food on the bike

Dsutter24

I am curious about how athletes manage food on the bike.  I have to think way ahead b/c I don't have access to stuff here in Nigeria.  We will be in the US over Christmas and I will have to stock up.  Do most carry all their food on their back and tape gu packets to their bike?  How do you acquire your special needs bags when on the bike?  Are they handed out or do you stop and play hid and seek?  How do we know what size bottles are used during the race and how do you know which is water and which is sports drink?  The IMTX has not posted what fuel will be provided on the course on the website.  Can you tell me what they used last year?   

 

Mark Maurer

Hi Dana, I use Skratch Labs drinks on the bike regardless of what they're serving on the course so I have to take my drinks with me. I mix up a bottle of concentrate that allows me to mix up 6 or 7 bottles of regular drink on the bike. Then all I have to do is grab water in the aid stations and add it to my between the bar bottle with some concentrate. (If you want to know more on that let know.) I make rice cakes from the Feed Zone cookbook http://feedzonecookbook.com/ and eat them on the bike. I have to eat about one per hour. I keep them in a bento box http://triathlon.competitor.com/201...oxes_65603 and my jersey pocket. I usually go to gels in the last hour to prepare for the run. Ironman used to serve Perform but I heard they're going to Gatorade Endurance.

The special needs bags are usually at or around mile 56. You have to stop and get the bag but there are usually volunteers there to help get the bag and hand it to you. 

rlh2000

I believe the bottles are 20 oz. It is clear if it is water or sports drink- they are in the original packaging, with safety seals removed so they are ready to drink or pour into a bottle you have on the bike. The benefit of using what is on the course is that you don't have to carry much with you, just get what you need at each aid station. For those that do carry their own, it is a combo of taping to the bike, bento boxes, multiple bottle mounts, and restocking in special needs. Volunteers are very helpful in getting you what you need.

tim cronk

I use a bento box on the frame for storage.
http://darkspeedworks.com/sp483.htm

I fill it with pieces of cliff bars and cliff blocks wrapped in edible wafer rice paper. And a gel or two.
http://www.amazon.com/Bakery-Crafts-BC-WFS-0811-100/dp/B00024WNVI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415712220&sr=8-1&keywords=wafer+paper+edible

This system is quick, easy , no trash (except the gels).

The last 2 years IMTX handed out 20 oz bottle of perform.... WTC is changing back to Gatorade so I would expect 20 oz bottles of gatorade.

Coach Patrick

Dana - thanks for checking in! You might want to head to the nutrition section of the wiki and read up on how we have outlined race calories. We encourage you to get as much of the course is possible. The fluid next year will be Gatorade durance but you can certainly buy online as powder. You'll also want to buy some salt pills, generally salt stick pills are pretty good. While you can pick up fluids, we generally recommend carrying all of the required solids on your bike. You can use the boxes the people of mentioned, or even take the time to put on a full bike jersey in T1 as those pockets will come in handy. when it's time for special needs, you will actually pull over and stop in front of the person with your bag so very little hide and seek involved.

Eric Ensminger

I am a fan of more real food that I control.  I have been using Feedzone Portables my last two Ironman specifically rice cakes with sausage and egg.  I got a great comment about eating a bake potato.  I find the consistency I can control along with not being to sweet a huge advantage.  Some are better than others, I make a batch and freeze them to use over the course of a month.

Dsutter24

Thanks so much for all the feedback!