Since starting this training for the Century Ride, there has been a lot of stuff that has gotten in the way.. just 'stuff' that needs me to make some sort of decision that can have an effect on how I ride, how far I can go, and avoiding the bonk. How much do I eat before a ride, what do I eat before a ride, what do I drink.. drink too much and there are too many potty stops, not enough and I bonk. What do I drink? Water is good, but I also need to replace electrolytes and I need sugar.. something I had given up along with simple carbs and replaced with complex carbs. So many decisions!
The drinking thing seemed to give me a real problem. Coaches were pretty clear, one bottle of water, one bottle of Gatorade or similar product. So, I struck out to find something I liked and would fit the bill. Oh.. and did I mention that since I am a klutz, I can not reach down, get a bottle of drink, raise it to my lips and keep the bike up on two wheels? Well, I can't do it. Practice or no practice, can't do it.. so enter the Camelbak. Yes, folks, I wear my water proudly on my back with a long tube I can just shove in between my teeth, bite down and voila! water! The Camelbak is the next best thing to having an IV pole attached to my bike.
Water problem solved.
Now, the Gatorade problem. Gatorade is too sweet, don't like it. And it doesn't like me much either. I tried G2, less sugar, still not really fond of it, I tried the powders and mixed them myself and over-diluted them a bit, still didn't work. I tried a couple of different versions and brands, all with the same effect (not something to talk about in polite company-- and you can't have that going on in the middle of a 100 mile bike ride).
Then I hit upon the perfect solution (no pun intended). A friend mentioned to me that her husband (a runner) drinks Kool-Aid. So, I picked up some of those little packages of Cherry flavored Kool-Aid, the kind you add your own sugar to (cheap!), I made up a pitcher of it, adding a lot less sugar than the recipe calls for, hmmm tasty!
Now, I just had to solve the electrolyte issue. I found a bottle of this stuff in Whole Foods, called Endure. Now, get your minds out of the gutter, it isn't what you are thinking at all... it is for enhancing your performance.. er.... I mean, it is full of performance enhancing electrolytes. There we go, back on track. It has Na+, K+, Cl-, Mg+, and SO4. 16 drops in 16 ounces of my Kool-Aid and I am good to go. So far, no bonk, no cramps and associated issues, and no Charley Horses in my legs, and it costs a whole lot less! One big decision out of the way. And.. I can put it in my checked luggage so I can make my own supply while in Tahoe. Hurdle overcome!
Summary of last Saturdays Cookie Ride:
7.5 mile, 3% grade out to Torrington.
2 long climbs with an average 6% grade (with some short sections up to 12%) on Route 20.
Over 5000 feet of climbing over 65 miles.
The fact that I finished is amazing to me.... even though I feel like it was not a complete success because I had to stop on the big hills, but I didn't walk, I just rested and then got back on and went on.
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