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?

[CyclaSutra]

One of the things I'm doing on my weekend rides is checking out various food options ...
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. Veronica

Veronica,

This is my first post, but had to tell you, I love Hammer Gel. Just buy it in a bottle instead of a foil packet and then cut the sweet stuff by mixing raspberry or apple cinnamon with half "plain" or "vanilla" flavor. Takes the sweet down to a manageable level.

I trained for a double century last summer. Alas, foiled by weather, but I'm still pretty proud of my 100+ mile training rides, and Hammer Gel was just the ticket when I was too lazy to pack food or late in the ride when my guts couldn't handle solid stuff any more.

Granny on!