I think I've done something silly

TheEnglishman

I appear to have signed up for the 60 mile sportive this weekend. Without really thinking about it. So I'm hoping it doesn't rain, trying to find some sort of carrier for the pile of food I will be taking along (the pockets on my jumper aren't huge and I'm refusing to wear a suitable lycra top)and trying to figure out if one water bottle is enough.

Once more unto the climb, dear friends, once more;
Or close the road up with our Englishman dead.


I shall not be crying Harry, England or St George, but wheezing asthmatically.

I expect to see lots pointing and sniggering smileys.....

TommyEss

Good luck - I'd definitely plump for two bottles - even if it's a wet ride, it's not exactly freezing temperatures at the moment, so you'll sweat plenty!

team47b

As a diabetic I have to carry a load of stuff and emergency food and an entire lunch, I use one of these, yeah I know it's a bum bag even if they call it a waist pack. At 2l it's small enough not to notice the weight when you are wearing it.

Two bottles unless you can stop off regularly for refills


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evoc-Hip-Pack-2 ... =8-2-fkmr1

CiB

Don't overdo the food. 60 miles ~= 4 hours. Fours hours of not very intensive exercise isn't going to leave you flailing at 55 miles needing a million calories to finish the ride.

Enough fluid and a bit of light snacking + maybe a gel or two for emergency purposes will be enough. I learnt a long while that one of the stupidest things you can do on a longish trek is to take pocketfuls of food along for the ride; all that happens is that it makes your back uncomfortable where it digs in and when you get to the finish it goes in the bin as it's not very appetising after 60 miles in your back pockets.

A good breakfast, plenty to drink before the start then 2 x drinks bottles [refill en route when possible], a bit of flapjack or malt loaf and an energy gel will see 60 miles off no problem.

Hoopdriver

CiB wrote:

Don't overdo the food. 60 miles ~= 4 hours. Fours hours of not very intensive exercise isn't going to leave you flailing at 55 miles needing a million calories to finish the ride.

Enough fluid and a bit of light snacking + maybe a gel or two for emergency purposes will be enough. I learnt a long while that one of the stupidest things you can do on a longish trek is to take pocketfuls of food along for the ride; all that happens is that it makes your back uncomfortable where it digs in and when you get to the finish it goes in the bin as it's not very appetising after 60 miles in your back pockets.

A good breakfast, plenty to drink before the start then 2 x drinks bottles [refill en route when possible], a bit of flapjack or malt loaf and an energy gel will see 60 miles off no problem.

Very good advice. Sixty miles is very, very doable without a lot of on board fuelling

DavidBelcher

CiB wrote:

Don't overdo the food. 60 miles ~= 4 hours. Fours hours of not very intensive exercise isn't going to leave you flailing at 55 miles needing a million calories to finish the ride.

Enough fluid and a bit of light snacking + maybe a gel or two for emergency purposes will be enough. I learnt a long while that one of the stupidest things you can do on a longish trek is to take pocketfuls of food along for the ride; all that happens is that it makes your back uncomfortable where it digs in and when you get to the finish it goes in the bin as it's not very appetising after 60 miles in your back pockets.

A good breakfast, plenty to drink before the start then 2 x drinks bottles [refill en route when possible], a bit of flapjack or malt loaf and an energy gel will see 60 miles off no problem.

+1 to all that. Fluid is probably more important than food; I've done about 60 miles the roundabout way from here to Highworth/Lechlade (before stopping there for lunch) on just a good breakfast.

David

outofbreath2

As above re fluid over food. Decent meal the night before, and sorry but try not to overdo the beer. Good porridgey breakfast if you can - I have trouble personally so a flapjack/oaty bar on the way there and carry one with you.

I find that 2-3 jelly babies every 5 or so miles helps me - probably placebo but whatever gets you round. Also gave me something to look forward to and tick off the miles.

Hoopdriver

Maybe I've got too much natural 'reserves', but I can roll out of bed and set out on a sixty miler without any trouble - although I will certainly enjoy my breakfast when I return.

outofbreath2

I'm quite well stocked in the 'reserves' department too. I think for many people it's helpful just to feel 'prepared' and carry something 'just in case'. I think almost anyone who's used to riding a bike could get round before the marshalls go home but it's more fun when you don't feel you've turned yourself inside out and paid for the priviledge.

ShutUpLegs

Make sure you have a big poo beforehand

TheEnglishman

ShutUpLegs wrote:

Make sure you have a big poo beforehand

And I thought you lot would just be taking the pi$$ :roll:

Hoopdriver

TheEnglishman wrote:

ShutUpLegs wrote:

Make sure you have a big poo beforehand

And I thought you lot would just be taking the pi$$ :roll:

Quite right. You take the piss, but leave the poo

rhext

CiB wrote:

Don't overdo the food. 60 miles ~= 4 hours. Fours hours of not very intensive exercise isn't going to leave you flailing at 55 miles needing a million calories to finish the ride.

Enough fluid and a bit of light snacking + maybe a gel or two for emergency purposes will be enough. I learnt a long while that one of the stupidest things you can do on a longish trek is to take pocketfuls of food along for the ride; all that happens is that it makes your back uncomfortable where it digs in and when you get to the finish it goes in the bin as it's not very appetising after 60 miles in your back pockets.

A good breakfast, plenty to drink before the start then 2 x drinks bottles [refill en route when possible], a bit of flapjack or malt loaf and an energy gel will see 60 miles off no problem.

+1. I'd probably have a bottle of water, a bottle of energy drink, and maybe take a couple of cereal bars in a back pocket.

TheEnglishman

I was going to take 2 bottles of homemade chocolate milk ('cos I really like it) 4 cereal bars and the 2 energy gloop things that came free with some bike bits, as an emergency.

Along with allen keys, tyre levers, a puncture kit and a pump.

I just don't want to be the guy they're waiting for before they can take the signs down, pack up and go home.

DavidBelcher

TheEnglishman wrote:

I was going to take 2 bottles of homemade chocolate milk ('cos I really like it) 4 cereal bars and the 2 energy gloop things that came free with some bike bits, as an emergency.

Milk's not great for speedy hydration, though. And if it turns out to be a warmer than usual day (although looking out the window, nuff said on that front) your drink could end up being less than appetising.

David

TheEnglishman

No route up Box Hill

jonomc4

team47b wrote:

As a diabetic I have to carry a load of stuff and emergency food and an entire lunch, I use one of these, yeah I know it's a bum bag even if they call it a waist pack. At 2l it's small enough not to notice the weight when you are wearing it.

Two bottles unless you can stop off regularly for refills


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evoc-Hip-Pack-2 ... =8-2-fkmr1

Diabetic also (type 1 for nearly 30 years now) I also use a bum bag! May not be "cool" but it is better than using a rucksack! It is basically stuffed with an injection - blood tester - many energy gels and snicker bars + powdered hydo and carb drink additives. You bag looks a little larger than the jeep one I have - think I may get one of those!

outofbreath2

Keep the chocolate milk in a cool box in the car and save it for when you finish, in good time, and not just in front of the people taking the signs down.

Ben6899

TheEnglishman wrote:

I was going to take 2 bottles of homemade chocolate milk.

I need a massive sh1t and feel a bit sick just thinking about taking that on while riding my bike.

Water with electrolyte powder or liquid added, that's all you need.

t.m.h.n.e.t

TheEnglishman wrote:

I was going to take 2 bottles of homemade chocolate milk ('cos I really like it) 4 cereal bars and the 2 energy gloop things that came free with some bike bits, as an emergency.

Along with allen keys, tyre levers, a puncture kit and a pump.

I just don't want to be the guy they're waiting for before they can take the signs down, pack up and go home.

Don't be daft! Save the milk for after.

Peddle Up!

outofbreath2 wrote:

Keep the chocolate milk in a cool box in the car and save it for when you finish, in good time, and not just in front of the people taking the signs down.

Yep. Cool milkshake and a nice sarnie to look forward to.

dw300

If you're not a big guy you could well need food. I can't manage more than 2.5hrs without food. A guy with 6st of lean mass is gona have nowhere near as much glycogen as a guy with 12st of lean mass.

cougie

Do you normally cycle with chocolate milk ? I've never heard of anyone having that on the bike.

60 miles isnt that long - I'd say two energy bars tops - and two bottles of water / energy drink should do it. Have something to eat/drink every 20 mins or so ? Dont do it all in one hit or your body is too busy digesting your feed to be able to cycle properly.

TheEnglishman

I'm 140 pounds of skin and bone. Chocolate skim milk doesn't make me feel ill and it's something I like. I'll move on to energy drinks though - well, water and take some food. I really didn't like those gel things - like chewing snot.

Still - signed up for another now - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

schweiz

Hot Chocolate Milk or Ovaltine (or Ovalmaltine as it should really be called) is great at a mid ride cafe stop if it's been cold and/or wet but whilst riding....urgggh!

I'm with the others. I do my normal 30 mile training route before breakfast on a bottle of water and I'd probably just take a second bottle, a muesli bar and a banana for 60 miles.