Hey everyone,
I’m doing an IM distance race and they are only offering this one brand of bar (which I won’t mention) on course. I’ve had the opportunity to try every flavor of this brand and it is terrible, worst tasting thing ever.
So, now in order to keep on my nutrition schedule I have to carry all of my bars with me (~5 bars), so I was wondering how people did this, if there are any tricks out there. Ideally I won’t carry 5 at once, because I’ll get special needs at 56, but i want to be prepared in case something happens and I can’t get everything there. I want to have it unwrapped already, or in an easier package to open.
I was thinking of wrapping them in saran wrap with easy to open tabs or something like that. I’m not a huge fan of laying it on the top tube, especially since I sweat a lot and I don’t think Powerbar + sweat tastes very good.
Hoping that someone has a brilliant method that they wouldn’t mind sharing…
Thanks for your responses…
In the past, I have cut Powerbars into sections (like quarters depending on how much I want to eat at one time) and just stuck them to the top tube of my bike. Looks kind of funny, esp. with the chocolate bars, and depending on the heat/humidity/rain, may be a little messy, but has worked for me in Iron-distance races before.
I second that…I have only race halfs so I usually eat just one PB on teh bike. I cut it in 4 pieces with scissors and loosen up the wrapping…I stuff it in my shorts or jersey pocket as I get on the bike. The other way is to cut it up and throw them in a bento box (there are small ones available as well).
You could also try eliminating the bars all together. More recently, I have switched from eating a lot of solid food (bars) on the bike to making my “crack shake” and getting the bulk of my CHO/PRO/FAT from a concentrated liquid source. That way I only have to carry two bottles with about 500-600 calories in them and a gel flask, and can refuel at special needs. You have to find what works for you. Some of my potions might kill another person, but I have gotten used to them and actually start to crave them in race situations.
I keep my Clif bars in the wrapper and only eat half at a time (every 30-60 minutes). they’re fairly easy to open while riding. I keep all my nutrition in the pockets of my jersey - i never could stand the mess of sticking everything to your bike.
Since no Tri top exists that has decent sized pockets on it, my race top is an extra-small bike jersey that i tailored myself. Cut the arms off so it’s cofortable to swim in under a wetsuit, enlarge the neck and trim the zipper down so you can get into it, and hem all the edges. It’s skin tight, comfortable, and has big enough pockets to carry all your nutrition. Since I swim with it on under the wetsuit, I start the race with my numbers pinned to it already (no race belt to fool with) and all my nutrition for the bike in the pockets under the wetsuit. Saves time in transition.
Another large positive is that’s it’s unique - you’re not one of the many out there with the same identical Zoot, DeSoto, etc. outfit on.
Keith - go for the “stack” approach then reload with a bento box at special needs. Only problem with this http://www.digitaltriathlon.com/evt-imgview.asp?id=130&offset=5 is that if you have chocolate bars and climb hills thus rubbing your inside leg it can look a bit like you lost control. That aside, it’s what I do.
Me and my team used to cut the bars into 1" by 1" chunks and stick them under the leg of our shorts on top of the quads. It keeps them soft on cold days, they don’t seem to move much, and you get used to the feeling after awhile. No wrappers to worry about either.
Give it a try (five bars worth though might not work; start with two and see what happens).
Are you actually in danger of winning your age group? If you are then do whatever gets you to the finish line and ignore the advice below.
If you are trying to finish your first Ironman - give yourself all the comfort and ease of mind advantages you can. Stuff some in your bento box and/or put on a jersey with pockets that accommodate 5 bars. Power bars are pretty slim and I’d bet you can get more in a little pocket than you think. You can also cut the wrappers at the top, keep them on, and then use electrical tape to secure them to the top tube.
I sure hope those folks that stick their food to their top tube dont’ pee on their bikes in a tailwind. Seeing what my gritty bottles look like after a long ride here in the south (on the back of my bike and downtube) I wouldn’t want to eat anything that has been riding up there al fresco for 80 miles.
You could also try eliminating the bars all together.
I’m with you on this one…up until recently I’ve relied on solid foods more than liquid calories, but hopefully have now found the right mix, so to speak, to fuel me without having to worry about solid stuff. Anything I think I might need along those lines I’ll put in my special needs bag but won’t carry with me from the start.
But this needs to be worked out in training and not tried for the first time on race day. Everyone else has given pretty good advice on how to carry around bars. Make’em easy to get into, one way or another—on the frame is doable for some, in a Bento Box is good for others, in your jersey pocket for others.
I’m pretty sure I’m doing the same race you are. My plan (which has worked in the past) is to fully open the PowerBars, but leave the wrappers on. The bars are sticky enough to hold onto the wrapper but easy to open. Some will go in my Bento Box. I’ll also have a gel flask with me, and take bananas at the aid stations. At special needs, I’ll pick up more, plus a little treat to look forward to.
See my post on Gordos, but it is easier for me to regulate calories, electrolytes and protein (if I use it) with all liquid. Most of the atheltes that I work with feel the same way. I personally have a hard time choking down bars after a while. I end up getting lazy becasue I do not feel like eating. As a consequence I go into the run with a calorie deficit.
I can drink my nutrition anytime, but eating does not work for me.