Gut Test 🌮
It’s time for a gut test! My usual pre-ride snack is a banana with a tablespoon or two of peanut butter; but I need to know how my stomach will react to riding right after a heavier — and stronger flavored — meal.
Video after video of RAGBRAI mentions all the food along the way: sweet corn dipped in melted butter; home-made ice cream; pork chops; and pie, pie, and yet more pie. (Ragpie, I always say! 😉) How will I manage if my gut is stuffed when I’ve got hills to climb? Hence the need for the gut test.
I’ve got the gut test all lined up. Today I went to a nearby pizza restaurant; and got a take-out calzone. Those calzones are huge, and I cut mine in three; ate one piece; and put the rest in the fridge. Tomorrow I can eat another piece of calzone right before I ride. We’ll see how I feel when I’m pushing the pace.
Moderation 😋
Dietary moderation during RAGBRAI won’t be easy with so many tantalizing offerings along the way. It would be very tempting to try all I can on the first day, to be sure I don’t miss anything; because how can I be sure of being able to return for subsequent RAGBRAIs? But I don’t need to stuff myself like that, or I’ll be miserable on the bike.
My idea is to try one thing each day: Beekman’s Ice Cream the first day; Mr. Pork Chop the next; and so on. I can carry a piece of aluminum foil for wrapping that chop, because I’ve got an idea that it will be too big for me to eat all at once!
I recently found an online RAGBRAI article that does address the issue of fueling during the ride. It says, pace your eating; you don’t want or need to be riding on an overloaded stomach. At the same time, riding all day burns lots of calories; and that means eating to keep going. It’ll be hard to draw the line between enough, and too much!
This blog/page may contain affiliate links.
“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”
ABOUT ME
I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story.
I live in New Orleans; and retired in January 2023. More time for cycling!
Website designed by Cecile Levert
© This website is the property of its author.
DISCLAIMER
I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.
TRANSLATOR
