jeneralist 

I just finished my first metric century this weekend, and I'm already planning for my first Imperial later this season. I've found what looks like a nice, well-supported ride on the same sort of terrain. (I just finished the Chesapeake Challenge; I'm thinking about the Shorefire Century -- both on the northern part of the Delmarva peninsula.)

So now it's time to ask for training ideas. I did the metric at an 11.5 mph moving average -- faster on the first part of the course, when the hills were fewer and I was fresher. I'd like to pick up the pace. If I don't, they'll close the course on me!

I turn to the wisdom of the group for suggestions. Is it enough to keep an eye on my pace while I ride? How do I make the jump from hanging with the D riders to the C group in my club?

And one more, slightly odd, question -- how to those of you who wear glasses keep them clear when it rains?

Barrettscv 

You should have no problem with the Imperial Century, but the prep required is different.

Most Metric Centuries do not require careful hydration and food intake IMO, but an Imperial Century does. I am careful to eat 250 calories an hour while completing an Imperial Century, I also drink a bottle of sports drink every hour. Falling behind in food intake and hydration will cause me suffer unnecessarily during the last 1/3 of an Imperial Century, while I can usually finish a Metric with just two bottles of water and an energy bar.

I would focus on speed, not distance at this stage of your development. Try to finish a Metric @ 15 mph before taking on an Imperial, YMMV.

Tom Stormcrowe

Honestly, if you can do a Metric, you can do an Imperial....it's just pace, time in the saddle, and hydration/nutrition pre and during the ride. Take in about 250 calories an hour in nutrients, and stay hydrated.

magohn

Sorry to thread hijack - but how do I keep 250 cals per hour up? I did my first 50 miler yesterday and ate a Clif bar and half PBJ - today I am achy and a little light-headed. Last week I did a 40 miler and felt great afterwards. I need to get to 100 miles in a day but cycle in a rural area with few stores etc to refuel from - any suggestion on what to pack to eat and schedule much appreciated....

Tom Stormcrowe

Calories can also come in liquid form, like Sports Drinks, Hammer Heed, for example. Just stay away from the drinks that use HFCS (High Fructose Corn Sweetener) to sweeten it because Corn Sweetener stimulates an insulin spike. The best sugar for long, controlled energy burn is Maltodextrin, and going liquid more than solid makes it easier to uptake the calories, and they won't pool in your stomach. Too much bulk in the stomach will not only make you throw up, it will work against you as far as hydration goes, since H2O flows to the region of greatest particulate concentration, and guess where that is if you are eating a lot of solid food! That's right, your stomach, and you get a serious case of sloshy nausea.

Gels are also good, or Shot Blocks, as well.

Another good one is Jelly Belly Sports Jelly Beans, believe it or not.

Mr. Beanz

Listen to this guy! ^^^

jeneralist 

I gotta try the jelly beans. I had my first gel on Saturday: my initial reaction was EEEEEEWWW! My description of the taste and texture, when my darling asked what had happened, is NSFW. Suffice it to say that I compared the gel to a fluid that might, under certain circumstances, emerge from the Stay-Puf Marshmallow Man.

sstorkel

The only gels worth swallowing are Hammer Gel. You can buy a sample pack that has one of each flavor. Find a flavor or two that you like then buy the 26-serving bottles and a couple of Hammer Flasks to carry it; easier to consume from the flask and a lot less packaging, too. I like Apple Cinnamon, Montana Huckleberry, and Raspberry. Unlike many gels, Hammer Gel is mostly slower-acting Maltodextrin rather than a bunch of simple sugars or HFCS.

On long rides, I drink CarboRocket and sometimes eat Clif Bars.

magohn

Thanks for all the great info on gels - I will go investigating...

Neil_B

"The best sugar for long, controlled energy burn is Maltodextrin, and going liquid more than solid makes it easier to uptake the calories, and they won't pool in your stomach."

Keep in mind that for some people this sugar has a strong laxative effect.

jeneralist 

+1. The stuff was featured in candy and cakes made for diabetics, once upon a time (it didn't give the same spike in blood sugar that table sugar does) -- and I learned quickly not to eat the treats at Uncle Misha's house.

Neil_B

Tastykake uses it in some products, and includes a warning label!

Tom Stormcrowe

Only if you eat too much at any given time, though, unless you are sensitive to MD. You should also slowly ramp up the intake to acclimatize your body to it. That way, you won't have a sudden urge to find some bushes during a ride.

Seattle Forrest

There are worse things that could happen to you on a long ride, 40 miles from home ... but you have to challenge your creativity to think of them!

d4c4c8

I recall the early powerbars of the late 80's early 90's.. They tasted like S**t and had about the same consistancy. Remember you aren't sucking down the Gell for fun, you're doing it to keep power on. I hate the texture & consistancy of all gells but still use them. just took me a while to find a couple that i could get down and keep down.

Mr. Beanz

So, are you planning to use the jelly beans as a supplement to real food, or as a substitute to real food on the century?

Bone Head

+1 on staying fueled and hydrated.

Whatever you choose for fuel (gels, bars, mustard and banana sandwich, etc) be sure to try it a few times before the event. You don't want to learn that the fuel disagrees w/ your system on race day.

Remember rule #1 -- Nothing new on race (event) day. That includes food & equipment.

jeneralist 

Supplement. The rest stops on the metric were great: bananas, PB&J, nutella, watermelon, oranges cut up, peanuts with m&ms... but nothing with caffeine. About 50 miles through I really wanted some caffeine -- and I remembered that there was 25mg in each gel.

Mr. Beanz

Oh cool! Believe it or not I know quite a few riders that try to get through a century with magical sport drinks and magic beans.

Lerxst

Call me crazy, but the Montana Huckleberry tastes like blackberry pie to me. I'm not having pie and eating it, too! Go me!