What to take on a long ride

[DDH]

I was just wondering, what you guys take with you when you go on your long rides. I mean to me, right now, 25 miles is a long ride.
What kind of food, snacks, do you take? How often do you fuel yourselves while riding?

I want to start pushing myself further pretty soon and was just wondering what kind of things I need to take along. I thought I could start riding farther once school starts and just take my time and stop and rest or eat something or whatever while I was taking my ride. My rides for the most part are usually by myself so I would have to carry everything too.

There is an organized ride in Copperas Cove this coming Sat the 12th that I plan to go on. I figured I should be able to do the 26 mile ride, as long as I pace myself. Do you guys take anything with you on these rides?

Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[light_sabe_r]

Snacks snacks snacks!

On my 45km ride on Saturday I took a bottle of water, snack bars and juice. ^_^

I also thoughally reccommend taking tissues or wipes as if you have to stop in the middle of the bush to pee... they provide REAL relief!

[Veronica]

When planning for a ride I think in terms of how long I'll be riding, not mileage. If it's more than 90 minutes, I bring two things to eat. I usually only eat one. If I have no place to shop, I bring two things for each hour thereafter that I plan to be out. If there are stores on the route, I still bring some extra stuff.

What do I eat? Paydays, Cliff Shot Bloks, Sport Beans, Hammer Gel. Each of those is one item.

V.

[Tri Girl]

I also think in terms of time, not miles. I always ride roads to "nowhere", thus no place to stop and refuel, so I must bring everything I'll need.
This last weekend I did my longest ride (80 miles) and brought lots of snacks. In this heat, hydration is my number one priority. I had my Camelbak, and 3 bottles of fluid (2 cages and my aero bottle). For food I brought Paydays, fig newtons, beef jerky, sport beans, and GU. I always bring far more than I'll need to eat and a variety of things, because I never know what's going to taste good 3 hours into a ride.

Have fun out there. I would surely bring some light snacks on your ride this weekend. Have a great time, and let us know how it went when it's over.

[terpin]

I am addicted to LUNA bars. They travel nicely on a ride and taste great.

Question to previous posters: What are Sport Beans? Never heard of them.

[Veronica]

Introducing Sport Beans™ Jelly Beans, the newest hot product from the makers of Jelly Belly®! Sport Beans Jelly Beans are formulated with carbohydrates, electrolytes, and vitamins B and C. They're the ideal portable power™ for endurance athletes, weekend warriors, and sports enthusiasts of all types. In fact, Sport Beans Jelly Beans fit the needs of anyone looking for a fast, great-tasting source of energy. Try some today!

I like the orange ones - they are tangy.

V.

[KSH]

First, I have 1 water bottle, my Camelbak, and 1 water bottle with gatoraid.

Then, I have Clif Shots in my small bag on my bike.


In my pockets, I might carry:

1) A package of peanut butter crackers.

2) Clif Bars- Peanut Butter one.

3) Sport Beans (they DO start to melt and stick together in 100F degrees heat... if you are out for 3-6 hours).


We also stop at stores, so I might buy something in there... like a Luna bar. I like the Nuts over Chocolate... so I can't carry that on the bike with me, as it will melt.

Just find some snacks that have carbs, fill you up to some extent, might be eaten while riding (I have had to do this when I get hungry before the next rest stop), and won't melt.

Good luck!

[HappyAnika]

I really liked this thread on snacking, it has a lot of good ideas:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=snacks

Depending on how long I'm going to be out, I take a combination of water bottles with water and "sport" water, like vitamin water. For longer rides I take the camel back. I like to err on the side of more water than I think I will need if I'm riding where I can't refill. Same for food, I always take more than I think I will need. I absolutley love fig newtons since eating one at a time is easier for me than trying to eat a whole power bar (granted I could eat just part of the bar, but then it can messy trying to save the rest). If I'm unsure whether facilities will be available I bring some tp in a plastic baggie so I don't have to drip dry. I always have a small amount of cash, a credit card, my ID, phone, tube, pump, multi-tool, presta-schraeder adapter, my asthma inhaler, and a patch kit in case I get more than 1 flat.

[DDH]

Never thought of fig newtons, thats an easy and quick thing to eat while riding. I like the peanut butter crackers thing too.

Right now, I can ride an hour with just water and it doesn't seem to bother me to much. I need to start taking some gatorarde or something though I think, because I sweat profusely in this humidity.


You bet Li10up, I would love to find someone to ride with on occasion. Pm me sometime and let me know where you are?