Tips for long ride!

[TigerMom]

Thank you. Great idea to do it by car before. I know the area as it is on my own turf but have not done it for "real". I did receive the map and husband knows the road very well. I don't. So this weekend it rainy so might as well put it to good use and check it out. The other one I have the map (and hills, etc) but not seen it and we will do it by car too.

I cannot eat when exercising. It just rolls in my mouth and I feel like spitting it out instead of swallowing. I tried a few times and it just does not work when I'm working hard. And I cannot stand anything sweet during that time. So it will have to be something easy to swallow or take the opportunity when I have a slower pace at some point.

My trainer is scheduling me a very easy training week the week prior (next week is hell training she said but I have not seen the plan yet). And a 30 minute ride the day before Challenge. Nothing strenuous.

Knowing the 1st Challenge is not far from home, worst case scenario, hubby gets back home or start point and I wait for him to pick me up whichever is closer. And they also have an end car for those who have issues finishing it up. On the 2nd Challenge, my LBS will be the one on the road at the end. So I will be riding with some of their staff who will be participating in the challenge and they will push me if needed and if I'm "dead" I can ride in their truck. So not all is lost.

But I'll resume your replies on a sheet and work from this "check-list". Thank you.

My husband also doesn't like eating when exercising. He did not like the sport jelly beans nor the energy shots nor the energy gels. He is ok with the Vanilla and the Honey flavored energy wafflles (I forgot the brand, but they are in every bike shop and sports shop that I have seen so far) and Gatorade G2 sports drinks

My favorite GU is the Caramel Salt flavor. AVOID the apple cinnamon one (tastes so nasty that I can't believe anyone invented it)

[Catrin]

For me it worked best to take actual food on the bike with me. Now, not everyone can tolerate this while exercising, but something like a combination salty nuts, and dried cranberries worked well for me and sometimes I add small pieces of nitrate-free jerky - though I am more likely to do this when hiking but I used to do it when I was still mountain biking as well. I don't eat processed food and can't abide the gels and so forth. Skratch is really my one exception, it fills the need and my body tolerates it well. I can also tolerate Heed, but not when it gets really hot, I don't have that problem with Skratch.

[ny biker]

My husband also doesn't like eating when exercising. He did not like the sport jelly beans nor the energy shots nor the energy gels. He is ok with the Vanilla and the Honey flavored energy wafflles (I forgot the brand, but they are in every bike shop and sports shop that I have seen so far) and Gatorade G2 sports drinks

Honey Stinger makes the waffles. I found them to be a bit sweet, but I'm not wild about honey.

[Helene2013]

Thanks again.

We had to go to LBS so I bought different ones to try over the next week while training. I have those Gu Vanilla, some type of lemon/lime pills you put in your water, one energy bar (cranberry and something), a bag of something that looks like jelly beans but are like cough drops.

I like the idea of taking some cereals like http://www.quakeroats.ca/en/products...-original.aspx . I think I would prefer those. Sweet but not that bad and high in good calories (I think). Could bring dried raisins, etc.

I'm such not a fan of these sports gels, etc. I don't really know if it is that good or just a good marketing product... like a "oh you must take that if you exercise a lot". Couldn't we find something better and less expensive. I mean those Nu Vanilla thing are like $2 each and the bars just as much, if not much. Anyway, I'll give it a shot and go from there.

I printed the map and we'll check it out this weekend.

Thank you all for all that great input. It is helping me a lot.

[AppleTree]

I love the shot blocks for quick, pop one in before you have to climb a hill energy, but on a really long ride, I get tired of sweet things too. I love the whole wheat mini-bagels with either peanut butter or cream cheese sandwiched in. They are small, so will fit in a small trunk bag or even a back pocket if you want to do that.

Have fun on your ride!

[nuliajuk]

I like dried apricot halves on long rides. They aren't very sweet, they're full of potassium, and they don't take up much room in my pocket or wedge pack. I add some almonds or other nuts to the bag for protein and a little fat and salt. A little goes a long way with these foods.

[Helene2013]

Thank you. These I could eat easily. yam...

[ny biker]

I'm such not a fan of these sports gels, etc. I don't really know if it is that good or just a good marketing product... like a "oh you must take that if you exercise a lot". Couldn't we find something better and less expensive. I mean those Nu Vanilla thing are like $2 each and the bars just as much, if not much. Anyway, I'll give it a shot and go from there.

The sports gels and chews are definitely not cheap, but they are good for a few reasons -- they don't go bad in hot weather, are easy to carry and quick to ingest, and they are formulated to get into your bloodstream quickly. Even if you mostly rely on real foods, it can be helpful to have a few packets of Gu (or something similar) for times when you are really bonking and you need energy fast.

Make sure you drink some water with the gels and stuff that you try. If you decide that you like them, you might be able to find them at a better price by buying in bulk online.

[Helene2013]

Thanks again.

I did try the Vanilla gel and the type of peanut butter bar. I just can't. We'll take them along (as hubby always has those anyway with his rides).

I will make myself something from scratch that I know I will eat. I will have those water supplement drinks, etc. I should be ok. Good breakfast, some on the road snacks when we stop for a minute at those check points and then they have the big party with food at arrival. I should be doing ok. I'll eat while cycling those sports gummy bears.

I tested my waterpack backpack today on my trainer to get a feel and it was great. Not that much extra weight even with that 2l container. At least I know I'll drink while riding as I still can't let go to get my bottle in the cage. And I don't want to stop all the time to get a sip. So this is perfect.

TBC...