I've been using these weekend century rides to dial in my nutrition. Fueling and hydrating is a delicate balance, a half of a gallon of water in either direction can end a ride with painful, possibly emergency room conditions. During the 24 Hour Bike Sebring event last year, I got a bit dehydrated in the first 100 miles and then I reacted by over hydrating in the second 100 miles. At the 200 mile mark, my belly was bloated and painful, and I was still thirsty. I didn't recognize it at the time, but I was probably hyponatremic. I crawled into my truck and slept, with frequent trips to the bathroom. I also had some gastro-intenstinal distress, which I think may have been too much simple sugar from Gatorade. So, this weekend, I went out with plain Water in my camelback (which was under my Jacket) and two bottles of Perpetuem on my bike. Perpetuem has an electrolyte profile, so I am hoping that will replace gatorade. Unfortunately, the bottles froze up before I had gotten halfway through the first. And when I say Froze up, I mean solid. I was able to defrost them in the Microwave at the High's Convenience store at the 25 mile mark.
The problem came up at the end of the ride, when I ran out of cash and gatorade, and was left with drinking plain water. After the ride, I hydrated with water, and AGAIN, got myself into a hyponatremic condition. I spent the night, nauseaus and vomiting. I only have two weekends left to get this right before the event.
"Weekend Century"
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