Hydration and Food on longer rides

[Bike Writer]

Vegetable are a form of carbs. Since you are doing slower rides now than you will be later, may be just about perfect. Just watch electrolytes (sodium), especially since you are in Florida and it's getting hotter. Sweating equals salt loss. Doesn't take much, but you do need some.

Might be a good time to bring up hyponatremia and the wonders of consuming adequate salt while exercising. This article mentions sweat-rate and provides a link how to calculate and determine the proper amount of salt. (Wow. Really? Who knew?).

I just use a dash or so of salt, but there are many websites devoted to explaining how to calculate sweat-rate and sodium needs. (I tried googling 'calculate sweat rate cycling' , but having trouble getting websites to load.

Edit: here is one. Don't think you have time to do it before tomorrow, though. There are some others that just mentioned body weight and average exertion. The point is, these organic smoothies and such typically have too little sodium, so some needs to be added, maybe a dash or two of salt, and if you are doing a century, you're not going to be able to refill unless you are able to carry a lot on your bike.

I carry two 25 ounce Camelbak bottles on the bike. Much easier. One plain water, the other with electrolytes or caloric beverage.

Good articles Murienn, thanks for posting the links.

[MollyJ]

Okay, folks, this thread and a few others were very helpful to me and I happily made it through my Tour de Cure ride on a sunny but windy day in Sedgwick County KS. I ate my cliff bar and some almonds and a few pretzels and lots of propel water and did not get that out of steam feeling I have had before. I had a great time and feel pretty successful.