Batsheva- When people say hydrate and eat, they aren't kidding!

The point is to keep liquids in your system. Sports drinks (I don't recommend Gatorade as it has a lot of simple sugars, but if that's all you've got- dilute it!)will not only hydrate you but also give you energy. I use Cytomax as I have found that it works well for me. I drink a couple of sips every 15 minutes (more or less) as I ride along. I have found that this regimen helps my energy as well as my hydration. (I even carry extra cytomax with me for rest stops) The point here is to be regular with your liquids. I'll usually eat some kind of solid food around 25-30 miles depending on the type of ride I'm doing. Since you are doing an organized ride, that shouldn't be an issue for you as food and drink will be available on your route.

Also if you can get electrolyte pills (they are call Endurolytes) by all means use them! You probably only need about 4/hour but they will help as well.

My other advice to you is to not stay long at a rest stop. Keep going! The earlier you can finish in the day the better you will feel.

Have fun and let us know how your ride went. Pretty soon you'll be riding centuries. Remember if you can do 40, you can do 65, if you can do 65 you can do 70 etc.,etc.