What to take on a long ride?

[prinessbeca]

Thank you so much for this thread, I've been wondering also! I usually ride a trail that goes right through my town, so there are gas stations and restaurants all along that I could stop at, but I hate to eat gas station/fast food, especially when I'm exercising.

I'm wondering where you all buy these items you're talking about. I've seen gels and things at the LBSs and stuff, but I haven't come across a lot of the brands you all mention, especially for the electrolyte tablets and things, which I rarely seem to find around here. Do you order online, or buy locally?

[OakLeaf]

I'm wondering where you all buy these items you're talking about.

Around here, Hammer Nutrition products are the only ones commonly available in stores (HEED, Perpetuem, Hammer Gel, Endurolytes, Recoverite). Sometimes they have single serving Gu gels, but no other Gu products. I found Zenergize Hydrate at a race expo for the first time, but since then I've ordered it online. I really don't like the additives they put in some of the more popular electrolyte tablets.

Hammer's Endurolytes is pure and additive free, but that also means flavor free, and all you get is the bitter metallic flavor of the electrolytes. I use it on long runs, but on the bike I prefer the more palatable Zenergize - plus the singly wrapped tablets make them easier to carry in a pocket. Zenergize does have stevia, if that bothers anyone.

(By the same token, @surgtech, Endurolytes is the only thing besides water that I'll put in my hydration vest. No sweeteners to get sticky or moldy, no flavors to linger, no colors to stain.)

Power Bars and Clif Bars (as well as the soy free, dairy free, gluten free Lara Bars that I prefer) come from the grocery store.


But it's whatever works for you. All this stuff is a convenience. Real food is cheaper and healthier if (1) you don't mind the hassle of preparing it and carrying it in a way that it doesn't spoil or get flattened, and if (2) your stomach will tolerate it on a hard or long effort. Sports nutrition is different for everyone, and I think everyone contributing to this thread has had a long road of trial and error figuring out the hard way what doesn't work for us.

[Catrin]

...But it's whatever works for you. All this stuff is a convenience. Real food is cheaper and healthier if (1) you don't mind the hassle of preparing it and carrying it in a way that it doesn't spoil or get flattened, and if (2) your stomach will tolerate it on a hard or long effort. Sports nutrition is different for everyone, and I think everyone contributing to this thread has had a long road of trial and error figuring out the hard way what doesn't work for us.

This - I would love to consume more real food on the bike but for some reason my stomach generally won't tolerate it. Why it likes Cliff bars is beyond me.

My bike shop carries some tables called "Salt Lick", something like that. A dietician I know says it has a better profile over Endurolytes, but the important part is to get enough electrolytes - and that is a trial and effort process...

I've found the cost of these things flux greatly between stores. Meijers, for now, appears to have the best prices on both Cliff and Power Bars in my area.

[Owlie]

Surgtech, I wouldn't put Gatorade in a bladder. That's really hard to clean.

Thank you so much for this thread, I've been wondering also! I usually ride a trail that goes right through my town, so there are gas stations and restaurants all along that I could stop at, but I hate to eat gas station/fast food, especially when I'm exercising.

I'm wondering where you all buy these items you're talking about. I've seen gels and things at the LBSs and stuff, but I haven't come across a lot of the brands you all mention, especially for the electrolyte tablets and things, which I rarely seem to find around here. Do you order online, or buy locally?

Depends where you live and how big your LBS is. I don't like electrolyte drinks unless it's really hot, so I really don't pay attention. I mostly use diluted Gatorade (I'm a poor student)
Clif bars come from the grocery store, and I get shot blocks from the LBS.

[Norse]

Real foods that contain good stuff AND that my body will tolerate: 1/2 of a crunchy, natural peanut butter sandwich (I add sliced banana if I have); dried figs and apricots; assortment of nuts, always including almonds. Otherwise, I use all the stuff mentioned by others - GU, other gels, Cliff, Lara and other such bars, simple fruit and nut bars (co-ops carry), shot blocks (if it's hot) ... just depends on the length and the weather. Sat I am planning about a 45 mile ride, mostly trail, but the weather is supposed to be hot and humid. So, no pb sandwich (gets too runny in the heat), instead a fruit and nut protein bar a packet of gel, couple of shot blocks and my normal bottle of water (I'll be able to refill) and bottle of partially diluted gatorade - full strength is too sweet for me. If all goes accordingly, I likely won't eat one of either the gel or shot blocks.

Forgot to mention - on long, hot days, nothing is better than Pearson's Salted Nut Rolls!

[PeggyB]

Insurance card and driver's license (or copies). Should always carry:

Flat kit (2 tubes, tire levers, pump or CO2)
Food (nothing new on a long ride; I like Mojo bars, PB and J and bananas)
Gatorade (2 bottles worth) and gatorade powder in your favorite flavor as you will need more)
Bike shorts with gel chamois (but again, don't wear a new pair; what if they rub?)