Topic: things learned at my first 12 hour

[FACTORe]

- it is not as easy to get things out of a zip lock bag as i thought it would be - next race i am trying to plastic cup method
- melons are great...next time I eat these before I bonk
- have bottles mixed and cooled ahead of time so that I don't have to mess with trying to mix bottles in a rush
- do not over lube seat post to get rid of creaking (I had to stop every 3rd lap to re adjust my seat post that was drifting down with every bump...this also made for a bad bike fit for most of the race)
- do not worry how fast the team racers are going out....they get 3 hour rest between laps
- relax hands and arms and every thing else I can think of during the ride...over gripping and tightening up wastes energy and fatigues muscles
- get an energy drink that either A. comes in smaller cans or B. drink 1/2 a can
- have chain lube out on a table ready to be used (my chain looked more like a rope than a chain after all the pedaling in the GA red clay- I can't imagine the sand will be any better)
- don't waste too much energy letting faster people go by me in bad spots on the trail....they can wait until it is an easy place for me to pull over and not stop pedaling
- have every laps nutrition planned before the race
- my legs were fine.....but my core, arms and hands got tired....I WILL SPEND MORE TIME IN THE GYM

[chainslap]

Don't forget the chamos butter!
A second set of gloves half way through is also nice.

[FACTORe]

Don't forget the chamos butter!
A second set of gloves half way through is also nice.

used the butter on my nipples - the dangles were fine

the glove thing is very true - my hands are blistered

[J. Ryan]

Good advice! I'll keep all these in mind for all my endurance rides. Some day I'll make a 12 hour ride!