Attempting my first 40 mile ride.... got any pointers?

[rubysoho]

thanks all! I drink a lot an hour before my ride (stopping 30 minutes before I pedal out) and on the 20 milers I did not finish my single bottle (on top of drinking a decent amount of water in general). But, I also drink a lot after. This ride will have a planned break at the 20 mile mark if needed where I can refill the two bottles. I don't know how much is between mile 1 and mile 20 though so I am packing a little food.

Should be around 80 degrees this weekend, 56% humidity. I am going to try to carry more than what I think I will need.

[tulip]

Don't underestimate the amount of food and drink on the ride. I ride more or less by the clock: every 5 minutes I take a gulp of whatever is in my waterbottles. Every 15 minutes I take a bite of whatever food I have in my jersey pocket. Be consistent and you won't bonk.

40 miles is not a century, but it's a decent ride and if you are not careful, you could bonk or get dehydrated. After the ride, have some chocolate milk and chips, or whatever recovery food/drink you like.

[Owlie]

Take more water than you think you need. I also take along a bottle of diluted Gatorade. Take food too. Eat and drink regularly. Take a little break in the middle if you have to.

[grey]

Basically what everyone else has said. I always carry 2 bottles, even for 20 mile rides. I like tulip's advice to snack every 15 mins. Myself, I nibble something every 10 miles, but I bet energy levels are steadier with the more consistent nibbling.

[Catrin]

They have good advice. Don't be like me - I tend to have the food with me but become resistant to stopping unless I am forced to by traffic... I would have felt better after my 30+ mile hot and windy ride Sunday if I had simply stopped a couple of times and nibbled a bit. Great ride though

[ny biker]

Assume the weather forecast underestimates the temperature, especially if you'll be riding past noon.

I aim for one bottle per hour. 1-2 should be an electrolyte drink, like Gatorade, depending on how long you are riding. Also you want to consume 200-300 calories per hour, and make sure there's some sodium in your snacks. Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty.

Make sure you are well hydrated between now and the ride, and it will probably also help to make the meal the night before on the salty side.

Where will you be riding?

[rubysoho]

Where will you be riding?

W&OD Trail, heading west.

[tulip]

They have good advice. Don't be like me - I tend to have the food with me but become resistant to stopping unless I am forced to by traffic... I would have felt better after my 30+ mile hot and windy ride Sunday if I had simply stopped a couple of times and nibbled a bit. Great ride though

With practice, you won't have to stop to eat and drink. It's not like I stop every 5 minutes! I'll only stop at the sag stops on organized rides. On my local rides, I'll stop every hour or so to look around and take a little break. Eating and drinking while riding is a very important skill to have if you plan on being on the bike for any length of time and remaining bonk-free.

[Catrin]

I use a hydration pack so I don't have to stop and drink - and I like that. I don't want to eat while riding, I prefer to stop and take a breather when it is time to do that - I generally stop once an hour when I am behaving myself