oh this is such a great story I'm printing it out. I hope that getting tossed in the start of the race doesn't scare you off from doing something that spontaneous!

As for nutrition, I would wrap stuff to my handlebars that you could rip off and eat. I would usually rip it off and eat it on a smoother part. But if I needed it then and there, I would usually stop along the trail and look for a rock I could hit with one foot to balance me while I threw it in my mouth and took off again. I can chew and pedal. You can also toss jellybeans or candy in your shirt pockets and dig em out as you ride.

The whole water thing is an art. I have a 3 liter camelbak. Out west, I needed all 3 liters for a 20+ mile race (and then some). I haven't raced here on the east coast, but from the looks of my training and rides, I could handle a 20-30 mile race with only 1 liter. But on both, I had a vitaminwater in the camelbak in case my blood sugar got too low. Water and what to eat is something you can practice and play with during training.


Still an awesome race! I wanted to ride in a race this wknd but my PT said if I did he would discharge me. So...I didn't I behaved!