Thread: Preparing for first really big ride. tips on food?

"Ty- If you don't mind me asking, how much water do you bring/consume for the Downieville XC? I think I finished 3 liters from my camelback during a practice run, but that seems like a lot of weight to schlep up the climb. Also, the camelback is hot and surely makes me sweat more."

for the climb, I start out with 1 bottle....but I am trying to kick it up that thing in and around an hour (in reality, it won't be less than an hour but that's the goal). When I get to Packer, I get rid of the empty, and pick up two more from friends who are stationed up there. I'll down one from Packer, through Sunrise, and on all that fireroad traversing into babyheads, because on my SS, there's only so fast I can go on that fireroad and it's a good place to drink up. then I'll save that last bottle for the remainder of the way down...at that point, due to the course, I'm usually only taking swigs from it periodically because it's hard to take your hands off the bars. But there are enough spots to make it doable, especially down on 1st Divide. My finishing goal is 2.5 hours (that puts me in range of the SS podium which is usually between 2:20 and 2:25, so 2 - 3 bottles should be plenty. A 70oz Camelback or RaceBack would also be enough (for me), but I don't like racing with one (heat retention, and weight on the back on a SS sux)

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

for the climb, I start out with 1 bottle....but I am trying to kick it up that thing in and around an hour (in reality, it won't be less than an hour but that's the goal). When I get to Packer, I get rid of the empty, and pick up two more from friends who are stationed up there. I'll down one from Packer, through Sunrise, and on all that fireroad traversing into babyheads, because on my SS, there's only so fast I can go on that fireroad and it's a good place to drink up. then I'll save that last bottle for the remainder of the way down...at that point, due to the course, I'm usually only taking swigs from it periodically because it's hard to take your hands off the bars. But there are enough spots to make it doable, especially down on 1st Divide. My finishing goal is 2.5 hours (that puts me in range of the SS podium which is usually between 2:20 and 2:25, so 2 - 3 bottles should be plenty. A 70oz Camelback or RaceBack would also be enough (for me), but I don't like racing with one (heat retention, and weight on the back on a SS sux)

Ah, friends in high places. I need some of those. Thanks!

Edit: Sorry for the thread sway.

Originally Posted by AKbruin

Ah, friends in high places. I need some of those. Thanks!

Edit: Sorry for the thread sway.

I've also done two bottles in the cages on the bike, and 1 extra in the middle pocket of my jersey...it works, but if you can do that climb without the extra weight (every little bit helps up that sucker), then take advantage of it!

trackhead posted this a while ago, which seems like a good idea:


for extended exercise-intensive outings, I like to have a bottle or camelback with steeping yerba mate tea bags. i usually refill the bottle with the same tea bags many times. it's always done me well. ideally, i also have a bottle with just water.

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

(homemade rice cakes with a bit of egg / bacon mixed in are freaking perfect).

How do you make these? bake mixture with already cooked rice?

Originally Posted by bodywhomper

How do you make these? bake mixture with already cooked rice?

Dr. Allen Lim (the dude in your video above) is the man!



HIs cookbook is a really good $20 bucks well spent: http://www.amazon.com/The-Feed-Zone-.../dp/1934030767

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

Dr. Allen Lim (the dude in your video above) is the man!

HIs cookbook is a really good $20 bucks well spent: http://www.amazon.com/The-Feed-Zone-.../dp/1934030767

that's funny. thanks.