Sunday ride prep is a long-standing ritual. Sunday is, after all, long-ride day; and means that there’s much more preparation needed than for an ordinary, weekday-morning ride.

First of all, there’s getting my water supply ready. If I’m going to ride more than about 15 miles, especially in hot weather, I fill up the Camel-Bak. Sure, it makes for quite a load, but I’d rather have that load on my back than to collapse from dehydration.

Then there’s electrolyte drink. (Starting at ~03: 17 minutes). I like to start a long ride using one that has some caffeine, such as Zym Berry. If I’m out long enough that I drain my bottle of electrolyte drink, I switch to something non-caffeinated, such as Nuun. I must also prepare my ride food. With my hydration and nutrition lined up, I must of course pump up the road bike’s tires.

OK, so the Camel-Bak and bicycle are now ready to roll. But what about me?

Before starting a ride on a warm day, I almost take a bath in sunblock. I look for fragrance-free, 45-50 SPF. In addition to slathering it on before leaving home, I carry a tube in my bicycle’s under-saddle pack. Sunblock needs to be reapplied fairly often, every 80 minutes.

For a ride longer than a few miles, Chamois Butt’r makes things much more comfortable. I’ve also tried Chamois Butt’r Her’. I prefer the original formula. Of course I apply it before starting the ride, and take it along so I can freshen up when I make pit stops.

Sunday ride prep also means, be sure I have my cell phone and IDs in case of emergency; pack along a few GU-Gels; and probably some other stuff that I forgot to mention!