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OPINION

If You Can’t See My Handlebars…

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VecchioJo offers advice on how to survive a sportive.

…I Cant See You.

We want cyclists to stay safe when cycling near other vehicles, especially larger ones, like sportive riders. The safety advice is simple, “Stay safe, stay away”.

The “Stay safe, stay away” advice applies to cyclists when cycling near to moving Sportive riders or approaching any stationary Sportivists on the road, at junctions, traffic lights, on climbs or at feed stations. It's important to stay out of the risk zone and get into a position where the sportive rider can see you over their Garmin.

Follow our tips below to find out how to protect yourself.

 

Safety tips

Cycle sensibly and assertively to help yourself. Stay safe, especially at traffic lights, junctions, corners, straight roads, climbs, descents, and anywhere that might be a Strava segment. 

* Recognise that sportive riders may not be able to see you, and are often oblivious to your presence.

*Never cycle up the left side of a sportivist riding in the middle of the road.

*Look out for sportive riders wandering left or right for no reason in front of you.

*If a rider comes up behind you, move forward enough merely to ensure you are in the sportivist’s field of vision and in no way to try and drop them. 

*In front of a Sportive rider is often the safest place to be. When you need to overtake a large sportivist, do so on the right-hand side at speed, so that the rider can’t keep up with you.

 

Be Aware

The risk zone area can be the full length and width of the road, with the sportivist unable to see anyone cycling beside them on the left, or the right. 


*Both new and experienced cyclists have been hurt in collisions with sportivists. This often happens when a sportive rider veers left to stop on a climb, to look at the view, to take off his gilet, to put on his arm-warmers or turn into a feed zone, hitting innocent cyclists on the nearside.

*Don't assume any large gap between sportivists is safe. When veering across the road for no reason large riders often wobble over to the right before they swing sharply across to the left to stop. 


*Don't risk your life by trying to pass sportive riders when they are stopped at junctions, they may simply be confused by the arrows and could suddenly turn either left or right. Wait until they have moved on, and turn the other way.

 

“Stay safe, stay away” is dedicated to reducing sportivists danger to cyclists through the use of awareness and reliability trials.

Jo Burt has spent the majority of his life riding bikes, drawing bikes and writing about bikes. When he's not scribbling pictures for the whole gamut of cycling media he writes words about them for road.cc and when he's not doing either of those he's pedaling. Then in whatever spare minutes there are in between he's agonizing over getting his socks, cycling cap and bar-tape to coordinate just so. And is quietly disappointed that yours don't He rides and races road bikes a bit, cyclo-cross bikes a lot and mountainbikes a fair bit too. Would rather be up a mountain.

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47 comments

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The _Kaner | 10 years ago
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/132243146796683/?fref=ts

sometimes the money is for charity...but yeah, why pay to ride on a road that is free every other day of the year...maybe it's for the (sometimes...well stocked) food stops and marshalling provided by some well run sportives.

We don't all ride in/for clubs - and dress as we please...so overall I'd say (tongue in check or not) a rather condescending attempt at lording it over leisure cyclists in general...

#annoyedsportivist

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mybrainthinksim... | 10 years ago
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Feck me there's a real sense of humour failure going on in here, brighten up ffs  1

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Municipal Waste replied to mybrainthinksimfitterthanireallyam | 10 years ago
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mybrainthinksimfitterthanireallyam wrote:

Feck me there's a real sense of humour failure going on in here, brighten up ffs  1

Pretty much what I was thinking!

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Chuck | 10 years ago
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I like VechhiJo's stuff but IMO this misses the mark. It's patronising and just sounds like he needs to get over himself. This isn't what comes across in his other stuff, so maybe it's just my sense of humour needs recalibrating today.

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Mrs. Pranita Ag... | 10 years ago
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really great tips! hope someone could give the sportive car owners a few to abide with...

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Matt eaton | 10 years ago
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Hillarious comments on a light-hearted and humerous article.

I still can't get my head round what sportives are for. They seem to give riders little more than a finishing time which doesn't mean anything in such a mixed ability field. Do the same with a stopwatch and repeat the route a few times and, bobs your uncle, you have something meaningful and hopefully have made some progress.

Outside the cycling community sportives are not well regarded and feelings within cycling are very mixed. Personally I just don't see the point of them. They seem to cater for riders who would like to race but aren't quick enough and I think British Cycling have a call to answer on this front. There should be more entry level competition to cater for such riders rather than this idea of 'its not a race' sportives. If you want to race you should be able to, whatever your ability.

Finally, Zam's comments promoting excessive consumerism don't sit well with me. Of course, the cycle industry support top riders and this is only possible becuause they sell us stuff but the buying habits of many are simply wasteful. I don't completly understand the compulsion to feel like your supporting top riders anyway, worry about your own ride and just have fun with it dude.

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Colin Peyresourde replied to Matt eaton | 10 years ago
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Matt eaton wrote:

Hillarious comments on a light-hearted and humerous article.

I still can't get my head round what sportives are for. They seem to give riders little more than a finishing time which doesn't mean anything in such a mixed ability field. Do the same with a stopwatch and repeat the route a few times and, bobs your uncle, you have something meaningful and hopefully have made some progress.

Outside the cycling community sportives are not well regarded and feelings within cycling are very mixed. Personally I just don't see the point of them. They seem to cater for riders who would like to race but aren't quick enough and I think British Cycling have a call to answer on this front. There should be more entry level competition to cater for such riders rather than this idea of 'its not a race' sportives. If you want to race you should be able to, whatever your ability.

Finally, Zam's comments promoting excessive consumerism don't sit well with me. Of course, the cycle industry support top riders and this is only possible becuause they sell us stuff but the buying habits of many are simply wasteful. I don't completly understand the compulsion to feel like your supporting top riders anyway, worry about your own ride and just have fun with it dude.

+1 - Not sure which planet Zam's on. This seems to be about plain riding etiquette - it does have the consequence of being a bit condescending to some riders, and in the main is probably not necessary. Give any rider you don't know a wide berth unless you want to face plant on tarmac.

As someone has never ridden for a club, but I've done enough group riding with friends that I know what I'm about, but I recognise the 'quality' of a lot of sportive riders and treat them accordingly.

When I rode the RAB some Idiots seemed to get their knickers twisted as I've passed them (wide on the right) shouting at me to announce my passing them. Personally I think they should be looking over their shoulder, and regardless I'll look out for them. Mostly I think they were just piqued that I've overtaken them when they thought they were going quickly and hadn't expected to be passed. I'm not sure announcing yourself is the best way, I certainly don't like being unexpectedly shouted at by random strangers who pass me.

But I have to say the people I love most at Sportives, apart from the ones dressed as Bradley and Froomedog (nothing says 'I've just got into cycling' more than that, except a large waistline), are those riding commuter bikes with bar end extensions for time trialling. It's the most confused piece of cycling engineering ever....Light touch paper and boom - In for a penny, in for a pound.

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Bob's Bikes | 10 years ago
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Gosh if he had included a comment on bike helmets and earphones the responders would have gone up in flames.

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kylemalco | 10 years ago
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If all you can see is your handlebars get off the road plenty of club riders thinking they are Gilbert and thus fast enoughto own the road

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badback replied to kylemalco | 10 years ago
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kylemalco wrote:

If all you can see is your handlebars get off the road plenty of club riders thinking they are Gilbert and thus fast enoughto own the road

 1 Yup one or two seem to be on a mission and have issues with social etiquette. (and I'm a club rider - one who climbs slower than a stannah stairlift so has no chance of imitating a pro).

I think that cycling is a broad church and every 'chapter' has its characters who are the exception rather than the rule. I feel/think the original piece was just picking up on this.

I occasionally get the mick taken out of me because I still ride a steel bike, but I can take it on the cheek and give as good as I get (I usually reply by saying that at least my bike has scrap value). It's called banter and happens in life.

Just get on your bike and enjoy the ride.

Paul.

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ficklewhippet | 10 years ago
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Wow. How do some of the commenters on here manage to sit and pedal with stumps up their arse?
We can take the piss out of each other whichever riding clique we belong too...surely? Who GAF? Really??

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Leviathan | 10 years ago
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Zam, thanks for the splenetic invective for your first post. I hope you will contribute your forthright opinion on other subjects. However having reread the post I have to admit it is all a bit tongue in cheek, there is no need to get so worked up. It is pointing out that the 'Sportivist' is a big beast with bizarre habits. It might come from a kernel of true, there are a plenty of people with a 'stay out of my way' attitude but it is trying to be at least amusing.

Meanwhile I do wonder what people are going on about when they say a sportive is not a race. It is, there is a set course, timing, even marshalls. Yer there is no real peloton, it is more like a mass timetrial because there are such mixed abilities, but a race it definitely is. People are trying to get from A to B as quickly as they can. If you don't choose to push as hard as you can that's your bag, don't expect others not to. Having said that I do prefer closed road events as open roads events do mix it with traffic. And I don't agree with snobs who say 'if you want to race, do a cat X race.' Err no, you do that; some people don't have every other Sunday morning to go off racing, they might be too busy or just not good enough to stay with a pack of amateur wannabes. So a sportive is ideal for all comers, so all kinds of riders enter.

So a sportive is a race, or not. A sportive is a sportive, get used to it.

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zam | 10 years ago
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What a piece of self-obsessive crap. If this is the opinion of road.cc, then I'm off, and I would think most self-respecting bike enthusiast would be too.

Who really do you think regularly reads this website? Sir Wiggo - nope, Froomy - nope, Cav? You get the idea. It's the 99%+ social riders who just like being on a bike and actively engage in social 'sportives' - almost certainly.

These are the very same people who spend hard-earned money on the expensive bikes, gear and Garmin computers. They are the same enthusiasts who may at some point purchase various SKY paraphernalia to show support of our proud national achievements. These are the very same people who, by way of their huge group buying power allow teams, technology and riders to develop and flourish - via sponsorship and revenue. These are the people who actually buy things from road.cc via sponsored inks and adverts that 'may' pay your fees (although I really do hope you don't get paid to write this crap).

I could easily write an article which stereotyped the 'club rider' or 'bike snob' which would include bizarre facial hair, reynolds tubing, working in a bike shop, hanging out with my 'mates' in a cafe. Having no disposable income or wearing no helmet because 'I'm such a fantastic rider'. The 'I could have been a pro', however I made a conscious decision to imply my superiority in a blog instead. However I won't, as this would provide no positive contribution for the bike community apart from frustrate some by its opinionated inaccuracies.

Instead, I'm off for a ride on my overly expensive bike, Garmin 810 and brand spanking new Vector pedals, whilst wrapped in the finest reassuringly expensive Rapha from head to toe. You see, I do my bit for the cycling economy and this in-turn affords them to sponsor the SKY Team. You see how it works?

Thought for the day... Why do you think SKY and Jaguar sponsor the SKY Team? To appeal to the niche 'club rider, 'bike snob'? Or maybe their target market is the average joe sportive rider? Hopefully, you should have come to the sensible conclusion. Now, consider what the effect of all that sponsorship on competitive cycling for the UK over the last decade?

Finally, ask yourself who is REALLY making the difference for cycling in the UK?
CLUE: It's not your blog.

PS. tony_farrelly, I understand what you are trying to achieve, which is challenging. Although there is nothing wrong with this specific article, It's important that you understand that road.cc IS legally responsible for ALL content on this website. Endorsed, edited or not. Your line at the bottom of the page 'All content © Farrelly Atkinson Ltd ' will affirm this in a court of law and implies unreserved ownership.

PPS. Even though I have shared my frustration on this specific article, I enjoy road.cc and the frequent email updates and snippets. So, please keep up the good work.

Soap Box moment over, off for a ride.

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timb27 | 10 years ago
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Before you start nodding in smug self-satisfaction, consider all the motorists who think they're amazing drivers and point out how shit everyone else is.

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Ronstermonster | 10 years ago
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Nobody mentioned rule #5 yet.... or is that not appropriate here. And by the way wear a helmet. Oh and if you see me pass you on the road (or as is more likely, you pass me) its not Sylvain Chavanel you have bumped into, I'm just wearing his shirt, and I don't care if I didn't win the right to wear it. I'm not not actually French you see, nor do I have any hair and if I did, I wouldn't have highlights.

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PJ McNally | 10 years ago
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This is hilarious. I say this as someone who rode 2 sportives several years ago, as a new "sportivist". Wasn't much good riding in a group. Crashed in a sharp left-hand turn the first time (although not in a close group).

I think most of us have been there at some point, and it's entirely reasonable to poke fun at some of the more "erratic" riding, which I'm sure we've all been guilty of.

And if it gets more people out riding in groups, working on their skills, at their universities, workplaces, or just "proper" club runs, what's not to like?

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stealth | 10 years ago
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Just come back from a charity ride around part of Europe. Very mixed abilities, some had never ridden in groups before. Some of them I would not like to ride behind as erratic could be described as generous! However, those who do know the rules for group riding tried to encourage safety by teaching some hand signals(!) and basic instructions (do not brake in a 'pace' line, do not move erratically, etc. It was quite nice to ride in the convoy at the end to see that many had taken it on board. Some people just need a nudge, some need telling & some need to be shouted at. Talking to them is best though, they are often completely unaware that they are doing anything wrong.

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Mostyn | 10 years ago
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Consider all; and appreciate everyone riding a bicycle. Or maybe your the : I'm the greatest kind of Pratt? a Selfindugent numpty.

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Al__S | 10 years ago
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worth pointing out that this sort of thing is common to very many sports- you should see the inter-class banter that infects sailing (and we have the best part of 300 active classes in the UK alone); lighthearted snobbery is not harmful

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oilymoyle | 10 years ago
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Well that was a waste of time reading this.

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broomwagonblog replied to oilymoyle | 10 years ago
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oilymoyle wrote:

Well that was a waste of time reading this.

Brilliant.

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Topcat | 10 years ago
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I'm sure I've done some silly things when new to road riding and events. I'd rather someone took the piss then got upset about it!

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ilovemytinbred | 10 years ago
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It is funny though.

You should hear the things we say about triathletes  16

Or the things those mean road racers say about time trial guys like me.  20

Do not get too upset about a bit of gentle piss taking, all the guys I know are really supportive of helping new folk into the sport.

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Mostyn replied to ilovemytinbred | 10 years ago
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ilovemytinbred wrote:

It is funny though.

You should hear the things we say about triathletes  16

Or the things those mean road racers say about time trial guys like me.  20

Do not get too upset about a bit of gentle piss taking, all the guys I know are really supportive of helping new folk into the sport.

What about the old brigade of X- rr & tt cyclists, those that can no-longer keep the pace they once had. Would you consider a we bit of ridicule of them?

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podgethepuffer | 10 years ago
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I just wish I could pen such words. Brilliant, yet all so true. For the most extreme, why not try the London to Brighton Bike Ride: just take it as a day out and just watch the inexperienced as they reach a climb, stop, look, without seeing, and just get off where they've stopped. Meanwhile mayhem ensues behind. But, it's a day out [on your bike] and great fun.

Whatever the event, so long as it gets people out on bikes, then that's so much the better, isn't it.

Why not read my blog entry 'kidnapped by the Frenchies' - Just another day in saddle by an old Codger.  35

http://podgethepuffer.com/2013/07/16/day-3-kidnapped-by-the-frenchies/

Must keep pedalling; Must keep pedalling.

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giff77 | 10 years ago
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I thought it was pretty much tongue in cheek. Brightened up my day  36 looking forward to the winter months and empty roads and a time to not dodge the sportive spring trainers  19 though they'll all be on their turbos no doubt  19

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MartinH | 10 years ago
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@badback

I assume the Strava data widget in your signature is there to indicate that you're being ironic?  3

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badback replied to MartinH | 10 years ago
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MartinH wrote:

@badback

I assume the Strava data widget in your signature is there to indicate that you're being ironic?  3

Too right.  3

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Tony Farrelly | 10 years ago
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+1 Otis (that's one of the reasons I don't do sportives - the other is that like russyparkin I struggle to get beyond paying £25 to ride on a road I could ride for free any other time)

One of the things roadcc is supposed to be is an informal club for those people who don't or won't belong to a cycling club.

I should also point out that the 'road' in road.cc doesn't mean we're roadie.cc we set the site up to cater for everyone who rides on the road, no matter what or where they ride.

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Tony Farrelly | 10 years ago
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@jasonhewitt

At road.cc we want to see as many new people on bikes as possible - sportivists? Bring 'em on we say the more the better.

But this is Vecchiojo's blog,and much as we love him there's no getting away from the fact he's an unapologetic and thorough-going bike snob just cos it's on roadcc doesn't mean it carries our editorial endorsement. On his blog though, he can say what he likes.

Personally I'm slightly baffled as to why, if all these 'sportivists' make doing a sportive such a chore so many 'proper riders' continue to do them? Could it be that to every rider on these events the rider in front is a 'sportivist'?

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