Newbie wants to do LATOJA... any thoughts?
03-30-06, 09:55 PM
#1
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sandy, UT
Posts: 11
Bikes: '05 Specialized Allez Elite 56cm
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Newbie wants to do LATOJA... any thoughts?
Hey all... I am an old mountain biker who fractured his spine a few years back... I have been riding road bikes lightly. I just made the plunge and spend that I thought was a ton of cash on a new bike and just heard about LATOJA (Logan, Utah to Jackson, Wyoming). It is about 200 miles with hella hills and is expected to be a one day race. This year as I understand it, the race is on September 9.
Heres the concern. During my past few rides, at about 50 or 60 miles, all of my muscles get VERY painful and sore and suddenly stop working. I understand this is something to do with a limitation on oxygen, but dont really understand it. Is there a quick and dirty fix for this?
thx much peeps!
Heres the concern. During my past few rides, at about 50 or 60 miles, all of my muscles get VERY painful and sore and suddenly stop working. I understand this is something to do with a limitation on oxygen, but dont really understand it. Is there a quick and dirty fix for this?
thx much peeps!
03-30-06, 09:58 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
Lactic acid buildup . . . you ain't ready for Lotaja . . . yet!
03-30-06, 10:07 PM
#3
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sandy, UT
Posts: 11
Bikes: '05 Specialized Allez Elite 56cm
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
5 months not enough? I am hoping to get up to centuries in a month of light evenings and hard weekends; is there a standard training or does it vary...
to be honest, I never trained for mountain biking- I just went hard until i collapsed, then went again the next day.
also, is there an etiquette? If I show up and give it a try, but dont finish will I make new enemies?
to be honest, I never trained for mountain biking- I just went hard until i collapsed, then went again the next day.
also, is there an etiquette? If I show up and give it a try, but dont finish will I make new enemies?
03-31-06, 01:04 AM
#4
100% USDA certified
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Seattle -> NYC
Posts: 4,023
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
Maybe you're pushing too hard. What kind of cadence do you use on your rides? Higher RPMs will help get rid of the lactic acid.
03-31-06, 03:44 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
This isnt lactic acid buildup, it is "the bonk".
Your muscles, blood and liver have run out of stored energy (glycogen) and your metabolism is switching over to using fat as an energy source. The switchover can be uncomfortable.
The solution is to eat something regularly (every hour). It doesnt have to be some hi-tech energy drink or food but these are usually easier to use on a bike. You can use trail-mix, fig bars, sandwitches, bananas; anyting to increase your blood sugar level gradually without a sudden spike and drop.
Also, drink regularly to avoid dehydration which can really affect performance.
Your muscles, blood and liver have run out of stored energy (glycogen) and your metabolism is switching over to using fat as an energy source. The switchover can be uncomfortable.
The solution is to eat something regularly (every hour). It doesnt have to be some hi-tech energy drink or food but these are usually easier to use on a bike. You can use trail-mix, fig bars, sandwitches, bananas; anyting to increase your blood sugar level gradually without a sudden spike and drop.
Also, drink regularly to avoid dehydration which can really affect performance.
03-31-06, 07:53 AM
#6
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sandy, UT
Posts: 11
Bikes: '05 Specialized Allez Elite 56cm
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I try and maintain about 80 to 100 RPM, but am only estimating in my head; i dont have a meter.
Thanks, MichaelW... I will try this on my longer rides and see if this helps. I dont normally pack anything but water in my cambelback, so this is a solid idea.
Thanks, MichaelW... I will try this on my longer rides and see if this helps. I dont normally pack anything but water in my cambelback, so this is a solid idea.
