organised the day was: impeccable signage, friendly staff and a very well thought out route.
The
route itself, as I mentioned, was very well devised. Taking in some of our best
and most testing climbs, great scenic rolling roads and some fast flats it had
something for everyone. The first hour or so needed particular concentration
due to heavily frosted roads, but some well-placed event marshals ensured the
worst icy patches were highlighted. Avoiding larger roads and busier towns, the
route weaved its way around some of the Island’s – and UK’s – best natural
scenery. Although far from alpine in profile, the Isle of Wight is certainly
not flat, and the route made the most of this by never quite letting riders
settle before the next section of ups and downs.
Obviously
not competitive by definition as a sportive, it was great fun over taking
middle aged men on bikes worth more than the average car on the smallest of
hills, only for them to thunder past on the following descent, and lag again on
the flats. Interactions with other riders varied from a full day’s riding with
my two mates, to courteous hellos as we overtook (or were overtaken by!) other
participants. There were also sections where we were joined by other riders:
lone rangers just tagging on for a bit of a rest and whole groups who we worked
with to pace our way up the climbs.
The
atmosphere on the day was jovial and happy, and fairly determined in the face
of the wintry weather. Everyone was in good spirits and glad to be out riding.
Despite the cold the sun was out and made for a better day’s riding.
Generally
on the ride I felt great, physically and mentally. We went off at a fair pace,
but riding with two friends who are slightly slower and have a few less miles
in the legs meant I was never really putting in huge efforts. I stretched my
legs on a couple of climbs, particularly when there were people half way up to
aim for, but all in all just took the ride at my leisure and enjoyed every
mile. Unlike on the South Downs Sportive, when I didn’t eat or drink at regular
enough intervals, there was no lag this time and I felt on top form right up to
the end.
After
the ride I still felt pretty alright, although the cold got in a bit and my
legs were slightly stiffer than I would have hoped on the commute the following
morning. All in all this was a well-organised and enjoyable event that I’d
recommend to any rider of any ability. I’d gladly ride it again – and intend
to. I’m also already looking at the UK Cycling Events calendar and have ear
marked a few sportives through the season, dotted between road racing and
triathlons, mainly as a rest from competition and also to maintain the
endurance base I’m building this winter."
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