Road Cycling Events

All the Kit You Need for Your First Sportive

Not "all the gear" - but just the essentials for a great day out

Food & Drink

You don't need ALL the kit but some pieces will help
Feed stations are great, but take your own food so you know you have enough of what agrees with you. Image: lafugatravel.wordpress.com
A cycling jersey isn't a "must" but pockets, zips and and elasticated hems are useful
The Sportful Hotpack 5 Women's Road Cycling Jacket packs to a small size, and effectively keeps the windchill at bay
A clear plastic case for your phone and money is helpful

Food & Drink

On a ride longer than 90 minutes, you need to keep your body topped up with adequate hydration and enough carbohydrates to fuel your efforts.

Ask the Expert: What Should I Do When I Bonk When Cycling?

Nearly all sportives provide feed stations – points on the ride where you can fill up on flapjacks, jelly babies, often energy bars and energy drinks.

However, it’s best to use these as pit stops, and bring your own food and drink unless you really want to keep your pockets light, and know that the feed station food will agree with your stomach.

Natural Energy Gel Recipe: Apple Cinnamon

Make sure you have two bottle cages and two large bottles of energy drink or electrolyte drink and enough energy gels, bars, or carby snacks to keep you going – take more than you would for a ‘normal’ ride as cycling alongside other riders, you might find you push the intensity higher, burning more calories than on a steady ride on your own.