Trek2200rider

Going to ride my first century soon and would like some advise on what I need to eat,drink the day before/of? Going to be around mid 90's here in Georgia and pretty humid. Thanks for the help !!!

HOG-I

Lots of water the day before plus add 32oz of Gator Aid or the like. Pasta, pasta, pasta starting a few days before the event. Good breakfast on the morning of (oatmeal and a banana work well) water, and more energy drink. Take one bottle of water and one of energy drink on the century. Depending on the support along the way, you might take a banana along just incase, you should be able to replentish water and gator aid at the rest stops. I also like to carry my old standby to avoid the "bonk" - one or two Pay Day bars - beat the "H" out of ANY energy bar - plus they taste good.

karlfitt

From everything I have heard, you need to eat on the century what you have been eating while training.

You have been doing long rides before now, right?

What have you been doing on those rides?


I am workimg up to my first century myself, still haven't tried any solid foods, but I drink Accelerade and use those Gu shots, about 300 cals an hour for rides over two hours. Next step is to see what solid foods I can eat while riding.

Trek2200rider

Thanks for the advise....not been riding very long on the road bike(just got it about 3 weeks ago) I'm a looong time mountain bike rider and this new Trek ROCKS. Right now my longest ride to date is a 60 mile ride last weekend but wasn't sure how much of a difference the 100 would be over the 60. Can't wait to ride it !!! Thanks !

Zin

When I did my first century in June I followed the advice of our BF friends.
1. Carb load beginning a couple of days prior to the ride. Don't over do it, but like HOG-I said, pasta seems to be the norm.
2. Begin hydrating a couple of days prior as well. Don't wait until you are thirsty. Drink loads of water.
3. Oatmeal and a banana for breakfast the day of the ride. Great Call! That is what I had.
4. During the ride snack, snack, snack. I used Cliff bars. About 1/2 of one per hour. I found in my training that any more than that caused an upset stomach.
5. 2 bottles. 1 with water and one with sports drink. The sports drink is important to keep your electrolytes in balance. It also helps with the hydration process.
6. I stopped consuming solid foods after the 70 mile point. Switched to Cliff shots, sports drink and water. After 70 miles I really wasn't interested in eating solid foods. Not sure why.

I had only done one Metric Century prior to doing my Full Century. However, I am a "hard-core" bicycle commuter. I had well over 1000 miles under my belt for the year prior to doing the ride.

Oh, I did my metric and full centuries on my 1978 Raleigh Gran Prix 10 speed! You should have an easier time on something a bit newer.

EDIT: Almost forgot. Your mental preparations are just as important as your physical preparations. That is a long time to be in the saddle. On my century, the first 40 miles was into a stiff headwind. Between 80-90 was also back into that wind. Also, it was in mountainous terrain. Such a combination can cause serious mental issues while on the ride. It is amazing how one's demons can come out at the worst possible moment.
Good luck!