Essential kit
We’ve ridden more sportives than we can remember. What we don’t forget are the bits of kit that have dug us out of a hole, and which we no longer leave home without…
SPORTFUL HI-VIZ NORAIN £125
You might be on the road for 1 anything up to 10 hours, and with the UK’s changeable weather, a rain jacket that you can stow in your jersey pocket when the sun breaks out is crucial. Weighing just 140g and taking up 400ml, this is one of the lightest, best performing rain jackets out there.
Lezyne Femto Drive Set £21.99
2 Ride front must; a and police sportiverear have lightsin Francebeen are knowna and to pull cyclists up who aren’t using them. Lights are especially important in tunnels, which are most prevalent in the Alps. You don’t want something too heavy, which is why this front and rear set from Lezyne is perfect, at just 62g all in, with a smart polished alloy body.
Santini Blast Neoprene £36.50
3 Unlike training days, sportives don’t give you the choice if the whether is too filthy to ride – you have to go. Cold hands can ruin your day, especially on mountainous events. Full-finger gloves are the answer but fabric ones don’t always provide satisfactory warmth when wet. Not so Santini’s Blast gloves, these are like wet suits for your hands to keep them toasty.
Assos Chamois Crème £13.00 (140ml)
4 Unless you can afford it we wouldn’t recommend chamois cream for every ride, but in the case of a four-hour-plus sportive it’s a solid investment. This Assos cream will reduce friction that can lead to saddle sores and keeps things fresh down there. Well, as fresh as they can be. Unlike other creams, this one doesn’t overpower the nostrils.
Specialized Air Tool Road £19.99
5 Both the most essential product here and the one you least want to use, a mini pump will pull you out of a bind, providing it’s up to the job. This one from Specialized won our mini pump grouptest in issue 318, a slender 125g “robust little number” that straddles the line between mini and frame pump. “The combination of low weight, great build quality and excellent performance makes it a winner,” we said.
Nuun Active £6.99
6 Sportive feed stations are hit and miss and are often less satisfactory for slower riders who need them most, as stocks can dwindle by the time they roll in. To stave off disappointment and fatigue, a pack of Nuun Active will see you right, with the flavour and electrolytes to spruce up even the stalest bottle of water.
Endura Pro SL PrimaLoft £99.99
7 Sportives such as L’Etape du Tour start early in the morning, at altitude, seeing you hanging around on the start line. Even if it’s dry you’ll need something to keep your core warm, for then and on long descents. This lightweight, windproof gilet from Endura packs away to fit into a rear pocket, see p86 of the accompanying issue for a full review.