Originally Posted by hairnet (Post 11249604)

With KissSisko's comment I'm curious how some of the higher level racers feel about coffee and their training.

Originally Posted by BillyD (Post 11249190)

I'm sorry if Tom's sticky was not clear. Apparently some of you are so busy doing your thing - staying above the fray - that you didn't notice (or got accustomed to) all of the sniping and pot shots that have been going on all summer between the 41 and the 33. Well that's a good thing . . . staying above the fray, that is. The sniping is not.

For examples, if you wish not to look in the 41 then just look in the 33's Twitter thread. Virtually every day one or more individuals has to speak up about how "stupid" the 41 is. Routinely. Every day. And it breeds resentment and anger and feuds . . . and it has to stop. In BOTH directions.

It doesn't matter who started it. It's gotten out of hand after simmering all summer and it has to stop. It's a bad image for the forums in general, it's harassing, it's trolling, and it's high maintenance. Enough with all this. It's unnecessary. If you just cannot ignore a "stupid" post without speaking out on it then you may find yourself in trouble. Infractions will be issued for violations. You can THINK derisively about anyone and anything you want, but the verbal bashing of other people and other groups will no longer be tolerated.

Sorry I had to be the heavy, just trying to answer some questions.

This thread, per se, is not the problem, although a name change wouldn't hurt. There's no need to close it.

Originally Posted by hammy56 (Post 11249938)

What, are you afraid to get your beard wet?:p

Originally Posted by mollusk (Post 11250399)

And hey, hammy56, the family and I will be going to Sanibel Thursday night through Sunday morning. Is there a Saturday morning group ride in the area? Since we will be single vehicle and I'm the only one that gets up early I will have to ride my bike from the island to the start. Not a real big deal. I understand that bicycles are allowed on the bridge and are free.

And I'll have to sneak the bike discreetly into the van somehow.

Originally Posted by hammy56 (Post 11250447)

honestly the only sat ride is one i dont suggest...bummer, too bad you wont be around for our sun ride.

Originally Posted by mollusk (Post 11250542)

Sunday would be "maybe", but it would require a lot of coordination especially since I wouldn't be around for packing up and would probably be stinking sweaty for the whole ride back to Gainesville.

Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina (Post 11250557)

Coffee...mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Originally Posted by heckler (Post 11250115)

I would not go overboard on the G2. I always take at least one bottle of straight water. Once you go too syrupy with the gatorade it makes me more thirsty. I once did a 95+*F 30 miles RR with one bottle of G2 and one of water...never again will I mix it to full strength. I do much better with regular water and chews/gels/pills then trying to mix too much in liquid form.

Originally Posted by Flatballer (Post 11250168)

Gatorade is supposed to make you thirsty. That's a design feature, it keeps you drinking enough.

Originally Posted by ijen0311 (Post 11249410)

I always get a headache after a long ride. Why is this?

Originally Posted by ZeCanon (Post 11250218)

I guess I'm "higher"

I'm no coffee addict. Coffee once or twice a week, because I like the taste. More when I have a big school workload, just to stay awake.

I like coffee on race day for it's... erm.... "moving" effects. Gotta get the deed done before toeing the line :). It's a good way to make sure you're sharp on race day too. I probably have some 50% of the time, more so for early races than later ones.

If you're a caffeine addict, a cup before the start isn't going to do jack, other than keep a headache away. Best to keep yourself out of the addict category so it actually helps when you want it to, I think.


Re: headaches - bet you $10 you're dehydrated. Two bottles next time. Forget all the crap you can put in there, your body is pissed off from a lack of water, not salt/sugar/unobtanium.

Originally Posted by wens (Post 11250676)

I prefer gatorade half strength. It seems like full strength makes my mouth feel slimy, and I don't like that. It was especially bad in the pool when I couldn't spit or anything to clear it for extended periods. Half strength gatorade doesn't do that to me, and I still like it a lot better than water after it gets warm.

Originally Posted by KiddSisko (Post 11250030)

One possible reason is your posture and form while you ride. Certain muscles might be squeezing certain nerve channels, and while they might not seem related, the back of your neck/between your shoulder blades might be the problem area. Maybe your shoulder or neck muscles may need to strengthen over time, especially if you're riding for periods of time in a more aero position. A sports doctor would probably be able to evaluate that issue. There's also a women's specific forum here on BF, so maybe you can inquire there.

Originally Posted by Flatballer (Post 11250038)

once you get the magic password and learn the secret handshake, that is.

Originally Posted by Apus^2 (Post 11251014)

Do your headaches happen during the ride or after?

I occasionally get severe headaches after my longer rides--to the point I've talked to my doctor about them. He gave me imitrex for them (I haven't taken it yet). I'll finish the ride fine and I'll start to feel it coming on between my eyes. I usually spend the day chasing it--drinking water/tylenol. If I can catch it early enough, I'm good. But if I miss the opportunity, it may last well into the next day.

On hot rides, I take at least 4 bottles of liquid (first two gatorade, second two frozen water). I'd prefer 5-6 (I still have yet to figure out how to get the 6th bottle without going tri)--I stole a teammate's spare bottle today after the ride. He only went through two on an 80 mile ride--I went through 5 on a 60 miler (he lives 10 miles farther away from the start). I take 3-4 hammer endurolyte capsules before the ride, try to take some during the ride, and a bunch after. Last time I got the headache I spent the day trying to drown it with water. I think I made it worse by drinking so much water I flushed out electrolytes.

I was fully expecting a headache today. Happily, it didn't come.

Originally Posted by ijen0311 (Post 11249436)

I eat a clif bar before, bottle of water with one scoop of G2 powder an hour, and a Gu packet. I had always thought it was the heat, but I got out early today and still have a brutal headache.

Originally Posted by Racer Ex (Post 11251108)

Headaches- Sounds silly but check your helmet tightness and perhaps try on a larger size. Used to get headaches after motorcycle races and went up a helmet size...no more headaches.

Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina (Post 11250557)

Coffee...mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I'm enjoying a nice fresh brew right now. First thing in the morning - I love it.

I too enjoy its'...moving appeal...no need to lug around additional waste material.

Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina (Post 11252708)

I should have had more coffee today and perhaps a bit more for breakfast, too.

I'm in the middle of rebasing and trying to drop some weight. I've been cutting the calories kind of tight and I got it wrong today.

Today was day 4 of the 4 day block and it was 150km with climbing. I've done this ride a million times before and set off early and caffinated. Two hours in I was toast with 3 more hours to go. I stopped and had a coke and a muffin and almost chucked them both up. I wouldn't say it was a full bonk but I danced along the edge for 90 minutes or so.

40+ C near the end sure didn't help.

No point. I just had to whine and my wife was having none of it.

Originally Posted by KiddSisko (Post 11250030)

One possible reason is your posture and form while you ride. Certain muscles might be squeezing certain nerve channels, and while they might not seem related, the back of your neck/between your shoulder blades might be the problem area. Maybe your shoulder or neck muscles may need to strengthen over time, especially if you're riding for periods of time in a more aero position. A sports doctor would probably be able to evaluate that issue. There's also a women's specific forum here on BF, so maybe you can inquire there.