the last 7 miles

[sundial]

I've noticed on my long rides that when I'm about 7 miles from the finish I lose a lot of oomph. I don't know if it's psychological, biological, or both but either way it happens on most of my 30-40-50 mile rides. Sometimes I stop and get off the bike for a brief rest and then proceed. Other times I just slow my cadence and silently curse the lack of performance. Just wonderin' whazupwidis.

[indysteel]

What do you typically eat during your rides?

[sundial]

Indy, I do indeed BUT apparently not enough. I like to eat Accel gels and Cliff Blocks. I just finished reading a chapter in Nancy Clark's nutrition for cyclists book and she suggested eating every 30 minutes. I put this to the test this past weekend and it did make a big difference in performance. Prior to this I was eating every hour or so and not drinking enough. However, on my 38 mile ride I hit the same energy sag point at mile 31. I think part of it was that I wanted to be in a little bit of shade.

[indysteel]

Sundial,

If it's as hot in your neck of the wood as it is in mine, then the heat alone may explain your lagging energy. No matter what I eat or drink these days, I just get to a point where I want to be done, off my bike and out of the heat. I am so ready for fall right now.

I can ride for about two hours in cooler temps without food. The hotter it gets, however, the more I need to eat early and often. See if upping your food intake a bit helps. Certainly, finding some shade for a bit of a rest couldn't hurt either.

[sundial]

...I want to be done, off my bike and out of the heat.

That pretty much sums it up, Indy. I guess I'm not digging down deep enough to continue on without a mental break in the saddle. The heat/humidity has been brutal and we're having yet another round of dangerous heat. The last time I rode I was trying to figure out how to create shade on the fly. Out where I ride there's open fields and very few trees, let alone shade.

[Zen]

I have the solution!

Make the ride seven miles shorter.

[martinkap]

Or pretend that instead of 30mi ride you are actually riding 37 mile ride (or round it up to 40mi). In other words, prepare and treat the ride as it was 10 mi longer than it is planned. I found that useful especially if sometimes I take a wrong turn or take a detour and suddenly the ride is longer than planned, being prepared for longer ride makes finishing easier.

And then there is of course the nutrition, fluids and heat. Pay attention to those also.

[sundial]

Martinkap, that's a good suggestion. I need to tell my brain that it's only 37 miles. And Zen, well...........