My first ride, some questions =]

[AlexInWonderland]

So i got my new bike on tuesday evening, had to walk the 3-4 miles to halfords since my dads car was broken, yet again lol. Its a Carrera Gryphone V spec. Not the best i know, but i couldnt afford anything better.
today i went for my first proper ride on it of 26miles, averaging 15mph, riding time of one hour 35, out for about 2 hours. I know this isnt great but its a start
Anyways i was wondering what i should take to eat and drink? I drank about half a liter of water overall and ate 2 twirls but when i got home i was a bit exhausted, and wondered if it might be a good idea to add some sugar to my water or anything?

Also, what tools would you recommend i take for rides of this length? i had allan keys and a bike spanner, innertube and pump. Anything else i should take?

 

[Radius]

I'd take things to eat during the ride as well. Personally I use Cadbury's 'Brunch Bars', since they have rice crispies, oats, dried fruit, honey, and chocolate, catering for a fairly wide range of areas in terms of energy. When I get back I often have some salami or something for protein, and sugar stuff, Coke, or a milkshake or something. Eating during a long ride is essential, I found out the hard way on my first ton.

EDIT: And yes, I use squash rather than water, a summer fruits thing, which has a fairly high sugar content. More interesting to drink as well. Will1984 uses a suspicious white substance in his drink, pours it in and shakes it virilently. Not sure what it is...!

 

[yello]

Tyre levers. Not to eat obviously.

Flapjack is good to take for eating - or get one at a shop along the way. Bananas too.

Drinking - squash, or just water. You can add sugar and a pinch of salt for a home made sports drink (google it if you're interested in the exact quantities) but that's your call. Main thing is to be out on the bike!

You can experiment and find your own preferences for eating/drinking as you get the miles in. Take some cash and you can always buy bits on route.

 

[byegad]

Water is essential on a longer ride, I like to sip every 15 to 20 minutes. Food is needed if you are to avoid the bonk. You will learn what works for you as time goes by but a good start is a cereal bar of some kind for every couple of hours ride. You shouldn't need to eat them on most rides but bonk is danerous and if it hits having some food is the only way to keep going.

 

[TVC]

Welcome Alex,

A good alternative to water in the bottle is 1/3 unsweetened orange juice to 2/3 water, plus a tiny pinch of sea salt. Much cheaper than buying sports mixes (free in fact if your family has some in the fridge).

Doing 26 miles at 15mph certainly is not a bad start, be sure to register your rides at cyclogs.
http://www.cyclogs.org/default.aspx?ReturnUrl=/home.aspx

 

[Radius]

Yeah, and on the plus side, it tastes like absolute sh*t!

 

[AlexInWonderland]

Welcome Alex,

A good alternative to water in the bottle is 1/3 unsweetened orange juice to 2/3 water, plus a tiny pinch of sea salt. Much cheaper than buying sports mixes (free in fact if your family has some in the fridge).

Doing 26 miles at 15mph certainly is not a bad start, be sure to register your rides at cyclogs.
http://www.cyclogs.org/default.aspx?ReturnUrl=/home.aspx

Aha thanks for the cylogs, i was thinking of writing it all down but i would definatly lose it lol. Im not even able to keep track of revision for my upcoming GCSE's....so yeah this looks much better

The juice idea seems quite simple, i suppose its just down to experimentation.

 

[buggi]

as for tools

on the road you need

1. multitool (allan keys)
2. Set of tyre levers
3. inner tube (or 2)
4. Pump (make sure it is good enough to pump your tyres up to the right pressure, road bike tyres take a lot of pressure and your standard pump won't do it) or try one of these http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/inno...uses-only-innovations-brand-co2/prod_565.html it will pump your tyres up in 2 seconds flat and saves faffing about on the side of the road. i only take this and two spare cartridges, i don't bother with a pump.
pair of latex gloves (for chain falling off problems so you don't get oil all over your hands)
5. mobile phone... so you can phone for a lift in the case of anything more technical to fix than a flat or chain derailment.

ps. if you use CO2 tyre inflater to fix a flat out on the road, when you get home, deflate the tyre and fill with Air from stand up pump, as CO2 is thinner than air and leaks out more, so your tyre will be flat again within 2 days.

have a stand up type pump at home to pump your tyres up to the correct pressure. Road bike tyres need checking at least once a week. The correct pressure will be written on the wall/side of the tyre. different makes of tyre have different pressures.

 

[AlexInWonderland]

Wont the co2 cartridges need replacing each time they are used?
i suppose that wont be a big problem if i dont have flats when out often

My dad wanted his road bike tyres pumping up the other day and asked me to do it. We have a standyuppy pump with pressure gauge. I could barely get them past 70, let alone the 120 needed

 

[Radius]

Wont the co2 cartridges need replacing each time they are used?
i suppose that wont be a big problem if i dont have flats when out often

Yes, but yes.

My dad wanted his road bike tyres pumping up the other day and asked me to do it. We have a standyuppy pump with pressure gauge. I could barely get them past 70, let alone the 120 needed

Hehe. The gym beckons as well as the hills, clearly

 

[AlexInWonderland]

Yeah it seems so lol....in the end i made him do it....35 years older must mean 35times as stroong

 

[Rip Van]

Might be the pump! I got a really cheap plastic track pump a few years ago (Halfords?), it's still going strong and I can get it to 140psi without a problem. Mind you, I'm quite old . I have heard stories of cheap track pumps falling apart/not getting to desired pressure though.

 

[Tel]

Will1984 uses a suspicious white substance in his drink, pours it in and shakes it virulently. Not sure what it is...!

Could it be Creatine? Its a sports supplement that many swear by. I used to use Lucozade powder in my water bottle.

 

[Aperitif]

Could it be Creatine? Its a sports supplement that many swear by. I used to use Lucozade powder in my water bottle.

Probably PSP or GO Electrolyte etc... tastes nice, particularly the lemon & lime one. Quite pricey though. A bigger Tescos sells sachets of GO if you fancy trying it (obviously your LBS too) - search online for better price if it becomes your drink of choice. (Publish result of 'best price' search in the "Found a Bargain" thread )