Columbia River Run 400K ride report

[Thorn]

Except that most of those are really disgusting to eat. They work in a pinch, but when your stomach is on revolt anyway, I don't think I'd want to try it.

Yeah, but....having done a really cold century (a far cry from a 400K), I will attest that the rehydrated potato soup they served at the rest stop was manna from heaven. It was simultaneously the absolute worst and absolute best thing I ever consumed on a ride. Salty, wet and potatoes pack an equivalent carb boost as sugar, so satisfying.

Love the ride reports, Susan. You go where I can only dream. Kudos!

[Susan Otcenas]

The hard part in all this is that in some ways the whole nutrition thing feels like such a crap shoot. Who the heck KNOWS what her stomach will accept when it's in total revolt. I know for sure I couldn't even consider a sweet thing. Even the first batch of oatmeal he put in front of me was a huge struggle to put (and keep) down. The second bowl (after about 45 minutes) went down easier.

Drinking, especially the warm drink, was OK. So, I'm thinking that a rich salty broth would have been totally doable. At least, the thought of it was not disgusting at the time.

I'm thinking I need to invest in a really high quality thermos (not just a thermal bottle, but a real thermos) that I could put boiling water in at a 10-11pm stop, along with some type of rich salty broth/noodle soup (dried, from a packet) that could re-hydrate in the bottle, then get consumed over the next couple of hours, maybe along with saltines or plain bread or a biscuit. Seems like if it's something I'd look forward to eating, that I'd eat more, and sooner, maybe I wouldn't end up in the "I can't eat anything at all" place that I've now visited twice....

[GLC1968]

I'm thinking I need to invest in a really high quality thermos (not just a thermal bottle, but a real thermos) that I could put boiling water in at a 10-11pm stop, along with some type of rich salty broth/noodle soup (dried, from a packet) that could re-hydrate in the bottle, then get consumed over the next couple of hours, maybe along with saltines or plain bread or a biscuit. Seems like if it's something I'd look forward to eating, that I'd eat more, and sooner, maybe I wouldn't end up in the "I can't eat anything at all" place that I've now visited twice....

That sounds like a good plan. Having options sounds like it would have helped.

I have a travel thermos that fits in my bottle cage that seals shut (no leaking!) and will keep liquid piping hot for 8 hours. I found this out by filling it with coffee one morning, riding to work and then forgeting it on my bike until that evening when I left. The coffee was still drinkable hot (not just warm)! I bet you could get something similiar but perhaps a bit bigger. The one I have also has a button trigger 'spout' so that you can drink while riding (though I've never used it that way before).

[Susan Otcenas]

GLC - What brand is it?

[GLC1968]

I forget, but I can check when I get home. In fact, I can bring it over and you can give a try on your next long ride, if you'd like.

Heh - I remembered where I bought it and found it! It's a Nissan.

This is the one I have:
http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmari...r-jmw-500.html

And this one might work if you want more volume (but I don't know how leak-proof it is):
http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmari...le-ncd-18.html

[Becky]

Another stainless thermal option: http://www.amazon.com/Livestrong-Cha.../dp/B000VX7HO8.

This fits perfectly in my second bottle cage and I can open it with one gloved hand if need be. I've never done the 8-hour test though- coffee just doesn't last that long around me

[Bike Chick]

Wow, Susan! Just WOW! You are so tough. Any of us can certainly understand the feeling of not being able to go on. I just can't imagine dealing with it at 395k.

Congratulations on your finish. You are fortunate to have such a wonderful support system.

[crazycanuck]

Susan, if you're looking for another PBP type ride and a nice vacation..come on down to Western Australia in 2014 for the PAP (Perth Albany Perth) http://audax.org.au/public/index.php...386&Itemid=359

[Susan Otcenas]

Susan, if you're looking for another PBP type ride and a nice vacation..come on down to Western Australia in 2014 for the PAP (Perth Albany Perth) http://audax.org.au/public/index.php...386&Itemid=359

My friend Vincent, who saved my bacon on Sat/Sun, just came back from PAP! As did one of the other riders on Sat. They loved the PAP. Sounded like an amazing ride. I would love to come to Australia. I've ridden in New Zealand twice, but haven't make it to Australia yet. Some day!

[Vincent, btw, is a monster. He will have 32,000 rando kilometers this year. 20,000 miles. New RUSA record. He set the current one as well. (Though his RUSA page will only show 30,800 because PAP is int'l and RUSA only shows domestic km.) That is some serious mileage! ]

[crazycanuck]

Hey cool! I thought someone out there must know some of the riders that participated in this year's PAP. Umm ya, that's quite a few km!

Here's some info http://audax.org.au/public/index.php...d=386&Itemid=1

http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/vi...32802&start=25 Perry also wrote more in another thread but can't for the life of me find it....

If you do end up venturing down this way and we're here, you're more than welcome at our abode . There are nice beaches a short bike ride (or drive) away .

I understand Western Australia's getting "permanents" soon..!!! It just seems that most of the Audax rides I want to do fall in the Mtb season or in the too dang hot to think about riding time... I think i might have to suck it up and do some in the too dang hot riding season

[Susan Otcenas]

If you do end up venturing down this way and we're here, you're more than welcome at our abode .

Careful what you wish for. Pedal Wench will start organizing a *really* long road trip.

We don't have very many perms (relatively speaking) in Oregon, but there are oodles in Washington. The guys up there are very active, and have been building them left and right. They tell me that they are ezsy to get approved, so I may just begin building some of my own. I can start them down the block, too. How convenient for me!

[Pedal Wench]

Careful what you wish for. Pedal Wench will start organizing a *really* long road trip.

"Hello Pot, this is the Kettle calling..."

[jobob]

We don't have very many perms (relatively speaking) in Oregon, but there are oodles in Washington. The guys up there are very active, and have been building them left and right. They tell me that they are ezsy to get approved, so I may just begin building some of my own. I can start them down the block, too. How convenient for me!

We had almost no permanents in the SF Bay area, so I designed a couple a few years to help fill that void. After my bike crash, I wasn't able to deal with the minimal paperwork or occasionally check out the routes, so I handed the good one over to someone else and let the mediocre one lapse into oblivion. Nowadays there are many more in the bay area, which is great. I really need to get off my lazy azz and try a few.

Designing permanents is fun and a bit challenging. You need to space the checkpoints an appropriate distance apart, and put them someplace safe and convenient. Generally they'll be at a store where one can purchase something and get a timed & dated receipt for proof of passage. I'm a big fan of the mom & pop stores, but they can be closed unexpectedly, might not hand out cash register receipts, or if they do the timestamp might have no semblance with reality. So the best bet is to locate checkpoints at larger groceries or at a Starbucks (say what you will about the Star$, but they're open when they say they'll be, they know how to set up their cash registers, and they generally have clean bathrooms).

And if there's any possibility of a shortcut, you need to put in a checkpoint to prove it was ridden the longer way. The previous permanants chair was a stickler for that, I don't know if the current one is.

[OakLeaf]

Susan, I wonder if you're getting enough protein during the ride? Inability to tolerate sweets is something that happens to me when I'm down on protein. My body just won't take any more empty calories until it starts rebuilding some'a that muscle.

[Pedal Wench]

Nice!!!! We really should all plan a 400K together!

Protein options -- Whole Foods has turkey "sticks," kinda like SlimJims. I carried those around on my first 400K attempt. And, REI has all kinds of yummy turkey jerky options.

And, Nalgene has a bottle that fits into a bottle cage with a wide-enough opening to slurp soupy foods. I keep thinking during Sebring that I'll be able to heat up a Mountain House and drink/eat it while still riding. I've never actually tried it.

Congrats on an amazing accomplishment.