17 replies to this topic

[MSgt]

I have riding my bicycle more seriously since Jan 2010. My rides are getting longer and more adventurous A few weeks ago I boarded the light rail in Folsom with my bike, and rode it (the light rail) to downtown Sacramento. My plan was to ride my bike from downtown Sacramento, along the American River bike trail, back to our home in Folsom.

I felt great until I reached Sunrise blvd (8 miles to go). I started feeling really tired. Then at Hazel blvd (3 miles to go) I was feeling nauseated. By this time it seemed that I was coasting as much as I was peddling. My stomach hurt, I was dizzy, and my legs felt like jelly and swore I would never do anything like this again. If I had another way home I would have thrown my bike in the lake. When I got home I collapsed on the recliner with my feet up drinking as much water as I could. Then I couldn’t wait to do it again…

Afterwards I was told – next time - to take a water bottle of Gatoraide or something like that along with me and a candy bar. The guy at the bike shop suggested Nuun – so I bought some. I don’t really want to eat a candy bar because one of the reasons I am cycling is to lose some weight. I don’t want to eat a Snickers bar and find out that it cost me the same amount of calories I used on the bike ride.

Question - What do you guys use on your longer rides to keep from bonking? I know 28 miles isn’t long for some of you but it is the longest I have ridden yet. I am riding it tomorrow again. I will take Nuun and a protein bar of my wifes. I will let you know how it out.

[Devdave]

MSgt - PLEASE don't underestimate the amount of WATER you need on this ride!!

1) Bring Two Bottles with you and fill them up along the way additionally as needed

2) Make sure to eat a good breakfast with Carbs and Protein before the ride.

3) I use Cytomax powder in my Water Bottle, it helps with Cramps and provides some energy - only 90cal per scoop - I use two Scoops in a 24oz water bottle, and have another 24oz water bottle with just plain water.

4) Always have a Cliff Bar, or GU, or something you can take if you feel that you are bonking.

My Garmin Bike Computer notes that I burn approx 1,000 CAL an hour based on MPH / Climbing / and Length of ride, and it's fairly accurate.

You can figure a 28Mile ride is going to burn 2000+ Calories, so don't worry about intake.

Yes, you'll want to be at a deficit in the end, not just replacing what you want to burn off, but don't worry about a 200 cal cliff bar and maybe 180 cals of cytomax in a water bottle when you are burning 2000+ cals.

Trust me, you'll feel a lot better for it.

Have fun out there tomorrow!!

I have riding my bicycle more seriously since Jan 2010. My rides are getting longer and more adventurous A few weeks ago I boarded the light rail in Folsom with my bike, and rode it (the light rail) to downtown Sacramento. My plan was to ride my bike from downtown Sacramento, along the American River bike trail, back to our home in Folsom.

I felt great until I reached Sunrise blvd (8 miles to go). I started feeling really tired. Then at Hazel blvd (3 miles to go) I was feeling nauseated. By this time it seemed that I was coasting as much as I was peddling. My stomach hurt, I was dizzy, and my legs felt like jelly and swore I would never do anything like this again. If I had another way home I would have thrown my bike in the lake. When I got home I collapsed on the recliner with my feet up drinking as much water as I could. Then I couldn’t wait to do it again…

Afterwards I was told – next time - to take a water bottle of Gatoraide or something like that along with me and a candy bar. The guy at the bike shop suggested Nuun – so I bought some. I don’t really want to eat a candy bar because one of the reasons I am cycling is to lose some weight. I don’t want to eat a Snickers bar and find out that it cost me the same amount of calories I used on the bike ride.

Question - What do you guys use on your longer rides to keep from bonking? I know 28 miles isn’t long for some of you but it is the longest I have ridden yet. I am riding it tomorrow again. I will take Nuun and a protein bar of my wifes. I will let you know how it out.

[MSgt]

ok, instead of nuun I will take cytomax, I have one package I bought to try out. I will put it in the water bottle. I have a camelbak so I should only need the one water bottle with the cytomax in it. I take one of my wife's Luna bars with me.

Great advice on the morning. I will be going to breakfast at Waffle barn with my dad before my trip so I will order oatmeal and maybe an english muffin with peanut butter and lots of water (probably better than the combo #2 waffle, eggs and ham). I will let you know what happens. Thanks Dave!

btw, yesterday I rode from my house to Beals Pt (8 miles) and I felt so good I came back down the hill to Negro bar and rode back up to Beals point again. First time climbing up to Beals point twice in one ride. 23.2 miles. I drank half a nuun each time at Beals pt. I was fine.

[Devdave]

That's Awesome! And by the way I still haven't tackled the front side of Costco Hill (like you have). Only the back side.

I'd do anything you'd like for breakfast that isn't too greasy, and has carbs and protein. Usually I skip anything super spicy before a ride, as I don't want my stomach feeling messed up during the ride. But even the Ham Waffle Eggs has stuff you need for the ride, Carbs, Protein...

I found that the only flavor of Cytomax that was palatable was "Citrus". The rest tasted a little too sweet in the end, but one time, not a bad deal to taste a few.

I've been buying the LARGE (4lb I think) powders tubs at Performance Bike on Sunrise. If you're going to commit to that much - make sure you like the flavor!

I wouldn't put it in a Camelback (and you noted you weren't), as it will be hard to clean out.

Oh, and if it's your normal routine to drink coffee in the morning, don't skip that either - it will help perk you up for the ride....

ok, instead of nuun I will take cytomax, I have one package I bought to try out. I will put it in the water bottle. I have a camelbak so I should only need the one water bottle with the cytomax in it. I take one of my wife's Luna bars with me.

Great advice on the morning. I will be going to breakfast at Waffle barn with my dad before my trip so I will order oatmeal and maybe an english muffin with peanut butter and lots of water (probably better than the combo #2 waffle, eggs and ham). I will let you know what happens. Thanks Dave!

btw, yesterday I rode from my house to Beals Pt (8 miles) and I felt so good I came back down the hill to Negro bar and rode back up to Beals point again. First time climbing up to Beals point twice in one ride. 23.2 miles. I drank half a nuun each time at Beals pt. I was fine.

[chris v]

I have had in the past major issues with eating before a ride. Seems it didn't matter what I ate, I would throw it up always. Exercise and food do not work well with me. So, for example, here is what I do. And remember, I'm also cycling to lose weight so I'm not a 150lb cyclist. First you have to find a limit for yourself. On a ride, I bonk without fail at around 40 miles if I haven't had any form of nutrition. If I know I'm doing 60 hard miles I will take enough gels with me to eat one per hour. I will mix good old gatorade in one bottle and water in the other. I go through 2 24 oz bottles in 1 1/2 hours. This works for me. You need to find out what works for you. Bonking is part of learning your limits. It's discouraging but don't let it get to you. It happens to all of us.

Another thing about the gels... I am extremely caffeine sensitive so I have to look at the packages to make sure there is no caffeine in them otherwise..... whoa.... to much, headrush, almost feels like bonking to me.

[gm2005]

Mike - awesome job dude!
As Dave has told you it's important to eat a good breakfast (with protein, carbs, and some fat in too). Eat at least 45 minutes before you head out.

Some people don't like cytomax. If you find yourself to be one of those, try Accelerade. It's pretty tasty and a lot of people tolarate it pretty well. They have them in ready to drink, powder of gel formulas.
Then when you are out on your ride drink water then the supplument, then water, then supplament.
As Dave told you, if you are using good quality hydration and recovery products (and not candy bars ) it will help your body keep going and believe it or not help you loose the weight you are trying to loose.
When you go on your long rides and are stressing the muscles it's good to drink some kind of recovery drink afterwards (like Endurox). It helps with muscle recovery and sorness.

I know some of this sounds crazy because you are doing all this to loose weight, so it sounds crazy to be drinking and eating before, during and after, but it actually helps your body do what it needs to do.

Have fun and keep up the good work.

[folsombound]

All great advice! If you keep riding and eat sensibly you won't have to worry about the weight. Without a doubt have plenty of water and Cytomax is the best stuff I have found as an energy drink as well. The gel packets work very well to pick you up too. Bonking happens, you just need to get something in you to make it through.

Keep cycling!

[MSgt]

Thank you! 30.7 miles, 2hrs 23 min, 12.8 mph.... NO BONKING!!!
My wife dropped me off around the Crocker Art museum about 8:15am . I wanted to get in 30 miles so I rode south to the marina and then back north to Discovery park.
65 degrees when I left and 82 when I got home (in the shade).
This time I felt good at Sunrise and just as good at Hazel. Ate the Lune bar and drank half the cytomax an hour in. Finished the drink 45 min later. There was less than 1/4 cup left in my camelbak when I got home.
This is the farthest I have ever rode my bike - I am very excited!
Thanks again - all of you.
@GM... the cytomax was fine, no prob.
@Chris.. I ate a bowl of Kashi go lean with raisins and blueberries in it -no prob.

[chris v]

Good work! It's fun isn't it.

[Dave Burrell]

What kind of bikes do you guys ride? Post pix if you can.

[MSgt]

What kind of bikes do you guys ride? Post pix if you can.

This is my new bike. My wife gave it to me last month.
Gary Fisher Montare <- click for specs

Good work! It's fun isn't it.

Yes, I had a blast! I still can't believe you rode 100 miles last weekend.

[Devdave]

Awesome!!

Thank you! 30.7 miles, 2hrs 23 min, 12.8 mph.... NO BONKING!!!
My wife dropped me off around the Crocker Art museum about 8:15am . I wanted to get in 30 miles so I rode south to the marina and then back north to Discovery park.
65 degrees when I left and 82 when I got home (in the shade).
This time I felt good at Sunrise and just as good at Hazel. Ate the Lune bar and drank half the cytomax an hour in. Finished the drink 45 min later. There was less than 1/4 cup left in my camelbak when I got home.
This is the farthest I have ever rode my bike - I am very excited!
Thanks again - all of you.
@GM... the cytomax was fine, no prob.
@Chris.. I ate a bowl of Kashi go lean with raisins and blueberries in it -no prob.

[Ray]

Our Bikes:

His: Specialized Roubaix Triple: Specialized Roubaix

Hers: Specialized Ruby Expert Carbon Triple: Specialized Ruby

What kind of bikes do you guys ride? Post pix if you can.

Great Ride!!

Thank you! 30.7 miles, 2hrs 23 min, 12.8 mph.... NO BONKING!!!
My wife dropped me off around the Crocker Art museum about 8:15am . I wanted to get in 30 miles so I rode south to the marina and then back north to Discovery park.
65 degrees when I left and 82 when I got home (in the shade).
This time I felt good at Sunrise and just as good at Hazel. Ate the Lune bar and drank half the cytomax an hour in. Finished the drink 45 min later. There was less than 1/4 cup left in my camelbak when I got home.
This is the farthest I have ever rode my bike - I am very excited!
Thanks again - all of you.
@GM... the cytomax was fine, no prob.
@Chris.. I ate a bowl of Kashi go lean with raisins and blueberries in it -no prob.

[chris v]

This is what I'm riding.

[Dave Burrell]

what kind of price are we talking about for these types of bikes? 100's? 1000's?