Riding in the heat.... think: The Traverse

[ThinkFast]

Although it doesn't help with the heat, I'll probably take a couple Advil at 4 corners. Afterall, it is the PAIN Divide.

[Wrecker]

Sport Legs is sold at Performance, online, and at a few other spots. Check out: http://www.sportlegs.com/about/welcome.asp
As far as I can tell, the active ingredients are Calcium and Magnesium, like in Tums.

Hammer products are also at a few stores, I know that Sand Canyon Cyclery (on Sand Canyon, in Irvine) has the Endurance stuff (Perpetuem, Sustained Energy), Heed, and a few others. Ask Jim about his take on the taste (hahah), but he'll tell you that it does have a reputation for working great.

A few additional notes:

NEVER try something new on race day; I'd go as far as to say on any day in which you are participating in extreme exertion (such as hot days)

A study on Cyclist (actual cyclists), published in some medical journal that I'd have to look up again to tell you, showed that your cardiac output is reduced during extreme heat; i.e., your heart rate is increased for a reason, your body is working hard (duh).

The best way to reduce heat stroke/exhaustion, per another study done on enlisted men/women, is to gradually acclimate yourself to it. Hydration is good, but there have been more cases of hydrated heat stroke victims due to all the press about hydrating. Current thought is that being well hydrated may actually mask some of the early symptoms of heat stroke (a deadly condition if left untreated). So, don't ignore signs, even if you're staying hydrated, cool down!

Another side note to the article: caffeine is a diuretic (it makes you pee more and lose more sodium/water)

[maxwell]

Originally Posted by m210

i've got some perpetuem, but i have a hard time getting it down.. its very chalky, and has very little flavor... i know it works though but it makes me crave more water to wash it down.

I actually mix the Lime Heed and Orange Perpetuem together. For a regulare size water bottle I'll use 2 scoops of heed w/ 1 scoop perpetuem. For a 100 oz. bladder I'll use 4 heed to 3 perpetuem. It seems to work great for me.
I do the same for Lacey for all of her races, just not the same ammount, since she doesn't have my body mase.
Monique Sawicki recomended to us that Lacey run her bladder with the nutritional drink in it, and water in her bottle. That way she is getting constant nutrition, instead of just sips, as you get from carrying it in your water bottle.

I thought the Sportlegs were more for fighting off the lactic acid. They supposedly fool your body into thing you already have it going on, so it doesn't produce as much. I've heard a lot of people really like them. I haven't tried them, so I can't say either way.

The Path carries most of the Hammer products, along with Cytomax, Cliff, and Crank Sports E-Fuels.

[Wrecker]

I've heard of magical Hammer elixers, but hadn't dared to try the chemistry myself. I love the Hammer gel, unlike some, only because I don't get that dumping feeling, like when the Gu wears off (and the apple cinnamon tastes like apple pie filling, while the rasberry is just like the filling of a rasberry donut).

[m210]

yes i tried mixing too, but it ended up making the perpetuem curdle and not mix up.
nothing like a good chewy energy bev when you're good and thirsty!

[tbowren]

Shinken,
Be carefull with those. I have used them quite a bit and I always notice a higher heartrate, less pain in the legs, and cramping after 2 or 3 hours if I don't keep taking them every 2 hours or so. I tried them for VQ and took 10 minutes off my best time to maple springs, then suffered the consequences to the top of saddleback.
(I didn't take any more at that time because my heart rate was already so high I didn't want to push it)

I took them recently on a training ride up to saddleback and on the way down started cramping. (Once again I didn't think I would need them for the ride DOWN so I didnt take any more)

Another person on Geoladders said he hurt his legs because that stuff was allowing him to push harder than normal and he had to take a break from riding for a while.

I think they are great for a weekly FAST ride but not so great for long grinding endurance rides in the heat.

just my $.02

[Pain Freak]

Long distance....Nothing has worked as well for me as Perpetuem and Hammer Gel. Depending on the length of the ride/race will detiremen how I will mix it. Remember your body can only assimilate about 280 calories per hour, so there is really no reason to take in more then that. You will be expending in excess of 700 with a high workout rate or at race level. I find hammer gel to give me a boost, but you have to remember to hit the flask about every 30 to 45 minutes, and this is only about 90 or so calories per gulp. Always chase both the products with water and the effect is much more beneficial. If you find the taste unappealing you can mix one of the different flavors of the Hammer Gel in with the Perpetuem, but I have no problem with the taste and prefer to keep them seperate. I've been watching and reading a lot about the pro's in the triathalon races and by far and away the Hammer products come highly recommended.

When I do a double century one bottle of Perpetuem will last me the whole day. I'll mix it to contain about 3000 calories.