Fueling up for those long rides

 

One of the questions Scott has been frequently asked is how he is fueling for the long rides.   One thing he learned quickly is failure to fuel and hydrate dramatically affects the day's long ride, but moreover affects how well he feels for day two and day three and day four rides!  Lately Scott has been putting in up to 300 miles a week in cycling while also doing many other activities to get ready for our departure.  As we considered how he was going to fuel we also had to consider what we can get on the road, as we won't always be near a bike store nor a fed ex location, and USPS doesn't deliver to a moving camper.   We are also trying to stay on a budget as this ride is self- supporting with all funds raised going to the two 501(c)(3) charities we are supporting: zero prostate cancer and schizophrenia & psychosis action alliance.   

The answer to Scott's fueling needs that also met our unique delivery constraints as well as our budget was learning of the endurance app called "Saturday" developed by Dr Alex Harrison and his team.    https://www.saturdaymorning.fit   To quote Dr. Harrison "Saturday is a nutrition coach in your pocket.  Our goal is to deliver nutrition & hydration support for anyone's next 'big thing,' whether it's first time 5k, a marathon, an ultra-distance triathlon, or a bike around the world."   

We are grateful for Dr Harrison and this excellent app as it is making fueling a whole lot easier.  This is how it works: Prior to his ride Scott types into the app the length of the ride, the pace he expects (i.e. race versus recreational,) the amount of time he will be at it and the app tells him what to mix up.  Scott then mixes up the sugar (carbs), salt (electrolytes), and water for the ride.  He flavors with his choice - lately we have been using crystal light pink lemonade.   This mixture is 1)  easy to get as sugar, salt ,and flavoring are available at just about any grocery store 2) budget friendly and the best yet 3) it works!  Scott has done the last couple of months of rides using this app and found it to work very well.   He is properly fueled and hydrated and his increasing mileage has been successful. 

Besides fueling during the rides, he also makes sure he has some carbs 2-3 hours before, (usually oatmeal with peanut butter,) and a good recovery drink filled with protein and carbs within 20 minutes after his ride.   So far so good!   

The countdown is well under way for departure - it's less than a month away! Thank you for reading and please spread the word about www.milesformoney.org  and Scott's cycle efforts to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer and schizophrenia.