[bing!]

And my body exploded into cramps. Still had a fun time. I'm bringing Gatorade next time

The times wouldve been faster if the boys didnt bring me with them

 

[saxen]

if you are getting cramps you simply need to drink more- i would try a bottle of water or two before your ride even starts than just stay on it- cramps suck- esp the leg ones!

i love riding with more experiance- its always a challenge but its so worth it in the end! good work!

 

[aintnothang]

what app is that?

 

[nachomc]

Not gatorade - use something else like cytomax. Gatorade is a sugar bomb.

 

[Sid Nitzerglobin]

Cramps almost always indicate a hydration issue for me. Drinking enough water ever day and during your ride should take care of most of those issues.

About a tablespoon of Gatorade per 22oz bottle seems to work pretty good for me on the electrolyte/carb drink front, but I haven't really tried many other options. I'd agree full strength is way too sugary regardless of the flavor.

Look like it was a really cool ride.

 

[joshinga]

I learned when I started racing sum 15 years ago the hotter i got the more like syrup Gatorade and for that matter all sugary sport drinks ( there weren't that many around back then) got. so me and the guys I rode with would cut Gatorade at least 1:2 with water. It was kinda gross till we got going good then it tasted normal.

 

[ianblaster]

I agree with Sid. Gotta drink enough water everyday. If you are not all about drinking water daily, at least start hydrating yourself a couple days out before your ride. That should solve your cramping.

 

[trdspectacoma]

On my first long ride I just packed some mcdonalds ketchup in my pack(dont ask but it helps with the muscle cramps kind of like a bannana) and in my water bottle just kept some smart water once that is done make a bottle of Gatorade with the packets and my water from the camelback.

That looks like a pretty hard ride good job

 

[bing!]

I was drinking a lot. A whole camelbak mule in 3 hours. I think Ill start spiking my water with electrolyte drinks. Cytomax sounds good.

 

[Berkeley Mike]

Just riding along is one thing but stretching those skills to do the ride you did takes your body to a whole different place. 200 feet per mile will keep you honest that's for sure.

Start testing a few different electrolyte drinks on your more casual rides to see how they taste and how your stomach reacts. Do not test them for the first time on hard rides. You may end up cramping and blowing chow at the same time. Not a pretty sight.

You really burned some matches today. Congratulations!

 

[bing!]

what app is that?

Its Droid "My Tracks". Freeware. Pretty good. Needs a momentary mobile connection to download maps. My phone is able to see satellites from a zippered chest pocket.

 

[Jeff in Bend]

I use NUUN tablets. You need to be fully hydrated before you start, no matter how much you drink during a hard ride you most likely will not be able to keep up. In real simple terms your body will always maintain a sodium to water balance, not enough you won't absorb the water you drink, to much you retain it.

 

[Blksocks]

Why doesn't anyone drink water anymore? Don't drink any of that sugar infested nonsense. Also try to stretch before rides. But remember, it's just the beginning and your body will get to it within a month or two. Glad you had fun!

 

[mimi1885]

Bing, is that right? only 4% Max grade on the climb? first pic already looks like 16-18%. Got caught having too much fun eh?

 

[bing!]

Bing, is that right? only 4% Max grade on the climb? first pic already looks like 16-18%. Got caught having too much fun eh?

software is quirky. i only really look at th e miles and elapsed time.

 

[mimi1885]

software is quirky. i only really look at th e miles and elapsed time.

Yeah, I've tried a few iPhone apps they don't really work as well as the garmin edge, but offer pretty cool maps, locations and other features.

 

[kestrel242]

Why doesn't anyone drink water anymore? Don't drink any of that sugar infested nonsense. Also try to stretch before rides. But remember, it's just the beginning and your body will get to it within a month or two. Glad you had fun!

Water is fine for shorter rides, but on longer, more intense rides you don't want to continuously dilute your body chemistry across the board.

 

[Huncowboy]

Some of you guys are so lucky to live at great biking places. I bet that was a great workout and a lot of fun.

 

[tyler243]

Bing, is that right? only 4% Max grade on the climb? first pic already looks like 16-18%. Got caught having too much fun eh?

It is actually possible that you were right there. The app tracks whether you are going down the grade or up, thus the max/min grade. :thumbsup:

 

[Sheepo5669]

If you are regularly exercising as hard as most of us here are, you really need to shoot for drinking about a gallon of water a day.

Cramps can be caused by dehydration, low blood salt, or low potassium.

Theres nothing wrong with a sugar laden Gatorade during a ride.(unless your goal is ultimate fat loss) It is fluids that has salt so it would help with causes 1 and 2.
But i would prob mix it with water.

A banana before your ride will help with cramps too and solve cause # 3


Sheepo