Tell us about your weekend ride

I like to make my own version of clif bars as I can't really afford them*.
They (cliff) are good though.
So are the shot blox (used to be my running munch of choice).

*Oats, Peanut butter (no sugar, no salt, [no oil]), Tahini, Dates, Nuts, Protein Powder.

Why use Nuun + food if you're in need of carbs? I find drinking a CHO beverage is the easiest way to stay fueled.

I used to run with two water bottles in my belt. One with carbs, and one without. I did this cycling for ages. But then I read somewhere that you should drink to hydrate and eat to fuel. Really cant remember where now.

I have a Mammoth bag of carb powder (I used to make carb/protein drinks for all day rugby events) in my suppliments cupboard. Tempted to add some now.

I tend to use something like powershots for constant fuel. Then something like a clif bar as a treat each hour.

"drink to hydrate and eat to fuel" sounds like personal trainer psuedoscience bollocks. The RAAM guys don't seem to have any trouble fueling on liquids. Most of my race fuel is liquid but it's always a personal thing in the end - whatever works for you. It just seems silly to me not to use the water you were already carry as a fuel source. I mean, what would the weight weenies think?? ;)

"drink to hydrate and eat to fuel" sounds like personal trainer psuedoscience bollocks. The RAAM guys don't seem to have any trouble fueling on liquids. Most of my race fuel is liquid but it's always a personal thing in the end - whatever works for you. It just seems silly to me not to use the water you were already carry as a fuel source. I mean, what would the weight weenies think?? ;)

Its a fair point.

I'll need solid food anyway. I'm not riding a fecking kilometer unless can stuff my face With oaty, sugary, crap. But cutting Down on gels/sweets could be good.

"It just seems silly to me not to use the water you were already carry as a fuel source. I mean, what would the weight weenies think?? "
this ^^ stay light and fast, cant believe the quantities going on up there??
get knarlier, for some reason I admire the veteran stringbeans you see banging out major distance whether by foot bike or whatever.

It was an >8000 calorie ride.

My ride on Sunday was 5,500 calories. I had a ploughman's sandwich from a Costcutter, a piece of my mum's Christmas cake and a banana. It was ace.

I might eat more srs food if I rode in a more srs fashion though.

Reiterating: I have fairly specific needs for racing and I train with those in mind. I wouldn't recommend anyone eat the stuff that I eat unless it works well for 'em.

I don't think it's harmful or anything but it can be a bloody expensive way of getting calories in and a bit sad when you have the option of stopping at cafes for cake and stuff.

Mmmm cake...

My ride on Sunday was 5,500 calories. I

That seems kinda high given your size compared to me.
Is it from a HRM or power meter or estimated?

HRM. It was pretty hilly. and took a very long time.

a piece of my mum's Christmas cake

more srs food

There is no more serious food than homemade Christmas cake. It's such a vital* piece of on-the-bike** nutrition that I had my mum mail a whole one from the UK to Japan again this year.

*Delicious

**I scarfed it all before even getting on my bike.

Lovely Surrey ride with Simon aka OneLessCardigan today. Windy but sunny bib shorts weather! Recovery richmond laps tomorrow. Simon is good at hills; I am not ; )

http://www.strava.com/activities/124889426

Simon was also cheating by using gears, I think?

Also, missing out Whitedown?

I know I'm a bit more eager than most to get some flesh out, but what was with everybody in long-sleever jerseys and full-leg tights today? I was summer socks, bare arms and legs and loving it.

^Yeah this, so many layers on at HH today. Was too warm with a vest baselayer on, but so many in legwarmers/ls jerseys

I took knee warmers; with summer kit; clearly a mistake. I saw a gabba today .. a freakin gabba!

I only had my full length bibs today :(. Rookie packing decision.
At least short sleeve top though.
Honestly, I have no idea where all the riders were though, I had the cotswolds to myself.

Maybe no one likes me.

Short sleeves and shorts for me and I've got TAN LINES. Faint but definitely there. Quite pleased, I am rubbish at tans and I was only out for a couple of hours.

^ Still have tan lines from last year :)

I only had my full length bibs

When did you last wash them ... ?

;)

Every week.

Also- the very few riders I saw were SO grumpy.
I couldn't understand.

Except 1 triathlete looking one, who loved the bike.

^ Still have tan lines from last year :)

I've still got ones from the year before! They're my reference tan-lines, so I know how low my bibs and how high my socks should sit :/

Today was my first legitimate weekend ride in ages. A nice countryside pootle makes a change from mid-week two-hour blasts (I even stopped to take a photo! and again to enjoy the view!). 3 hours, 55 miles. Edenbridge, beyond and back with a few lumps reminding myself how it all fits together. One bottle wasn't enough but it lasted. No food (rarely eat on the bike, don't really ride far enough to need it).
Smashing some big porky rolls in my face now though.

what a lovely day for a ride!

Yeah, I should be out on the bike instead of stuck here applying for jobs (and dipping into lfgss from time to time). :-(

Too many people in long sleeves today, it only took sticking your arm out the window this morning to work out you didn't need the roubaixs on (saw more than one!)

Left later than planned but really needed a lie-in this morning, which definitely helped as it felt like headwinds all the way. 40mile loop up to Toys Hill and back, I'm definitely starting to get a bit faster on hills now, which is the plan! Nothing major to report apart from a gel exploding in my hand, so apologies to anyone who I nodded maniacally at whilst licking gloop off my arms. Really enjoying this route, think it's going to become my regular one

http://www.strava.com/activities/124924484

102 miles done all in a roubaix jersey with the sleeves rolled up, and the zip occasionally a little lowered.

http://www.strava.com/activities/124907539

Was very close to running out of energy at about 75 miles but I'd bought a can of coke when we stopped for some cake and managed to drink it while riding and it was all plain sailng from there!