What to Eat on a Century Ride?

[marni]

I can't answer if you are pushing for speed, but having done several centuries, or century+ rides which last an average of 6 hours each start to finish, I do know that if I try to subsist on nothing but short ride, gus, gels, protein bars and electrolyte drinks. I need some normal type food somewhere along the line. For me a peanut butter made with low fat peanut butter and whole grain bread, cut into bite sized chunks, along with a baggie of dried fruit chunks ( banana, apple, apricot and dates) which I can suck and mouth to keep myself busy and slivating.

Just a thought- when in doubt, the best food is the least processed,closest to real food you can find if you are accustomed to it throughout your diet.

[ny biker]

It takes me closer to 9 hours to ride a century and I can do it on gu, gatorade and water. Usually I have to limit myself to those three things because my stomach won't tolerate anything else.

It really is a personal thing that you have to figure out during training.

[itself]

Thanks gals! The pretzels and fig newtons are great suggestions. I use Ultima Replenisher electrolytes, no cramping and has worked great.

I am hoping the Marriott or a restaurant will be open early enough in Tucson that I can get some pancakes before the start.

I will go to REI and pick up a couple of some different gels to see if they help. Thanks again for the help!

[ny biker]

Thanks gals! The pretzels and fig newtons are great suggestions. I use Ultima Replenisher electrolytes, no cramping and has worked great.

I am hoping the Marriott or a restaurant will be open early enough in Tucson that I can get some pancakes before the start.

I will go to REI and pick up a couple of some different gels to see if they help. Thanks again for the help!

It's best to plan breakfast in advance, too. I have been known to smuggle a toaster into the hotel room when I'm doing a ride that requires a hotel stay so I can have my usual waffles for the pre-ride breakfast.

Cereal and milk is a packable breakfast, if you get the milk in a box (e.g., Parmalat or soy milk). If the hotel has a microwave in the room you can make oatmeal.

[Jo-n-NY]

This year we used Perpetuem by Hammer. You put in the amount of powder going by body weight and how long the ride is by the hour. I use it for any ride that will be over a two hours. I put in the powder for up to 4 hours then bring more in a baggie to replenish for a century ride. You don't chug it like water or gatorade. You take a swig every 15 minutes for long rides followed by water or for me water with some gatorade in it. It replaces carbs & protein.

We also take Hammer Endurolytes capsales for electrolyte replacement. I still eat at the rest stops but both my husband & myself found a huge difference in our legs by using this.

[Becky]

+1 for the electrolyte capsules! They definitely make a difference in how I feel, both physically and mentally.

[marni]

+1 for the electrolyte capsules! They definitely make a difference in how I feel, both physically and mentally.

I second the use of electrolyte capsules for gym training as well. These days, probably because of the low humidity ( abnormally low for this time of year in this area) even though I am drinking like a fish (water, more water, and still more water) I seem to be cramping up at the drop of a squat. I have been taking the electrolyte tablets and they help.

[nikkoblu2]

I can't answer if you are pushing for speed, but having done several centuries, or century+ rides which last an average of 6 hours each start to finish.

OMG! Six hours isn't pushing for speed??? Thank you, NYbiker for saying that it takes you closer to 9 hours to do a century.

God bless you Marni if you're doing it in 6 and not pushing for speed.

I rode 48 level miles yesterday (24 into a headwind) on my new road bike - it was 3:30 of actual ride time and the entire ride took 4:10. I wasn't really going for speed, but I don't think I could have gone much faster if I wanted to.

I know I completely deterred from the thought of this original post...sorry about that.

[Catrin]

6 hour century? You ROCK! As for me....the one ride on which I've hit 70 miles so far took me 6 hours.... I know this isn't the purpose of the thread but I couldn't resist

Still hoping to ride a century in 2010. For me, I have found that a combination of Cliff bars, Shot Blocs, Heed, Accelerade and a peanut butter - banana sandwich does me just fine - at least up to 70 miles. For under 30 miles I don't really eat any extra but do have a bottle of Heed to go with my 'bak and some shot blocs should i need them.