FNRttC - nutrition advice please

[TheBoyBilly]

I am signed up for the September Martlets ride to Brighton and would like some advice on what and how to refuel 'on the go'. I have read with interest about the 3 main hills on the route and noticed that some folk take a breather at the bottom of the Beacon, for example, to take on fluids and maybe a gel or bar. Is this enough time for the foods to take effect or should I be looking at taking fuel say, 30 minutes or so before the start of a major climb?
Should I eat a hearty meal in the evening before the ride or just a light snack.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[martint235]

You're going to get more answers than you can shake a pointy stick at. It's a personal thing I think and depends how you normally ride.

Usually for a 50 mile ride I'll just take a couple of bottles of water. However as I usually ride back from Brighton, I'll have a big pasta meal early evening (just had one for the Newhaven ride tonight as it happens). I find this gives me enough fuel to get to breakfast with maybe a sandwich at the half way stop. Then I've got a packet of fig rolls for the ride home which I never eat until its too late but they get me going again.

I don't know much about gels and bars but I'd assume you've got to give them some time to digest and enter your system.

 

[marinyork]

Don't worry. Enjoy it. I would eat food a village or two before the Beacon.

I tend to eat as much food the day before as I find the more long rides I do the harder and harder it becomes to actually force yourself to eat on the day.

 

[User10571]

You're going to get more answers than you can shake a pointy stick at. It's a personal thing I think and depends how you normally ride.

Usually for a 50 mile ride I'll just take a couple of bottles of water. However as I usually ride back from Brighton, I'll have a big pasta meal early evening (just had one for the Newhaven ride tonight as it happens). I find this gives me enough fuel to get to breakfast with maybe a sandwich at the half way stop. Then I've got a packet of fig rolls for the ride home which I never eat until its too late but they get me going again.

I don't know much about gels and bars but I'd assume you've got to give them some time to digest and enter your system.

+1 to Martin's second sentence.

It is very much a personal thing.

I'm not going to tell you what works for me.
What I do suggest is that you embark on a few rides of significant mileage beforehand - they needn't be London to Brighton to find out what works for you nutritionally. Worth a million times more than reading what works for other folk.
Try to include some overnight in your mileage, as your digestive system (presumably) isn't accustomed to being fed in the wee small hours.

Oh, and remember. Nothing new on race day.

EDIT: "I'm not going to tell you what works for me"
Mainly because I have done this in the past and my 'regime' doesn't necessarily suit that of other individuals.
Dip into the advice offered, but do check that it works for you before The Big Day. You'll enjoy the ride more

 

[martint235]

+1 to Martin's second sentence.

It is very much a personal thing.

I'm not going to tell you what works for me.
What I do suggest is that you embark on a few rides of significant mileage beforehand - they needn't be London to Brighton to find out what works for you nutritionally. Worth a million times more than reading what works for other folk.
Try to include some overnight in your mileage, as your digestive system (presumably) isn't accustomed to being fed in the wee small hours.

Oh, and remember. Nothing new on race day.

Wish I'd said that.....

 

[dellzeqq]

it's not going to be a tough ride. Don't worry about the hills. Just set out to enjoy yourself and make a friend or two.

The refreshments at Copthorne are in the price of the ride (I hope those Moonriders are reading this) and I'd have thought a bottle of some kind of drink wold be sufficient - you can always re-fill with water at Copthorne if you've run out. Pack a couple of energy bars for luck. If you really want to do the best you can on Ditchling, then I'd take ten minutes in Ditchling village, and have a chat with the marshal, who will have been there since 3.45, and could probably do with company.

As for the evening before - some people find that getting a couple of hours sleep helps (I'm just going upstairs for a nap prior to the Newhaven run) and I generally eat a pasta meal early in the evening.

But, to re-iterate. Go through the blog, ask any questions that come to mind, but, most importantly, treat it as a night out. Nobody's got a stopwatch on you. Concentrate on staying safe and chatting to people.

 

[ttcycle]

Now I'm not the best person to advise on Ditchling as I'd not made it that far- this isn't down to the pace or intensity of the ride but more my being ill for the week beforehand and not getting enough rest.

The FNRttC's have frequent stops on the none Martlett rides - this gives you time to extract some solid food from your bag and have a feed. The pace will be sociable so I'm certain you won't need to eat on the go. There will be chances to rest and eat at the rest stops/cafes.

I do eat a nice large carbohydrate heavy meal in the evening and take plenty of snacky food but that's cause I'm of the greedy disposition!

Gels give you instant energy- taste weird but do try them beforehand as you might not tolerate them.

Fundamentally User10571 and Simon have put up some good advice.
Have fun and figure out what works for you in advance.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Thanks for the replies folks. I have to get some rides in during the next month or so to se how my fitness is going. I drove back from Ashford to Shoreham the other day and decided on a detour to recce some of the southern half (Reigate onwards) of the ride using the Martlets Blog route guide, which I tried to commit to memory (actually it was from the bottom of Vicarage Road A23)
My observations: Turners Hill looked to be a real long drag but the decent into Lindfield should be nice on the night. Slugwash Lane in the dark? Eek! Still taking my time and following a long line of rear lights should see me safely to Wivelsfield Green. Then the Beacon - I'm not sure I will manage this first time on a long ride but I will try my best. The tips about setting little targets seem sound but the ramps to the old horse & cart resting places look ready to catch folk out.
I am going to try to have one practice run of the Beacon before the event but that won't be with 40-odd miles under my legs. I shall do it on the way home from work after riding from Hassocks station. Looking forward to the 2nd September whatever my performance. It seems that enjoyment is the essence of the ride so I will make that my aim, and to make new acquaintances. Hope to meet you either at Semley Place or en route.

Thanks again.

Bill

 

[Shadow]

My observations: Turners Hill looked to be a real long drag but the decent into Lindfield should be nice on the night. Slugwash Lane in the dark? Eek! Still taking my time and following a long line of rear lights should see me safely to Wivelsfield Green. Then the Beacon - I'm not sure I will manage this first time on a long ride but I will try my best. The tips about setting little targets seem sound but the ramps to the old horse & cart resting places look ready to catch folk out.

Don't worry about the hills either. Do you ever go up the Coombes Road towards Steyning from the Sussex Pad? There are a few inclines that are not as hard as anything on the martlets ride but they are useful for training if you are not used to ascending. If you would like, we could meet up sometime and try them?

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Thanks for the offer Shadow, and a good heads up to Coombes. I am pretty tied up with work during August so will have to get as much riding in at odd hours of the day (even night, appropriately) but will certainly let you know when I am about later in the year.

Cheers mate,

Bill

 

[Shadow]

Thanks for the offer Shadow, and a good heads up to Coombes.

And when you find that too easy, turn left at end of Coombes Rroad and turn left up Bostal Road; if you get to to the top, DB will be a breeze!!!

 

[Riding in Circles]

Lard!

 

[TheBoyBilly]

And when you find that too easy, turn left at end of Coombes Rroad and turn left up Bostal Road; if you get to to the top, DB will be a breeze!!!

Heh Heh, I was going to mention that hill (Bostal Rd) but couldn't think of it's name. Now there's a challenge

 

[Shadow]

Heh Heh, I was going to mention that hill (Bostal Rd) but couldn't think of it's name. Now there's a challenge

Made it the first time today!

I think its harder than Ditchling, Devils Dyke and Duncton (another local one I find quite challenging!).