Mountain Bike Enduro

[FatTony]

I'm doing my first proper event on the 14th June, a 74k enduro event in the Cambrians.

Anyone done one before? I'm a little concerned as I have a Marin Rocky Ridge bike which is a cross between a hardcore thrasher and a xc, so the geometry and front suspension is not ideally suited and I suffer back pain when on the bike for a few hours.

Is there anything anyone can recommend (items or advice), such as tyres, tyre pressures and any other bits I can buy relatively cheaply.

So far I'm thinking a suspension seat post, a couple more water cages to go with my camelbak and pain killers....

[Tee]

Energy drink and nutrition will be very important - ideally something like Science in Sport (SIS) PSP Energy which will replace electrolytes during the event. Also consider some kind of energy bar to nibble as well.

[FatTony]

Energy drink and nutrition will be very important - ideally something like Science in Sport (SIS) PSP Energy which will replace electrolytes during the event. Also consider some kind of energy bar to nibble as well.

I'll have a look for some of the SIS, I was just going to drink water which I suppose will only be so good for a bit.

[rudedog]

thats a nice bike - what kind of terrain is the race over?

you'll definately need some energy foods otherwise you'll ending up bonking.

[Neil Young]

I'll have a look for some of the SIS, I was just going to drink water which I suppose will only be so good for a bit.

I'm doing a sportive on Sunday and these are the main things I'll do:

Hydrate fully before the event - that means drinking a fair amount of water (with or without energy stuff in it) starting a couple of hours before the event. It cuts down on the amount of water you need while riding although you'll still need a fair bit.

Eat a decent breakfast - porridge and fruit for me - a good hour and a half before the ride starts.

Take a bottle of energy/electrolyte drink (I use the SIS stuff, tropical flavour) and a bottle of water. It is really good for your energy levels but I don't think it's great for your teeth. I have the energy drink then a couple of minutes later wash out my mouth with water. I used to have a swig of water immediately afterwards but recent research suggests your brain responds to the taste of glucose by giving you an energy burst so it's probably better to delay cleaning out your mouth for a minute or two.

It might be worth taking a sachet or two of the energy drink so you can mix it with water at the feed stations (assuming they have them). It's probably not essential as they usually tend to have some energy drinks available.

An energy gel or two, especially useful in case of 'bonking' - it gives you a half hour burst of energy when your body starts giving up. Keep one back for emergencies or the last half hour.

I'll take a small packet of Sports Beans which are just handy really. They're just jelly beans with sugar and vitamins.

A couple of bananas - without wanting to open up the whole Potassium Club b*ll*cks, they are good for helping to prevent cramp.

Warm up for 10-15 minutes before the ride and then have a stretch.

You probably already know this but don't put off eating for too long into the ride. Better to have eaten everything (apart from a last energy gel) with an hour to go than not eat enough. Ideally you should not feel hungry at any point and if you do then it's too late (although obviously eat then - better late than never). I try to eat little and often but whenever food comes into my mind I always eat then as it could be a sign I'm starting to crave food.

Hope it goes well.

[Tee]

I'm doing a sportive on Sunday and these are the main things I'll do:

Hydrate fully before the event - that means drinking a fair amount of water (with or without energy stuff in it) starting a couple of hours before the event. It cuts down on the amount of water you need while riding although you'll still need a fair bit.

Eat a decent breakfast - porridge and fruit for me - a good hour and a half before the ride starts.

Take a bottle of energy/electrolyte drink (I use the SIS stuff, tropical flavour) and a bottle of water. It is really good for your energy levels but I don't think it's great for your teeth. I have the energy drink then a couple of minutes later wash out my mouth with water. I used to have a swig of water immediately afterwards but recent research suggests your brain responds to the taste of glucose by giving you an energy burst so it's probably better to delay cleaning out your mouth for a minute or two.

It might be worth taking a sachet or two of the energy drink so you can mix it with water at the feed stations (assuming they have them). It's probably not essential as they usually tend to have some energy drinks available.

An energy gel or two, especially useful in case of 'bonking' - it gives you a half hour burst of energy when your body starts giving up. Keep one back for emergencies or the last half hour.

I'll take a small packet of Sports Beans which are just handy really. They're just jelly beans with sugar and vitamins.

A couple of bananas - without wanting to open up the whole Potassium Club b*ll*cks, they are good for helping to prevent cramp.

Warm up for 10-15 minutes before the ride and then have a stretch.

You probably already know this but don't put off eating for too long into the ride. Better to have eaten everything (apart from a last energy gel) with an hour to go than not eat enough. Ideally you should not feel hungry at any point and if you do then it's too late (although obviously eat then - better late than never). I try to eat little and often but whenever food comes into my mind I always eat then as it could be a sign I'm starting to crave food.

Hope it goes well.

Neil you dark horse. Very good advice you give there, although I thought the SIS drinks have far less sugar than Lucozade so are not too bad for your teeth.

Oh, and Sports Beans

[FatTony]

I'm doing a sportive on Sunday and these are the main things I'll do:

Hydrate fully before the event - that means drinking a fair amount of water (with or without energy stuff in it) starting a couple of hours before the event. It cuts down on the amount of water you need while riding although you'll still need a fair bit.

Eat a decent breakfast - porridge and fruit for me - a good hour and a half before the ride starts.

Take a bottle of energy/electrolyte drink (I use the SIS stuff, tropical flavour) and a bottle of water. It is really good for your energy levels but I don't think it's great for your teeth. I have the energy drink then a couple of minutes later wash out my mouth with water. I used to have a swig of water immediately afterwards but recent research suggests your brain responds to the taste of glucose by giving you an energy burst so it's probably better to delay cleaning out your mouth for a minute or two.

It might be worth taking a sachet or two of the energy drink so you can mix it with water at the feed stations (assuming they have them). It's probably not essential as they usually tend to have some energy drinks available.

An energy gel or two, especially useful in case of 'bonking' - it gives you a half hour burst of energy when your body starts giving up. Keep one back for emergencies or the last half hour.

I'll take a small packet of Sports Beans which are just handy really. They're just jelly beans with sugar and vitamins.

A couple of bananas - without wanting to open up the whole Potassium Club b*ll*cks, they are good for helping to prevent cramp.

Warm up for 10-15 minutes before the ride and then have a stretch.

You probably already know this but don't put off eating for too long into the ride. Better to have eaten everything (apart from a last energy gel) with an hour to go than not eat enough. Ideally you should not feel hungry at any point and if you do then it's too late (although obviously eat then - better late than never). I try to eat little and often but whenever food comes into my mind I always eat then as it could be a sign I'm starting to crave food.

Hope it goes well.

Cheers Neil, plenty of good advice there. I'm going to need to spend a little on the energy stuff by the look of things, deffo getting the SIS and energy gels too.

Do you have any experience with the suspension posts at all? All the reviews for the Cane Creek Thudbuster's are good, too good for my liking, as if they're all sponsored by them.

[Neil Young]

Neil you dark horse. Very good advice you give there, although I thought the SIS drinks have far less sugar than Lucozade so are not too bad for your teeth.

Oh, and Sports Beans

Fair point although I was comparing them to water.

[Neil Young]

Cheers Neil, plenty of good advice there. I'm going to need to spend a little on the energy stuff by the look of things, deffo getting the SIS and energy gels too.

Do you have any experience with the suspension posts at all? All the reviews for the Cane Creek Thudbuster's are good, too good for my liking, as if they're all sponsored by them.

Sorry, not my field. I'm a road man.

[FatTony]

thats a nice bike - what kind of terrain is the race over?

you'll definately need some energy foods otherwise you'll ending up bonking.

Cheers, its a great bike, but I have fears about being in the saddle for a very long time on it. For the odd couple of hours through singletrack its excellent.

The race itself is over the Cambrian mountains so singletrack and fields.

[Neil Young]

Oh yes, I've also been advised to stay off the bike entirely for a week before the event.

Too late for you?

[FatTony]

Oh yes, I've also been advised to stay off the bike entirely for a week before the event.

Too late for you?

Really?

No, not too late. The event is on 14th June.

[redlancer]

could try one of these then you can hydrate on beer :-)

nice bike got the 2008 rocky ridge - brilliant bike
never done 70km in it so no idea re saddles etc. might be better to get good padding for your shorts.

vasaline also might be a good idea aswell

[FatTony]

could try one of these then you can hydrate on beer :-)

nice bike got the 2008 rocky ridge - brilliant bike
never done 70km in it so no idea re saddles etc. might be better to get good padding for your shorts.

vasaline also might be a good idea aswell

good idea!

Mines the 2007, its been excellent.

I think I'll get the seatpost, I have a weakness for gadgets.

[Neil Young]

Really?

No, not too late. The event is on 14th June.

Oh, silly me, I thought it was this weekend. That's me though.

Yes, seriously. It was an instruction from a cycling conditioning coach I know.

Perhaps age plays a part here since it's to do with making sure your legs are in good condition and it obviously takes longer for muscles to repair themselves as you get older (tell me about it ). I haven't ridden since Sunday and my legs are really twitchy (in a good way) to get back pedalling.