Experiment with nutrition on a double century.
 

Had a very interesting two day trip. I did something new (for me) which I can share with a word of caution. I started the day on Tuesday with a big BF: Triple oatmeal, Raisin Bran, strawberries, milk. Drove 2:30 hrs to Camp Douglas, WI. Biked 100 miles on just Hammer and GU Gel. Both are loaded with caffeine and I had one 100 calorie package per hour until I got to Trempealeau, WI on the Mississippi.
Lots of water. I had enough energy to circle around the Wildlife Park. Dinner was Ahi Tuna Steak rare with mashed potatoes fortified with garlic and veggies. Two dinner rolls and a bottle of red wine.
Next day a repeat of the first day. Same nutrition. The last 15 miles on a paved trail from Elroy to Camp Douglas. I raced a military guy on a Trek Madone. I was on a 40# Trail Bike. I dropped him by cranking my HR up to 140 and holding it there. We talked and he turned out to be 53 (I am 66).
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Word of caution. I did sleep well but feel jittery this morning like on an overdose of caffeine. Have been drinking lots of milk to counter that effect.

For most of us- experimentation on Century ride would be foolhardy- But you definitely know your body's needs better than most of us know ours.

But have to agree about the Caffeine. I drink a lot of coffee but did one ride with 3 Gels with caffeine. I think one would have been enough.

I take the Hammer Gel and I cant believe how fast it works. I did check out the label and it didn't say anywhere on there about caffeine though. I've been taking Heed and Perpetuem, for rides longer than 2 hours I was taking Whey, instead of breakfast and I just read where that's a no no. Your only suppost to take Whey after the ride. Anyway I think I have a pretty good combination now.

According to Hammer, you're only supposed to take whey protein after a ride, but I don't buy that. I agree with their 7 to 1 mix ratio of carbs to protein (that their Sustained Energy uses) for an endurance drink, but not the whey protein part of their thinking.

My endurance drink is a lot like Sustained Energy, but I mix it myself (and use whey protein, not that nasty soy protein). The better mixes like Sustained Energy (and Perpetuem, for that matter) are 80 to 95 percent maltodextrin, and I buy that at $12.99 for 7 pounds to use in my own mix.

My mix has worked great for me for long rides, as long as I down enough of it, and eat a very small amount of something solid to help keep my stomach settled. You do end up having to experiment to see what works best for you, though, and even very serious riders who think they have it all worked out can end up having to make changes as they go.

A double century is 200 miles in 24 hours or less. From your original post, it sounds more like you rode back-to-back centuries (i.e. two centuries on consecutive days) rather than a double century.

Is that right? Or am I reading it wrong?

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

That's worth a try Bud, where did you buy the maltodextrin?

I get mine from bulknutrition.com. It's made by Now Foods and called Carbo Gain.

Triple oatmeal, raisin bran and lots of water would not be the recipe for success for me starting a full day ride.

Rick, you beat me to it.

Well you know Dante, I'm not likely to ever beat you on a double, so this was my only chance :).

Tell you what though, how 'bout you get to be the "Double Century Police" next time :thumb:.

Rick / OCRR

With all that complex carbo and bulk, when do you BM? Before the ride, or during?

I am in very good condition to do 100 miles in one day and another 100 miles the next day.
Sorry, I did not mean to say double century in one 24 hour period.

Finding the right nutrition is a serious problem because the eating places along the way are not set up for performance food. I find that that large oatmeal BF carries me until about noon after that I run out of energy fast. The normal stuff I get to eat does not replenish my batteries so I have experimented with these Gels. They work, no question. I do get this high strung feeling and I am fishing around for information if others have some insight.

Hammer offers both types. With and without caffeine. I picked the one with double caffeine because it helps me getting my HR up to an efficient rate. Without such supplements my HR is around 100 and it takes a big effort in a big gear to get up to 130. That is hard on the knees. Using caffeine loaded gel gets my HR to 140 and sitting down at very high cadence. I cannot do that without caffeine.

Sorry, I used the wrong terminology. I did back to back centuries on unpaved trails.

Interesting that you say this.
I have done this for 25 consecutive days of 120 miles average per day. Worked great except the oatmeal is done after about 50 miles or so.
I meant to say that I drink a lot of water. Not with the oatmeal. I have milk with oatmeal and fresh fruit.

Sorry, I used the wrong terminology. I did back to back centuries on unpaved trails.

I use heavy doses of fiber supplements for years. I use nutrition for energy and fiber supplements for regularity. It is not an issue with me.

Here is a related link.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/he...in&oref=slogin

Hey Will, it sounds like you got the right combination.I load up on the fruit flavor gel and the Heed and the Perpetuem and I have a hard time getting my HR above 140.

Depends on the Flavor. Espresso (duh) and Tropical have something like 30mg / serving. The others don't.

I knew I shouldn't have answered.:bang: Now I have a new job......I quit.:crash: