I've got a big ride coming up next month, it's a local organized metric quarter-century ride with a few hundred feet of elevation gain. Currently my "long days" are about half that distance, with a couple of refueling stops at convenience stores.

I'm hoping to do this ride without "bonking", and I know there are at least 3 designated rest stops on this route which should have PB&Js and the like, but I'm worried I'll need additional nutrition to ensure I finish strong. Any suggestions on quick-digesting high-carb snacks I can use to get me between the stops?

Also, for training, I was told that I should start to taper now about 4 weeks out so that I'm fresh on the big day, basically reduce my mileage and then take the 2 weeks before the event off. That seems a bit excessive, has anyone had success with rides of this length?

Your knowledgeable input is appreciated.

Metric quarter century? Am I misunderstanding something?

100km = 62mi
62mi/4 = 15.5mi

Dan, I thought we all had a talk about this.

No.

3 goos and 4 bottles of gatorade with double the powder.

a metric quarter century is 25 kilometers, or 15.5 miles (as pointed out above)... your "long" days are 12.5k -- 7 miles? And you stop and refuel ... more than once?

something's not quite clear in the way you've phrased things... anyhoo...

The last 100mi ride I did I stocked up on golden oreos at each rest stop. On that day, they sounded and tasted amazing. It depends on what your body tolerates over longer distances/time. For me, I pack a couple goos (that I know I like), a handful of Hammer Endurolytes (as important as food), and I'll snack a little at each rest stop when I refill water. The goos are last-resort --an aid station every 15-20 miles is plenty that you shouldn't really need to be refueling in between. Depends on your training, tolerance, and expectations. I know some folks who actually gain weight during organized rides.

To answer your tapering question, cycling doesn't need the giant taper that running does (or so I've been told, I'm not a runner). Sure, taper some the week before the event, but if you're riding consistently in the weeks leading up to the ride (including a couple rides close to the event distance), I'd not take the whole week off.

Hi. What is this thread about?

You're a braver man than me to sign up for something like that.

Thanks Dex. I do enjoy golden oreos so I think I'll have to add that to my arsenal when planning this ride. Double-stuffed would probably allow me to carry more calories in less space.

SIS bars for the on-saddle time and 4-to-1 recovery drinks at the stops. 2 bananas in Jersey pockets with a few caffeine tablets stowed under bibs for emergency

Try swapping to aerobars and GP4000s tires if you can. The cumulative wattage savings will be equivalent to shortening the ride to 1/5th century

Chamois cream. They tell me this stuff works miracles.

11-34 for those hills.

Convert to 1x11 with a friction shifter.

ive never heard of chainrings that small, but its a good idea in theory

Consider replacing the stuffing in the oreo's with chamois cream. I hear all the pro's are applying it internally.

I think you should just scrap the entire thing. Setting your sites too high is a recipe for failure.

Are you saying he should make his own oreos???

Alternatively, he could acquire artisinally curated "oreos" from some "cyclists" in Williamsburg.

Only if he can find cruelty free, plant based wafers impregnated with essential oils.

Parody failure.

15 miles? Unless you are really pushing hard, you probably don't even need a water bottle...

studies have shown water bottles added to the seattube decrease air resistance, so its worthwhile to add, even if it doesnt contain EPO

With that much elevation gain you'll really want to consider an ultra-lightweight chinese carbon build. If you go with Dura-Ace, make sure you double bandage your hands so they don't get all cut up and bloody on such a long ride.

It's longer than that. They give out these stickers if you make it, can't wait-