Food Experiments

[Veronica]

One of the things I'm doing on my weekend rides is checking out various food options, so I can have a variety of things to eat on my doubles.

This is what I have discovered so far. Gingersnap and Cashew Cookie Larabars are my favorites. Cliff Shot Bloks Cran- Raspberry flavor are good, but the texture feels weird after a while.

These last two weeks I've been giving various flavors of Hammer Gel a try. I don't really like the apple cinnamon flavor. Raspberry is good, but kind of sweet. Today I had the espresso. I liked that. I also tried a chocolate flavored Honey Stinger. The first word out of my mouth was, "Ughh!" Thom expected me to just throw the rest of it away. It wasn't what I had expected. Since it was chocolate flavored, I expected more chocolate. But it had a predominant honey flavor. Actually, once I knew what to expect I kind of liked it.

I'm getting use to the flavor of Sustained Energy. And I have found that after 3 - 4 hours on the bike, I really want some straight water, rather than Gatorade.

Veronica

[traveller_62]

What do you eat before and after a long or intense ride?

I usually eat a peanut butter and honey sandwich (on wheat or flat bread) an hour or two before I head out.

I tried the Hammergel stuff this summer for fueling during my longer rides because a good friend of mine loves the stuff. I like GU better for the quick energy. Accelerade works for me for sustained energy.

After a ride I'll have cereal (Kashi Crunch !) or a nice tall glass of low fat chocolate milk.

[Veronica]

Mostly I'm trying out different things so I don't get tired of anything on my hardest double. I expect it will take me 18 hours to complete it. Here's the elevation profile.




I've ridden this as far as the Junction. I expect the worst climb will be Sierra, as it comes so late in the ride.

Veronica

[Pedal Wench]

ouch!!! That looks amazingly tough! That climb at 120 miles into it looks just brutal to me. Please, we want a complete ride report, and more importantly, I want to know how you train for something like this. Good luck! I'm VERY impressed!

[Veronica]

Well, I did the first 116 miles two years ago with no training, just for fun. So this year with a more aggressive approach, I will finish it.

I already have a good aerobic base, so right now I'm working on increasing my strength and long distance endurance.

It's been hard to get in the outdoor rides, so I'm on very good terms with my trainer and Spinervals.

Here's my week as it's supposed to go.

Tues./Thurs. DVD in the morning, another in the afternoon or a focused training ride, usually hill intervals.

Wed. Recovery ride/tape

Mon./Fri. off days, can ride easy if I feel like it.

Sat. moderately hard ride 90 - 120 minutes

Sun. long, steady distance ride

MWF - ab/back work

Life has a way of interfering with this plan. But I already can tell that I am stronger than the last time I rode it.

V.

[yellow]

V, you're an animal!

Of course, I have to put a plug in for almond butter (just a lil' bit) on a tortilla (flour or whole wheat...corn is yucky), rolled up, cut into whatever sized pieces you want. But you know that I'm a big believer in the magical powers of almond butter. The trick for you would be how to keep it "together". Are you using a bento box to stash your goodies while you are riding?

[SadieKate]

Are you using a bento box to stash your goodies while you are riding?

Are you saying that with a straight face?

[Veronica]

I can only imagine what this picture. The work server doesn't allow them to come through. I may need to defned Fluffy's honor when I get home.

V.

[Trekhawk]

Hey V - how often do you eat on a ride of that distance?

[yellow]

See, there's a Bento Box there! And it's sooooo much easier to reach than the pack on back.

And I thought Fluffy lost a little weight for this endeavor. Am I misremembering (is that a word?) or has Fluffy indeed trimmed down?

[SadieKate]

V, it is the picture of you holding up Fluffy in Calistoga. Full set of fenders and steamer trunk on board (and the tiara)

I think you mentioned that there had been a diet since then.

[maillotpois]

Great thread! I just joined this forum, having learned of it from BikeJournal. Hope it's okay if I throw in my 2 cents...

It's a challenge to find food that works for a double, but most of the rides I have been on have been so well supported with a variety of things so you can experiment and find out what works for you. I particularly like when they have the hammer gel you can fill your flask with.

Some things that have worked for me are:

v8 - I had 9 v8s during the Death Ride last year and frankly was too tired to keep track at the Mt. Tam Double. For my other doubles, I probably had at least 5. LOVE v8!! I Know some folks who will fill one of their bottles with the stuff.

HammerGel - I have decided I like banana best. Not too sweet. But I prefer the real thing... next...

Dried bananas - my secret weapon. Not "banana chips" but actual chewy dried bananas. You can get them in bulk food section at Whole Foods. I also have a friend who dries them herself with a bit of honey in them. It's a little over the top, but the end product is amazing.

Noah's bagels - For Davis (my first double), we got salt bagels and I carried one with me on the ride. There is also a stick-like bagel thing they have that is wheaty and fruity and nutty. It took me about 2 hours to eat the thing, 1 bite at a time from my back pocket. That was great.

Wheat thins - yum! Very good if your stomach is getting at all iffy.

Nuts.

I pretty much only drink the Power Bar Endurance sports drink. And water. I will throw in a coke or mountain dew, but not til very late in the ride.

I have found that a bento box is only good for me on rides where there's not a lot of out of the saddle climbing. If I am out of the saddle a lot, the bento hits my legs so then I climb all wonky and my knee hurts. I may just have big legs. Well, I know I do!

I have a friend who is a raw food vegan who trained for and rode the death ride with me. I was amazed that he could literally fuel himself only on figs and dates for a ride like that. I say that to make the point that everyone's different, and what works for some may not work for all!

Sarah

[SadieKate]

Figs and dates! Yeah, I can believe this. They're a staple in our household. Fig Nutins are pretty good also.

Cheese and peanut butter cracker sandwiches.

[SadieKate]

Maillotpois, glad to have you over here also. Introduce yourself on the aptly-named "Introduce Yourself" thread so CorsairMac can chime in and provide an official welcome.

[Veronica]

I figured it was that picture. Fluffy now has no rack and no big bag. That has migrated to Milo my MB1, which is now my commute bike. There is not much else I'll be able to take off Fluffy. Tires will change and the fenders will come off before Solvang, but for now I'm leaving them on.

I don't like to eat while I ride. One of the things I like about having my HRM on my handlebars is I am more aware of passing time. I am now making myself eat on the half hour and hour on my rides. I'm taking a drink of Sustained Energy on the quarters.

I like the bagel idea. Kim, tell Jesse we need Noah's bagels on DMD.

I am a little freaked. Due to scheduling conflicts, I'm actually going to do the official DMD ride. I was sort of counting on seeing Thom at every stop. But, doing the real thing has lots of pluses. I can get an earlier start, which means I should be off Hamilton before it's dark. There will be more riders around - at least passing me anyway. Jesse thinks I should be able to finish an hour faster, due to shorter rest breaks and being able to work with the other riders. I actually hope it's a warmish day, since I do better when it's warm.

V.