i’m doing (or attempting) the death ride tomorrow and have a few questions…
1 - would it be a big help to change from my 12-25 to a 12-27(9 speed)? and should i do it at this point?
2 - i bought perpetuum (sp?) which is supposed to be ideal for activities that are 2+ hours. the problem is that it says not to use with simple sugars, which most of my other sports foods/drinks/gels contain. plus it doesn’t dissolve well. should i just stick with cytomax or is there anything else that works well? does it make a difference?
I wouldn’t change your cassette the day before an event unless you’re sure the chain/new cassette combo will work without skipping. the last thing you want on the death ride is to have your gears skipping when you’re trying to climb.
I also wouldn’t mess with new drinks and such on the ride, but that’s me. stick with what you’re used to, and whatever food looks appealing from the aid stations.
Perpetuum should work fine with Cytomax, which I believe is a complex carb based drink. I use Carbo Pro (same concept as Perpetuum) with it Cytomax and it works just fine.
i’m doing (or attempting) the death ride tomorrow and have a few questions…
1 - would it be a big help to change from my 12-25 to a 12-27(9 speed)? and should i do it at this point?
2 - i bought perpetuum (sp?) which is supposed to be ideal for activities that are 2+ hours. the problem is that it says not to use with simple sugars, which most of my other sports foods/drinks/gels contain. plus it doesn’t dissolve well. should i just stick with cytomax or is there anything else that works well? does it make a difference?
3 - any other suggestions?
the hills are mostly 7 to 8% grades with a few pitches in the 10% range. I would always opt for having the bailout gear.
as for nutrition, that is probably the best supported ride on the planet
If the 27 runs smooth I would use it. I am not a good climber and did it with 25. I wished on the 4th and 5th passes that I had smaller gear.
Other advice. Use the original Chapstick. The air is so dry up there, my lips were about ready to fall off at the end. I took arm warmers and had them on my wrists going up and on my arms going down on every pass. Even though it is hot in the valleys going down the passes in the shade I was cold. Hydrate and hydrate some more. I didn’t even break a sweat cause it is so dry up there. Meet lots of folks and talk along the way, it distracts from the climbs.
Most of all have fun and be safe. That is one hell of a great ride. Remember no pics and it didn’t happen.
" Perpetuum should work fine with Cytomax, which I believe is a complex carb based drink. I use Carbo Pro (same concept as Perpetuum) with it Cytomax and it works just fine. "
Yikes! Perpetuem is NOTHING like carbo pro. Carbo pro is just carbs, Perpetuem is all kinds of crap in one - carbs, protein, aminos, electrolytes. It’s like a super-food that does not live up to it’s name.
DO NOT try it for the first time at the death ride - go with what you know.