"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - 8.8 mile Time Trial

I have an 8.8 mile time trial coming up next week, and am currious what one should eat prior to the race and when?
Powerbars? Power Gell? Fruit?
Help me out.

8 miles? A bowl of cereal and bottle of gatorade should about do it.

You'd think so huh. It is all hills and to be honest I am a only slightly above average rider. Any other tips?

I ride a just over 7 mile TT every other week and I eat a good size meal 3 to 4 hours before the race. If I start to get a little gnawing feeling after warm-up/just before start time I down a powergel with caffiene in it. I think it's pretty hard to bonk over 8 miles unless you've been starving yourself all day. I've made the mistake of eating a big meal too close to start time and I nearly puked.

Having said that, I'm not an authority. Just works for me.

I agree. I usually scarf down a hearty meal 2 hours beforehand, and follow up with a gel 10 minutes before the race. Anyone else getting hungry?? :)

Originally posted by spexy
I think it's pretty hard to bonk over 8 miles unless you've been starving yourself all day.

I have bonked on a long ride once and it was not pretty.

So basicly a shot of caffene and some instant carbs should do the trick? I mean I realize this is a very short race, but it is important that I beat a few individuals in the ride.

I've bonked before too. But the two times it happened I had been out for awhile and hadn't eaten anything in a long time.

I think the trick is to get to start time without feeling like a brick is in your gut but also not having the stomach growling either. Fueling your system the night before seems to be even more important really. Where's Koffee and the other pros???

Since it's a short race, endurance and constant input of fuel is not as much of an issue.

I hear you on the urge to get your closest competitors. All sorts of factors play a part. From what's going on in your stomach, heart, lungs, muscles and MIND to what's going on in theirs.

Good luck. Let us know what happens.

Ok. Scarf down a big plate of some pasta the night before. Wake up and have some toast, cereal and a piece of fruit, preferably 90 minutes before you ride. There should be no reason why you'd bonk in 8 miles. And as usual, hydrate.

I'd eat an entire chicken before the race, about 2 hours, with gravy and everything, cranberry sause is also extremely important to insulin production. Chicken has been proved in the lab to be one of the fastest smartest animals on the planet.



Vhomiting is fun!!!:thumbup:

Oh, all right....

I'm in dial up hell, so not around much until comcast gets their lazy, stinkin' butts out here.... next Tuesday!

Anyway, I am not a racer, but if it were up to me, I'd be carbo loading the night before- eat plenty of pasta earlier in the evening.

At least 24 hours in advance, drink about a gallon of water to ensure you are well-hydrated for the day of the race.

Later in the evening, have a full 32 oz gatorade to get your electrolyte levels up.

Day of, eat 3- 4 hours before the race- a healthy, but light meal that has increased complex carbs.

About 30 minutes before the race, have a powerbar.

Take gu, gatorade with you during the ride in case you need that quick energy during the race.

Make sure your water is not freezing cold, but just cool enough, and certainly, not hot!

I'd skip the caffeine personally. Caffeine is a dieuretic (sorry about the spelling), and it will dehydrate you, and for me personally, I spend a lot of time in the bathroom when I have caffeine in my system, which is NOT cool.

My 2 cents. Good luck with your race and report back!

Koffee

well I did my best in some really hot and humid weather. The race was 8.51 miles of all hills and I beat my Asst Mgr. by 7 seconds my manager by 2 minutes, and the company (Trek) president by 18 seconds. I have a $100 bill and a $1 bill waiting for me back at work for beating the president.

As far as food went, I hydrated a bit more than usual the day befor the ride, ate a Twister three hours prior to the race and had 1 bottle of Gaterade and a "power Gel" five minutes before the ride.

Thanks for the tips.

you work for trek? nice. congrats on the ride, btw.

Originally posted by pgreene
you work for trek? nice. congrats on the ride, btw.

Yep, that is the only way I can afford to ride a good bike AND own clothes to wear while riding it.:eek:

Thanks for the congrats.:D