Hydration and Food on longer rides

[luvmyguys]

Stop signs are good places. And getting something out of a jersey pocket isn't as hard as you think it is. (I actually have an easier time with that than I do grabbing a water bottle while riding.) And obviously, if you need to stop, do so when it's safe.

You can always drink a caloric beverage like HEED until you get more comfortable. Actually that's what I prefer to do on the bike, even though supposedly it isn't the best way to hydrate ... and even though I'm perfectly comfortable changing sunglasses while riding, just for instance. I mostly save solid food for when I stop.

I'm so not there yet. When I first started, I was barely letting go of the handlebars. I'm thrilled to be doing the basic safety things like signaling and drinking and pointing out road hazards.

Poor dh - his bike is so big that his bottle cage is so low that he has trouble reaching down to get it. He seems to have an easier time from the seat tube cage.

You may like a top tube bag. They are great places to store gels and small food items. TE has a few at very good prices.

Agree with Oak about the caloric beverage. This is why my gels usually go unused. I like to get a fruit smoothie from Bolthouse Farms and mix with water and a dash of salt for a healthful sport drink. More water equals less nutrition, of course. Just depends what I doing that day. Also like to add some protein powder. Or a couple tablespoons of Bolthouse Farms protein drink.

I like Bolthouse Farms, obviously. Berries and Mocha on the bike make me happy.

I mix that at home (do not, repeat, do no omit the salt). Obviously, I have to carry something more portable for refills.

The Bolthouse Farms drinks look good! I typically fill up one 20 oz bottle and one 16 oz bottle with some caloric drink (and put the water in my Camelbak). How much salt do you typically use?

I've been eyeing a top tube bag for a while, but I've also got a cue sheet holder on the bike that would go over the top tube bag. I'll need to see how accessible it is. The gels I've tried usually make me want to toss my cookies, but the Jelly Belly sport beans seem to go over okay - I'd probably put those in a top tube bag.

Tomorrow is my last training ride before the century, so nothing new is going to get tried between tomorrow and the century!