Caffeine Free options?

[KnottedYet]

"these really cool sesame and honey cracker things"

one of my personal favorites! I have a half case in my drawer at work even as we speak! Eaten them since I was a kid. Can you believe, I've never thought of bringing them on a bike ride!?!?!

http://www.candywarehouse.com/sesamesnaps.html

[Trek420]

"these really cool sesame and honey cracker things"

one of my personal favorites! I have a half case in my drawer at work even as we speak! Eaten them since I was a kid. Can you believe, I've never thought of bringing them on a bike ride!?!?!

I know which ones you mean but it's another type that I've only seen there So now you know my evil secret, I ride for the snacks not the cause. Just kidding.

One more energy thought as I think it, make sure you can sleep comfortably. Ear plugs, really good air matress, comfy sleepwear or sweats, good pillow ....

[MM_QFC!]

Great advice, Trek: about the training, food on the ride, snacks and bedtime...especially the ear plugs! I was a rider on a few grassroots and local to the Northwest for my first few AIDS rides; they had less people than the former Pallotta Teamworks rides and I got used to more room in between tents...then, dang! what a surprise to have someone's head in the TENT NEXT DOOR be inches from mine - even closer than my own tentmate! Lotsa noises at bedtime...and, although I was sore some nights, I never had any trouble falling asleep and staying asleep - IF I had remembered to put in those trusty ear plugs! When it's a big group like that, all of the tents are SO close to each other and I felt like I was involved in involuntary eavesdropping when I was in my tent sometimes!
Thanks for the memories too, Trek, as your posts brought back plenty! On the Empire State AIDS ride, we have less people and more room to spread out...plus, the ride director - being an AIDS-rider herself has arranged it so that the crew not only sets up our tents, but delivers our gear bags to each also...makes Mary one happy, happy rider when I roll in each day!

[Resumer]

Thanks so much for all the input, and sharing of experiences....I'll relax now about this kind of stuff.

I've got my self-inflating mattress pad (3" thick, gonna test it out this next week), my travel size foam pillow (a MUST for good sleep -- testing that too) and I'm a regular user of earplugs, plus I'm bringing along a head/ear band that I use in the winter that will double the muffling, I hope! I'm so clear that a good night's sleep is essential so I'm gonna do what I can to help myself out, without bordering on excess or eccentricity -- I really don't want to over pack.

[MM_QFC!]

yeah, a headband or beenie is a good idea, as it could get pretty cool at night.

[Starfish]

Some of the Power Bar Gels don't have caffeine, and I think some of the Honey Stinger kind don't, either.

[echidna]

(Riding sans caffeine??? Suicide comes to mind...). Or you could try York Peppermint Patties (highly recommended), or CarboPro, or Hammer Heed, or...there's a ton of 'em out there, really.

[Trek420]

On the Empire State AIDS ride, we have less people and more room to spread out...plus, the ride director - being an AIDS-rider herself has arranged it so that the crew not only sets up our tents, but delivers our gear bags to each also...makes Mary one happy, happy rider when I roll in each day!

Do they put a mint on your pillow? That's great.

It's true on ALC the workout does not stop when you get in.

On ALC 4 I had a great tentmate, TE's own fabulous BikeGoddess. She was not only one of the first riders in each day but often had the tent up and luggage there. Thanks BG!

Last year I had a hard time, I sagged some part of each day. I had foot problems, so frustrating, there was nothing wrong with any other part o' my body but my big toe. Note to new ALC'ers and self: if you're big toe's broken don't ride till it's healed and or not without the most comfy shoes possible.

But I'd get off the SAG wagon and head right for the luggage area. There were a bunch of us getting all the luggage out we could. Faster riders pitched in. You see someone struggling to put a tent up alone and just help out.

It's all part of the ride that starts out as 2500 strangers and the awesome crew and becomes a community.

[uk elephant]

I did ALC last year and unless you have any particular dietary issues, I wouldn't worry too much. I was plenty fuelled the whole way without eating a single cliff bar or peanut butter (because I really don't like peanutbutter). I filled up on m'n'ms and nuts and granola bars and bananas and more mnms and oranges and of course lots of good food at all meals. Only slight problem I had was on day one when I hadn't yet realized how much food I needed. I skipped the first rest stop and nearly didn't make it to lunch. Had to stop at some little cafe a mile before lunch and have a cookie and a cup of tea while watching the belly dancing competition. Very interesting place that cafe. Worth a stop even if you don't need a cookie stop.

[MM_QFC!]

Do they put a mint on your pillow? That's great.

HA! Not yet, but I'm working on it...prior to my first Empire State AIDS Ride/ESAR in 2006, I was emailing back and forth with the ride director and other riders and we were all kiddingly asking her to please add a nicely chilled lemon drop to the tent and luggage service!
Also, it's now a mini-tradition that those of us that are based in the Seattle area, treat all of our ESAR family to smoked salmon, to enjoy on "Washington Wednesday" during ride week. One of the volunteer caterers always sets up a lovely tray with crackers, onions, capers, cream cheese, etc; we add on other NW treats, but the fish gets a full-on lip smackin' 2 thumbs up!