Originally Posted by
swampdonkey90
I did 56 miles today and thought I would die. I was ok until mile 38 or so but everything from there was with rubbery legs. I ate an energy gel at miles 20, 40 and 50 but never really got myself back together. I drank 4 bottles of powerade during the ride but I was having hydration issues probably from not drinking enough fluids for the days leading up to the ride. I was hoping to do my first metric century but it was not to be. I got a flat and I was so beat I did not even bother to to attempt installing a new one ( I have done this countless times..I was just exhausted). Humiliated and only 4 miles from home I had to have the wife pick me up. Ive been pretty depressed about the whole thing since I got home.
How often do you eat on 50 milers ? I thought with a good amount of gels I'd be ok but I was dead wrong. I generally ride 22-30 miles 4 times a week any I do those easily at 16-16.8 mph. But when I attempt a longer ride I die miserably. My longest ride before this was 55 miles and it ended just as tragically. Help.
Try using something other than a gel. Clif bars, fig bars, ham sandwich, peanut butter sandwich, Payday bar etc. Eat 100-300 calories per hour. Drink water, at least a bottle an hour and then in moderate weather <80°F add an electrolite drink once in a 60 miile ride. This is what I have done so far. I've used fig bars and clif bars and then towards the end of my ride will use a gel shot or two, usually before a climb or turning into the wind. Dehydration is a killer. I've had it and heat stroke before so now I drink water daily and often. Fill my 32 oz cup at the water cooler 4-7 times a day during the week. I try to drink a large galss before a long weekend ride and start drinking within the first half hour on the ride, paying attention to the time and making sure I drink at least a bottle an hour which is actually not enough. I'll modify or plan my route to stop and refill my bottles. I carry two on the bike, one more of water in a jersey pocket plus a 20 oz gatoraid. So far longest ride to date is about 75 miles.