Cyclo Sportive definition

What is Cyclo Sportive?
Cyclo Sportives (spelt in several variants e.g. cyclo sportifs) are long distance, organised, mass participation cycling ‘events’ - not races - typically held annually. Sportives challenge participants to complete a set course, usually between 100 and 200km, within a time constraint. Organisers typically offer two distance choices and will provide support with supervising marshals and food and/or water stations which will be heartily welcomed by entrants.

Sportives are the cycling cousin of running’s marathon. As with the 26 mile event, rather than racing other participants, sportives see cyclists challenge themselves in a personal battle against the distance and then ultimately, the clock. The already lengthy course will traditionally include climbs and difficult riding conditions, adding to the kudos of the event (e.g. the cobblestones of the Paris-Roubaix).

Who rides sportives?
These events are not just the preserve of hardened racing regulars, but they are certainly not for the faint hearted or unfit. The distance should be off-putting for any occasional summer cyclists, and, as the marathon would demand of a runner, genuine distance training must be performed well before considering joining the start line.

Sportives are open to all cyclists. No club membership or association is necessary, nor is there an ability criterion. This openness and the thrill of the challenge means sportives are becoming one of the UK’s most popular cycling disciplines.

Sportive event timings
Although sportives are not races, entrants’ times are recorded. This can encourage the fastest cyclists to push the pace. Therefore, entrants can often fall into a subliminal tortoise or hare categorising with faster riders working together to increase speed in a pro-peloton style. The majority of riders will simply be happy to complete the distance within the time allowance.

Established sportive events
Arguably the purest of the sportives is the French L’etape du Tour, held each July over a mountainous stage of that particular year’s Tour de France. This over-subscribed event sees approximately 7,500 riders in a unique environment as its roads are closed to traffic, duplicating the professionals’ conditions.

Another coveted French event mimics the legendary one-day classic Paris-Roubaix. Held bi-annually, this 260km (162 miles) sportive increases the test of reliability and endurance yet further with 26 sections of pavé which total some 42km (26miles). It is not uncommon for riders to break bikes and even bones over these cobbled roads.

Other notable events are the Cape Cycle Tour in South Africa which celebrated its 30th year in 2007 with 40,000 entrants. Italy’s Gran Fondo Pinarello and La Marmotte (France) are well known among the scores of torturous but popular European events.

Suitable bikes for the sportive
While the racing bike is the universal choice of machine, comfort and speed need to be considered in equal proportions. This will typically mean a slightly higher handle bar position to ease back strain. Manufacturers largely achieve this by increasing the frame’s head tube length.

In order to reduce rider fatigue, carbon fibre has superseded titanium and become the frame material of choice. Carbon provides a very forgiving frame with the impact absorption qualities of steel, coupled with the superior rigidity qualities of aluminium. Even greater comfort can be found with some manufacturers adding absorbing compounds within areas of their frames, forks and handle bars e.g. the Specialized Roubaix.