Essential Tips for Your Summer Cycling Sportive

Riding in the high mountains is one of the biggest challenges, and greatest rewards of a cycling sportive or Gran Fondo. Whether you’re tackling the legendary climbs of the Alps or the Dolomites, preparation is key. Here’s how to get your gearing, fuelling, and technique right to make the most of your event with Team Sports Tours cyclist Adam Newall.

The Marmotte Granfondo

First held in the early 1980s, The Marmotte Granfondo is one of the oldest and most challenging events on the sportive calendar. The legendary route, unchanged for the past 20 years, starts in Bourg d’Oisans at the foot of Alpe d’Huez and finishes at its iconic summit. Riders must conquer some of the most demanding climbs in the French Alps.

Maratona dles Dolomites

Meanwhile, the Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel offers a spectacular yet equally gruelling challenge in the heart of the Italian Dolomites. This classic gran fondo features three demanding routes: the 138 km Maratona with 4,230m of climbing, the 106 km Middle route with 3,130m of ascent, and the 55 km Sellaronda route with 1,780m of elevation gain. Each course winds through breathtaking mountain roads, taking in multiple dramatic passes and delivering both a physical and visual spectacle.

How Hard Can It Be?

For many riders, a cycling sportive will be one of the longest rides they’ve ever attempted, so it’s not something to take lightly. That said, with the right mindset, a reliable bike, and a touch of determination (plus a little bit of madness), just about anyone can take on the challenge.

The good news? No matter your speed or experience level, there are simple strategies that can help you successfully complete a long distance ride. With the right preparation, pacing, and fuelling, you’ll be crossing the finish line with a smile.

Climbing: Conquer the Ascents

Get Your Gearing Right

Many summer sportives take on long, sustained climbs, so having the right gearing is essential. Before your event, experiment with different gear ratios to find what works best for you. We recommend using either a compact (50×34) or a semi-compact (52×36) crankset, paired with an 11-28 or 11-32 cassette. This setup will give you a low enough gear to maintain a smooth, efficient cadence throughout the climbs, helping to conserve energy for the entire event.

Fuel for Tomorrow’s Ride

Carbohydrate loading is a well known strategy for endurance athletes, and for good reason. To sustain your effort on long mountain climbs, you need a solid nutritional plan. In the days leading up to your event, focus on a well balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates, riding in the mountains on a low-carb diet is a recipe for disaster.

On event day, start with a hearty breakfast and continue fuelling throughout the ride. Experiment with energy gels, bars, and isotonic drinks during training to find what works best for you. Staying hydrated is just as important, summer ascents can be hot and demanding, so plan your hydration strategy carefully.

Make the Most of the Feed Stations

Feed stations are essential stopping points along the route, offering food, drinks, and a chance to refuel. The number of stations will vary depending on the length of the cycling sportive, but no matter how strong you’re feeling, it’s always a good idea to make use of them.

You’ll be able to top up your water bottles and grab some much needed nutrition to keep your energy levels steady. Sports Tours will often have an additional feed station along the route, so keep an eye out!

Practice Makes Perfect

You don’t want your first serious climb to be on event day. Take advantage of modern indoor training technology, which allows you to virtually ride some of the world’s most famous ascents. If you have access to hilly terrain, use it to train your climbing legs.

For those living in flatter areas, riding into a strong headwind can mimic the resistance of a climb and help you gauge if your gearing and cadence are right. The more comfortable you are with sustained climbing, the more enjoyable your event will be.

Descending: Stay in Control

Stay Warm

At altitudes over 2,000 meters, conditions can change rapidly. While it may be 30°C in the valley, the summit could be near freezing or even snowing. Descending in cold conditions can drain your energy as your body works to stay warm.

Pack a lightweight rain jacket to protect yourself from the chill, even if the weather looks perfect at the start. A buff is also a handy piece of kit that packs down small but can provide extra warmth when needed.

Stay in Control

Descending is an art, and confidence comes with practice. Some riders feel more stable descending with their hands on the brake hoods, but we recommend practicing in the drops, this position lowers your centre of gravity, giving you better control of both your steering and braking.

Spend time refining your descending technique before event day. The more comfortable you are, the smoother and safer your descents will be.

Stay Safe

With hundreds or even thousands of participants on closed roads, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. However, taking unnecessary risks on a descent isn’t worth it.

• Give space to other riders, you don’t know how they’ll react.
• Hold your line and avoid sudden movements.
• Stay to the side when not overtaking to allow faster riders to pass safely.
• Prioritise control over speed, you won’t gain much time by pushing the limits on descents, but a crash could end your ride altogether.

Gran Fondos and sportives in the mountains offer an unforgettable experience, but preparation is key to making the most of the challenge. By optimising your gearing, fuelling properly, and practicing your climbing and descending techniques, you’ll be ready to take on the high-altitude roads with confidence.

How Sports Tours International Can Help

At Sports Tours International, we take the stress out of sportive participation by offering expert support, logistics, and travel packages to some of the world’s most famous cycling events. Whether you’re looking to take on the legendary climbs of the Etape du Tour, challenge yourself at the Maratona dles Dolomites, or ride the stunning routes of the Marmotte Gran Fondo, we provide everything you need for an unforgettable experience. Will we see you at the Summit?