![\"traveling](\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/traveling.jpg\")
<\/a>Over the last 6 weeks\u00a0I\u2019ve driven about 8,500 miles in my van chasing the remaining Pro Cross Country Tour events around the continent. Life on the road can be challenging, but for me, staying fit and competitive is the biggest challenge.<\/p>\nIf you\u2019re planning a road trip to a bike race in the future, here are a few tips to keep your legs from turning into mush from the long hours in the car:<\/p>\n
Nutrition<\/h2>\n
Stay away from those gas station nachos. In fact, stay away from every supposedly \u201cedible\u201d item inside of a gas station. Long drives have a tendency of confusing you into thinking these colorful packages contain food but they actually contain a cocktail of fat and chemicals that will stomp out your fitness faster than Smokey the Bear stumbling across a smoldering camp fire.<\/p>\n
Hydration<\/h2>\n
You probably think I\u2019m going to tell you to drink your body weight in water and then drink more, right? Wrong. I\u2019ve found that most cyclists can over-do it here. While staying hydrated is extremely important, pounding excessive amounts of water the few days leading up to an event is detrimental to performance. Keep your water bottle filled while you\u2019re driving and drink moderately, but if you\u2019re pulling over every 30 minutes to relieve yourself, you\u2019re drinking too much. Check out the book Waterlogged for more info on this fascinating topic.<\/p>\n
Compression Socks<\/h2>\n
You could say the evidence is somewhat inconclusive on the effectiveness of compression socks, but my personal experience with them says they\u2019re a must. Any car ride over 2 hours and your legs will have a significant lack of circulation and swelling will begin.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Trevor, compression socks are so expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n
False! You know the only difference between the old man, $8 pair of compression socks at Walmart and the fancy \u201cendurance\u201d brand, $90 pair of compression socks you find in sporting stores? One is covered in logos.<\/p>\n
Pro tip: for fewer odd looks when walking around in public in your new pair of old man, Walmart compression socks, do NOT purchase the \u201cskin color\u201d set. Stick with black.<\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to keeping your legs fresh, compression socks alone are not enough. My rule is to get out of the car and move around every 2 hours. I follow this religiously and even if you have to do some jumping jacks in what surely is the exact forest the movie Deliverance was filmed in, your legs will thank you come race day.<\/p>\n If you’re as fortunate as I am to travel with a Kickr and a laptop, a simple AC converter in your car’s 12v outlet is all you need to get some TrainerRoad time in. I’ve done workouts everywhere from Walmart parking lots to desolate truck stops.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Best of luck to you and your own cycling endeavors. I hope these tips help keep your legs a little fresher come race day.<\/p>\nKeep Moving<\/h2>\n