Seattle to Portland - First Time
 

I'm about to do this 200+ mile ride this weekend, probably in two days but possibly in one. It's a very well supported ride with free food stops about every 20-30 miles or so with other food stops possilble in between.

I'm thinking I'll start of with a three-hour bottle (6 scoops) of Perpetuem, a Carb-Boom gel and a Powerbar on the bike and then pick up whatever looks good at the free food stops, only using the on-bike resources as I feel necessary.

For hydration I'll have either Gatorade or G2 in the other bottle. I could take my Camelback, but with so many stops available, I don't think it will be necessary. I'll also have a few Endurolyte caps available if it gets hot.

Any suggestions, alternatives, warnings, etc.?

I'd put plain water in the other bottle and bring a couple of Ziplock bags of Perpetuem if that's your tried and true bike food. Maybe bring a couple more gels just in case. 2 tubes and pump. Spare pair of gloves. Suntan goo. Butt cream. Ibuprofen. Light or clear lenses for the start, dark lenses to change into. Blinky.

I bring a sheet with mileages of the stop points I intend to use, but no real cue sheet or map.

The beginning is kind of insane with a lot of riders competing for space on not very good roads. There are different theories for how to deal with that, depending on your goals and strength.

Pacelines are often impromptu. Watch out for people who have no idea what's going on. Try to find a fairly fast guy the size of a refrigerator and sit on his wheel. Be careful of going too hard in the early rollers. People who ride away from you you'll often see again.

Great advice, thanks. Someone told me it's a good idea to take and Advil or Ibuprofen 20+ miles in even if you don't yet need it. They said it helps to nullify butt and leg pain.

Got the tubes, pump, gloves, butt cream, tools etc. Will take the extra gels, etc.

Yeah, the crowded start is the only thing I'm really nervous about based on all the reports from last year. I'm thinking I'll ride very defensively at first until things get more strung out. Not sure whether it's better to try to start as early as possible, or relax, wait till near the end.

If you're riding 2-day, it doesn't matter so much. Just go when they tell you.

If you're riding 1-day for sure and are strong - can hold 20-22+ for long periods - and think you might finish in under 12 hrs. overall, then get there early and try to go out in the first release. Then work much harder than you might think appropriate, and against all normal advice, until you're out of Renton. That will get you clear of most of the poor bike handlers and out in good paceline territory. Try not to stop at the first, REI stop. Keep going or you'll lose the fast folks.

If you figure to finish in well over 12 hours, then it doesn't matter so much. Try to stick with folks who seem to know what's going on.

I guess I disagree with the automatic Vitamin I.