I’ve realised something: back when I used to road race I’d always hang back, waiting for a bunch sprint to happen.
In a sportive though, because of the number of riders and their varied abilities, I can smash it, safe in the knowledge that there’ll always be slower riders I can join up with when I’m shelled.
There’s nowhere near the fear about blowing up too early when you can find all levels of riders to join up with compared to a race where you’re saving it all for a key point.
So, I guess I’m just riding harder these days because there’s no sprint finish for me to save energy for. That and my sadistic coach ( just joking Law 🙂 )
That’s a damn good way of looking at sportive riding. I use the ‘go untill you blow’ tactic myself, but hadn’t realised that I do until reading your post……
c’est vrai! 🙂
I might have to reign it in a bit for Tour of Wessex and L2P. They are both going to be three v-e-r-y long days!