I thought I share a bit of a lesson I learnt over the weekend about nutrition while on longer rides…..
So Saturday morning Aiden, Damon Adam and I rolled off from Park Rd for a ride out through Nebo, Glorious, Fernvale, Ipswich and back home. A long day in the saddle to be sure.
I got up early enough and had a few week-bix for breakfast and also had a bottle of Opti before I left home. Had run out of bananas at home so picked up a couple on the ride into Park road. With three Goo’s on board, plus the bananas and another bottle of Opti I thought I was well placed to survive the ride. The plan was to stock up at Fernvale.
Got through Nebo-Glorious OK and stocked up with a PowerAde and had 1 banana at the Glorious café before descending the other side. About 15kms after glorious I could feel the legs getting a bit tired so I dropped a Goo and things came good for a bit. However about 15kms out of Fernvale things got a little ugly…….
Travelling through some great countryside and passing Lake Wivenhoe I was starting to cramp and as the kilometres ticked by things were not looking good. We hit a 300m rise which was not super steep although as soon as I got out of the saddle, the calves, quads and hamstrings cramped and I almost fell off! The pain was pretty intense and hit really quick and for a few seconds felt terrible. Not in a good way I walked the bike up the hill and took 5 to smash another banana and half a waterbottle of PowerAde.
The body settled down a touch and we were again on our way for the balance 15kms to Fernvale. Once we hit Fernvale I promptly ordered three bottles of water, a can of coke and took Aidens lead and demolished a ham & salad roll from the bakery.
The 15 minute rest was great and the body felt like it settled down. I decided the next goal was to get to Ipswich and probably bail and get a train home. The 25 kms to Ipswich felt of although after 15kms the legs were feeling rubbish so a train home it was…..A bit disappointed……(I think I need some more cement on my weet-bix in the morning!) The legs were rooted so Sunday’s team ride was unfortunately a pipe-dream.
Despite what I thought, I clearly had not prepared well enough for the ride. I would have thought that I could have got to Fernvale relatively easily with the tucker I had on board and re-stocked at the bakery for the home stretch. I’d be keen to hear how others prepare for longer rides and in particular what people take in the way of nutrition and hydration. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated as I certainly don’t want this happening again!
Hope the Sunday ride was enjoyable!
3 comments:
Well Damo I thought I was reading a story I wrote myself after the Sunday ride. My legs didn't get to the point of meltdown but without the help of the group and Chewie in particular (thanks for the draft and push mate) I would have been in some trouble. I will be upping my salt intake from now on and looking at getting some of Mr Bonners' magic Nuun tablets. Aiden gave me a tablet (which I expect was a Nuun or Shotz) and that defintely did help. Adam and I eventually made it to Ferny Grove station only to find track work on that line and had to get the slow bus to the city. Finally got home at 1:30pm with sore legs, tired body and 140Km on the clock. That climb up the Caboolture side of Mt Mee was tough, I walked it three different times and the last stint I walked for 1.2Km uphill all the way - my cleats were worn away. The worst bit was climbing out of Samford - the legs starting cramping all over so I stopped. The right hammie cramped getting off the bike and the left thigh muscle went in sympathy, so I was just standing there with my bike next to the Armco railing unable to move, with two lanes of cars going past - must have looked quite a sight. Anyway, made it back alive and although the legs are a little stiff today they are way better than I expected. Well done to all the other lads on the ride, that was some good climbing. With all my broken training over the past few months I can only remember how much fun that big climb would have once been for me. Only thing is to do some more miles and harden up I suppose.
Cheers,
Mick
Seems I missed some solid antics on the weekend....
a Honorable mention to Adam for needing to catch the train two days in a row!
I have emailed bocky nutrition tips so for anyone that wants them let me know.
Cheers
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