commuterDude: Hydration revisit

July 19, 2010

Hydration revisit

Recently, I tried to outline some of the tips for hot weather riding and staying cool - and ultimately safe - when the temperatures are high. After two relatively mild summers, it seems that 2010 is closer to "normal" for the region. It's been hotter, and extremely humid lately. Instead of having you struggle through a horridly written account of how I think you should stay hydrated... and more importantly after my last 217km permanent and the hardships I encountered... I recommend doing some serious research and training in the heat - in moderation - to find out what works best for you.

Short, quick hits: drink enough, but not too much. Thinking back to the end of June and my ride, I started out in the hole - but then I went WAY over the top and started taking in too much. In my efforts to stave off dehydration, I went the other way. Thankfully, I did supplement electrolytes during that "adventure", but I still took in far more than I should have. Reinforcing that is a good, well-written article about hydration that I found on Hammer Nutrition's website.

Disclaimer: I don't work for Hammer Nutrition, but I've been using their stuff for years (when I can afford it), and have a pretty high opinion of their thinking, philosophy, etc. BUT, they are a "company" with employees that are trying to make ends meet. Refreshingly, this article is not terribly "sales-y" in nature. Facts, numbers, advice, and cited references abound - but, yeah, they are going to mention one or two of their products, just like any company will. I still recommend reading it if you are still riding and training in the high heat we've had around here lately.

You can find the article here.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for another 200+ kilometer ride report, coming next week.

Stay cool - ride safe.

No comments:

What is bicycle commuting?

Simply put, bicycle commuting is the act of travelling to a place of work or education by bicycle. In many areas it is common to combine bicycle commuting with public transport. Worldwide, the bicycle remains the most common commuter vehicle, and bicycle riding the second most common form of commuting, second only to walking. While the absolute number of bicycles in existence globally is unknown, it is clear that significantly more bicycles are manufactured than automobiles. In the United States about 40% of automobile trips are two miles or less; using a bicycle for these short trips can reduce your emissions and expenses. If you live within ten miles of work, you could save thousands of dollars in fuel, insurance and automotive maintenance costs each year. This webpage seeks to highlight bicycling as a viable transportation platform and a fun, exciting, healthful way to improve your life! Visit the commuting links below and get started today!

What is Randonneuring?

The French term "randonnée" loosely translates as a long tour or ramble along a defined route, and persons embarking as such are dubbed "randonneurs". In cycling, the term defines a hard-riding enthusiast attempting a long-distance randonnée (called a "brevet", usually 200 kilometers or greater) within a certain time allotment. Non-competitive by design, randonneuring encourages camaraderie: riders test themselves against the clock, the weather, and a challenging route - but not each other. Randonneuring's ethos embodies self-sufficiency and mental toughness; support vehicles are not allowed and brevets are held regardless of weather. Randonneurs USA (RUSA) organizes brevets in the United States under the auspices of the Audax Club Parisien (ACP) and the Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM), and rider's results are recognized world-wide. This website seeks to highlight the excitement and challenge of long-distance bicycle riding by sharing personal ride accounts, with the hope of growing the sport. If this type of bicycle riding interests you and you'd like to find out more, visit the RUSA webpage to find rides in your area!

For ride announcements and discussions on randonneuring in the greater Kansas City area, visit KC Ultra Cycling, and join the KC Ultra-Cycling Email List:

Subscribe to KCUC

Email:

Visit this group

Courtesy Randonneurs USA

What is Ultra-Marathon Cycling?

Just as the 26.2-mile marathon represents a benchmark for runners, bicyclists generally consider the "century", riding 100-miles, a worthy endurance challenge. Ultra-marathon cycling involves exceeding that benchmark, often several times over, offering the long-distance challenge of randonnuering with a more competitive flavor. This is the world of 24-hour races, double-centuries, and beyond. Where randonneuring rewards all finishers equally and emphasizes self-sufficiency, ultra-racers compete for time and placing, maximizing speed by utilizing support crews for hand-ups and fast repairs. Event courses can be long and scenic, but may take the form of many laps of a looped course. Winning ultra-distance events requires the rare combination of endurance and a high average speed. Randonneuring and Ultra-Marathon often complement one another: brevets can offer base-training to prepare for racing, and fast randonneurs often enter ultra events for a new challenge. Visit the World Ultra Cycling Association's website for more information.

Courtesy World Ultra Cycling Association

July 19, 2010

Hydration revisit

No comments:

What HITS?

Email? Email!