Long Rides

Hey Cyclists,

I'm just starting to get into cycling (2months into training) and I'm still fouling up on fueling up.

I know that everyone is different, but I was hoping to hear what those of you who have malabsorptive procedures do for rides that last longer than 2 hrs.

:Danni
*Working towards first century ride 1/9/11!

I eat quite a variety of stuff.
Infinit sports nutrition.  300 calories per bottle, and you can get it custome made to your needs.
You can also make it in a concentrated form just double the mix or even more so and put it into one of the small gel flasks and use it like a gell for a quick 1 ounce shot of calories.
Sports gels some times I dilute them in water, some times I don't
Nuun Electrolyte replacement tabs.  All the electrolytes you need with no sugar.
Peanut butter sandwich, since it doesn't have to be refrigerated it works great.
Power bars and protein bars, cliff bars

I don't just live on the electrolyte drinks and the infinit though.  I try to make sure I have water as well.

It also depends on the nature of the ride.  Is it a social ride where we are going to stop and wait for stragglers?  If so I'll bring something like the peanut butter sandwich.  If not I'll live on gels and sports drinks and sports beans.  Things that are easily opened and eaten while riding.

Some times I'll use salt tablets as well if it is going to be really hot or a very long ride.

I set my watch to beep at me every 10 minutes and I alternate between water/electrolyte drink and one of the drinks that has calories.  If I don't it's easy to lose track of time and distance.  The beeping watch is my guardian.  It beeps, I drink. 

That's awesome thank you!

What kind of watch do you have? I find that I get easily distracted and under-hydrate myself- that would be a great addition!

I use a Garmin 305 Forerunner and do the same thing. I like Cytomax for electrolytes, I also take in A LOT of Salt Tabs... Usually 2-3 Enduralytes p/ hour if it is NOT too warm, I also prefer gels and my new favorite... The new HONEY WAFFLE by Stinger... It is about the most AWESOME thing I have ever tasted and has NO refined sugar! Check em out!

I saw those Enduralytes and wondered if they would be any good. Do you notice any major difference between them an electrolytes?

I'm definitely checking out those Stinger gels, I've been doing the Hammer ones and they're alright but I certainly wouldn't take them if I didn't have too!

The enduralytes are great.  Those are what I was referring to when I said salt tablets.  I just couldn't recall the name.

You can get them in bulk or individual serving pouches.
I bought a little pop top bottle from hammer to hold them in.  It's a pain ripping open a bag when you are riding or running the bottle is much more convenient, and can hold the whole rides worth.

Scott

I'm using the same Garmin that Dan is.

The 305
You can get them fairly cheaply now because they have come out with the 310 model.
Or you can get yourself one of the Garmin 500 bike computers.  Very nice and well priced for what you get.
They also just came out with the 800 model it's a lot pricier, but it's got a touch screen.  Kind of like the I-pod of the bike computer world.

Scott

Oooh touch screen- that's flippin' awesome. I've got 305 cyclocomputer, but it's used and doesn't hold a charge very long...maybe for Christmas Santa will bring me a brand new 800 model....a gal can dream!

i usually eat gels or chewy granola bars (usually the ones around 100 calories) depending on the ride.  i use poweraide zero for electorlytes.  if i'm doing something really big like a century, i will load up on anything and everything at the aide stations.  i use the garmin 310XT, and love it!  good luck, century rides are a blast!

Granola bars, geez I haven't had one of those in forever- I used to love them- that's a great idea! Thx