Hammer Nutrition Century Bike Riding Tips

I use a lot of Hammer Nutrition products. I'm on their mailing list and get a variety of training and racing tips sent to me from time-to-time. Their latest email newsletter includes a link to an article on training for a century (100 mile) bike ride.

The article is titled Century Riding; Cycling 100 Miles in One Day on 100 Hours of Training, and was written by Chris Kostman. Here is a link to the article: http://www.hammernutrition.com/downloads/ENews/ENissue69/?page=62

Century Ride Article Highlights

• Improve base fitness
• Get used to long hours in the saddle
• Develop your ability to ride faster
• Prepare for the terrain of your specific century ride
• Dial in your bike and how you fit to it
• Find out which foods and drink work for you on the bike

El Tour de Tucson

My husband and I are getting ready to start training for El Tour de Tucson, which takes place in Tucson, Arizona on November 20. We will be training with the Palm Beach Team in Training cycle team, to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Many of the team members have never completed a century ride before, so I wanted to share the century riding tips, found in the Hammer Nutrition article, with them.

El Tour de Tucson will be the 5th century ride my husband and I have participated in with Team in Training. My husband has the honor of being the coach for this years Tucson cycling team - cool beans! Each team member has pledged to raise a minimum of $3,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, while training for the 109 mile road bike ride. Here is a link to our fundraising page: pages.teamintraining.org/pb/tucson10/lsmythe

Bike Diva Utilizes Hammer Nutrition Products

Hammer gel - available in 9 flavors. I like using the apple cinnamon flavor in my gel flask. I have a velcro gel flask holder which I can attach to either my road bike, or my triathlon bike. The gel flask is much easier to use, then trying to get an individual gel pack out of your jersey or bike bag, and having to tear open the gel pack, then figuring out what to do with the empty gel pack.

Endurolytes - electrolyte capsules. Helps prevent cramping, especially during long training rides or races and while training and racing in hot weather. I live in SE Florida, endurolytes are a key component of my race day strategy.

Heed - electrolyte drink powder. I fill my two water bottles with Heed and use it during training rides and longer races. Available in mandarin, strawberry, melon or lemon-lime.

Recoverite - post workout recovery drink. After intense training sessions, and after all my races, I try to drink a serving of Recoverite within 20 minutes of finishing my workout or race.

Tissue Rejuvenator - I have osteoarthritis, this product helps with joint pain relief and tissue health.

• Reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling.
• Increase joint integrity and mobility.
• Allow decreased NSAID use.

Chromemate -

• Enhance glycogen synthesis for superior recovery.
• May improve cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels.
• Helps curb sugar cravings.

Do you have any century ride training tips you would like to share? Do you have a specific fueling and hydration method that works well for you on long rides? Share your thoughts and tips by commenting to this blog posts.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

Comments

[Fred Deutsch]

Thanks for the info on the Hammer products. I went to the website and bought some. Hope you get a kick-back!

[Lynn Smythe]

Hey Fred,

Cool beans! When I first started riding all I did was water and couldn't figure out why I could only ride 20 miles before passing out. Now I always have 2 water bottles with some sort of electrolyte solution and a few gel packs with me when I ride. What a difference!

Take care,
Lynn

[Aimee Wilson]

Lynn,

I found you from Twittermoms. I was wondering what might be needed to do a century ride. Your post on Hammer products gives me a great starting point. Thanks!

Savor life's best,
Aimee