Water tables… how many and what?

[Pete Dippenaar]

Hi Folks...

 

Here is my question:

On an 80km MTB race, with 2600m of climbing, (yes, a lot of climbing for 80km) how many water tables do you think should be provided, and what should the water tables be offering the riders to eat and drink???

[Letum911]

Hi Folks...

 

Here is my question:

On an 80km MTB race, with 2600m of climbing, (yes, a lot of climbing for 80km) how many water tables do you think should be provided, and what should the water tables be offering the riders to eat and drink???

 

Longest race I've done is 52km. The water points were at 20km and around 38km. I like the idea of every 20km, average rider that's a rest every hour. Possibly water and a energy drink at each, with fruits at the first few with the possibility of a GU or something similar at the last one?

[BarHugger]

Depends on a lot more factors, but crucially your fitness level. So if your conditioned well (considering the given race characteristics) maybe 6-7 tables. When you are unfit.......there will never be enough.

 

Water and Coke the minimum.......anything else and you are spoiled.

 

Edit: Some eye candy is always appreciated.......even if they don't smile or wave.

[jcza]

Work it out according to time and not distance. If terrain is steep it can take a hour to do 10km. Aim to have them a hour apart for the bottom of the field. Water, Coke/Powerade, Bananas & Potatoes. If it's very dry or very wet then lube is welcome.

[Johny Bravo]

Recently did a race, and it was extremely hot. Unusual for that time of year, and the okes struggled. Too few water points, had it been 8 degrees cooler, no problem. 

 

Ice cold water is a must, dont care for coke and other things. Some jelly babies, bananas, bar ones etc etc are all nice. But when I roll into a water point I want ice cold water.

[Oxter]

Everything JCZA said and some more

 

MaYBE SOME OF THIS??

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/14/82/81/148281d7dd336c53850b86ccd05f04c2.jpg

 

just remove all obsticales in a 2km radius

 

http://www.btosportsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/MTB-Crash-2.jpg

[Gremlin1]

And a floorpump!

[GlockG4]

For me it depends on the temperature. But I would agree, every hour and a half. On a race like what you are describing something to eat every second WP, water obviously and please o please coke, forget all the other powerades and ****. Would be GREAT if you can keep everything cold up the mountains. I did a race once, 38+ degrees the whole day, the last WP had ice....I have no words! On a side note, I have never eaten anything sweet at a WP, by the time I get there I am all sweet frim Gu's and rehidrate shakes and nougat's, I much rather prefer something salty!

[ScottCM]

So when and where is this monstrous climbing race?

[BarHugger]

So when and where is this monstrous climbing race?

 

 

Those numbers were flung around during the weekend at Magoebas........I suspect however the climbing was a bit less.......but there was still seriaaaas climbing.

[rudi-h]

any MTB rider with a camelback and carrying a banana or something should be able to do 20's - 30 km's unsupported at least.

 

Two watertables will be fine, three will be better, more than that will be a waste.

 

Any form of energy drink, water and coke on the drinks side.

 

bananas, bar-ones, jelly sweets, mini potatoes and maybe something more "foody" at the last watertable for the okes that will be having a 6+ hour day.  Something like vetkoek or pancakes etc.will be awesome.

 

ps, not a lot of places in SA where you can fit 2600m of climbing into 80 km's, where is this?

[Eldron]

Work it out according to time and not distance. If terrain is steep it can take a hour to do 10km. Aim to have them a hour apart for the bottom of the field. Water, Coke/Powerade, Bananas & Potatoes. If it's very dry or very wet then lube is welcome.

 

The Oom - he nailed it.

[Warthog]

I did the ALZU MTB 75 last Saturday.

 

They had WP's at about 10, 20 and 30 km's, with nice goodies- bananas & potatoes. The 75 then turned of the route, and the next WP was only at 59 km's, with the toughest part of the route in that 29 km section. Next one at about 68, and last one about 1 km from end...

[dillon]

what ever you do don't let those Torqzone okes put up their "Only 5kms to go signs", false advertising I tell you!

 

They make you think you are just round the corner from the finish,  "mean" while it is just a water point.  

 

Caught me out once, just once........

[Pete Dippenaar]

The ride in question was the Magoebers Kloof.

Raining and drizzling meant heat was not a problem, but muddy forestry roads abounded which slowed the pace and sucked at the wheels hour after hour.

Water and power aid were supplied in abundance, but food was the missing element...

And on an 80km ride with massive climbing and muddy conditions, once you have passed 4 or 5 hours in the saddle you need to feed your body, well I do anyway, and a banana and an orange just didn't cut it for me.

Maybe it was my own fault for not taking a packed lunch… next time I'll ride with a coleman instead of a camelback 

[Spoke101]

Not trying to sound arrogant here, but for me I think anything over 2 would be a waste.

 

First off 80km's with 2600m is not for beginners, and thus riders doing this should have done at least this type of distance in training at some point and know there requirements. So I would put one at 30km and 60km given a constant rout profile.

 

ie. racing snakes of which I think I classify as   should only need around 700ml (one bottle) per 40km/2hr even in 40°C.  Normal midfield 1400ml (2 bottles) per 40km/3hr. If you plan on taking longer than this you should be riding with 3 bottles or a camelpack. I just don't see the point of all the time and money going into "x" number of water points where the number of people that use all of them is so small.

 

The key I find is to hydrate properly in the days leading up to an event, this make a huge difference and then rehydrate again once finished.

 

I have seen some of the pro's race 60kms on 500ml   which I can't do. yet have managed Sani2c day 1 and 3 with 700ml and SA marathon champs 92km 3200m ascent in 40°C with 1400ml for 70km/4hrs.