Originally Posted by
kc0bbq
An unsupported solo 70 is much tougher than a supported 100. You're right where you should be if you want to attempt that century, so if that's your concern you really don't need to worry about that. I'm not saying you should or should not, but I'm pretty convinced that you're completely capable of completing it if you decide to try.
Thanks for the encouragement. Like I said, I want to achieve a century, and that's going to be my plan. But if I'm feeling dogged than I will take the option to end early. I'm sure with the numerous SAG stops I will be able to ride a lot better than I did last Saturday. I don't remember how many different stops there are, but I think this will be like riding from stop to stop until I finish.
Gatorade is overly sweet tasting, especially once your metabolism is going all out. It was created more as a drink for high intensity, shorter term work than being tailored for longer endurance stuff. It's pretty normal for the taste to get a bit overwhelming. A lot of riders (including me) like to dilute it by half with water if that's what we're drinking. When I know I'm pushing myself I like more specialized stuff like scratch, but it isn't super cheap. 1lb is $20, and I think that fills about 24 16oz bottles. The flavor is very light. I really like the pineapple, but you don't really taste it much until your taste buds start getting really sensitive. It doesn't have a lot of calories (something like 40 per 8oz), but that's OK if you want to rely on solid food for your calories. Gatorade does its job, certainly, but there are just things that are more specific to what we do now.
I like it a little weak, maybe not quite half strength but less than 3/4 strength. Basically I like it watered down. I will take some powder with me on Saturday but I'm guessing they will have bottles of it at the SAG stops. If so, I plan to hydrate with just water in my bottles and maybe drink a Gatorade or whatever sports drink at every other SAG. I've had problems with leg cramps on longer rides in the past, and one thing that has helped prevent them is sports drinks.