Posted this above, but Big fan of the Hydrapak 250’s - these ones with this nozzle:
I’ve carried as many as 3 in my back pockets and each fits 4x40g SIS Gels - so that’s 4 hours going full bore at 120g an hour for me. They’re a pain to fill and clean up, you’re not getting exactly one gel at a time, and you probably lose a little bit on the inside, but positives outweigh the negatives.
I just put them in a rear pocket of my jersey.
I had one of these, and perhaps I overfilled it, but I tried to open it on a ride, and it blew up all over my hands! Sticky gel on your hands for another couple of hours was not fun! But I like the idea of it versus trying to use my teeth to open a gel while riding.
I was looking at the ones that have a bite straw on them, I think Solomon and Uswe have them. Make it as dummy proof as possible, because i’m clearly a dummy.
I have 3 hard-sided flasks and keep one in my back pocket. Swap out for a full one at my 2 stops (and they are filled according to how long each segment will take). I tend to load up on fuel early in the day, so start with a full flask. A good bit less for up columbine and back to twin lakes alternate. And then a full flask for the rest of the race (which is a long haul, but I’m not eating as much late and I can also grab a couple gels at an aid station if needed).
I’m also using a USWE with carb mix and supplementing with gels. I put my gels in soft flasks and stick them in my jersey pockets. I use these soft flasks:
They’re really easy to just suck the gel out of when you want some. I use Huma gels for reference, so pretty middle of the road in terms of consistency.
Just be aware that some of the gels are too thick to squeeze through a bite valve.
An alternative is just put your gels in a regular water bottle and use your cage if you are wearing a pack anyways.
good point, any experience with Carbs Fuel and bite valves?
Pacing and fuel plan for sub 10 target:
Because I am better than spreadsheets that riding bikes: here is my plan for the LV 100. I am lucky in that my family will be there so I will have support at two locations. I have been riding using 90 grams of carbs in my bottles, and one gel per hour. Also found that my body really likes having regular water. Targeting sub 10 finish. Love the group’s thoughts on this:
Start - Pipeline. Should take me 155 minutes. two 750ml bottles (total 270g carbs) 2 gels.
Pipeline to Lost Canyon 78 minutes 750mg bottle (135g carbs) and 1 gel
Up and Down Columbine 102 minutes USWE with 180g carbs and 2 gels
Lost Canyon to Pipeline 90 minutes 135g carbs and 1 gel
Pipeline to finish 175 minutes 135g carbs and 3 gels
10 hours, 1125 g of carbs.
My only question - by saying you really like water, any sodium?
This is my experience. I started with flasks with the bite valve but changed to the HydraPaks with an open valve as sometimes the gel would get too thick and that’s the last thing I wanted to be dealing with during a race especially.
I have several sizes and found that while the largest is most convenient in terms of avoiding carrying many empty flasks, it is more difficult to portion consistently. 2 hrs of gel in one flask is probably the sweet spot for me.. no pun intended.
From my experience, I could get away with about an 80g SIS Beta packet or 80g of homemade mix into a 125ml flask at a consistency thin enough for bite valves. Once I tried to get to my targeted 110g, it became too thick.
I prefer to take hands of bars and dig around my pockets as little as possible so like to take in about half a flask every 30 minutes. If you have a vest with front pockets, I guess that’s easier but I worried that style would run hotter and be less aero so went with the pocket less USWEs and carry flasks in my jersey pockets.
I get my sodium from the gels and the energy mix. I found that regular water is important for me to drink. If I feel my gut is overwhelmed a few sips of water seems to settle it.
I think that’s fine, as long as it’s enough. Have you tested your sodium needs in a hot / dry / long day like Leadville where you know the gels and mix are giving you enough? How much does it work out to per hour?
The only thing that would worry me, if you’re in a decent sized sodium deficit and haven’t tested beyond 5-6 hours in the heat, you’re going to be arriving at the bottom of Powerline 7-7.5 hours in or thereabouts.
If you’re just drinking a little water here and there and the mix/gel combo has worked, then you’re probably fine. But, might be a good idea to carry some salt tabs just in case.
Thanks for the reply. Question: i have been riding in Coastal California where the temps don’t get too high. For sure I am good on the calorie front as tested in my rides.
Do you have any recommendations on salt tablets or pills? Can I just chew on a nuun or SiS tablet?
TIA
Precision hydration make 250 mg tablets that are Sodium Citrate. It is nice because they are in blister pack.
I bet there’s a ton of people using them, even those who shouldn’t be.
I personally just went with a narrower set of bars to narrow my profile some without screwing with the fit.
Much like every race in the world, LV warns us to:
That said, I’ve wrapped my bars as close to the stem as possible and having the goofy race plate there gets in the way of grabbing on. At gravel races, I almost always bend it around my head tube and tape it on. This has yet to cause a chip to not register when crossing a mat. Anyone do this at Leadville? In watching Keegan break the record in 23, you can see his was clearly cut down and wrapped around his handlebar, not the head tube, but still technically frowned upon.
What do y’all think?
I’m thinking of printing this and bolting it on very loosely so it can flop back with wind.
https://makerworld.com/models/1222491
Guess this guy has an “aero” version as well: