After 2 Weeks Off

Two weeks yesterday was Cecee's passing and I finally got back on the bike. Yeah, we butted heads sometimes but still shocked that she would go so quickly like that. Maybe still in disbelief but it has been really hard getting out on the bike. Pretty sure some of it was hosting Gina's out of state sisters, Gina having to deal with the mortuary, insurance, and such. Even when things are already planned out, it's still a big hassle. So Gina though grieving, still having to deal with arrangements and stuff.

But it sure has been rough trying to get back on the bike and out there. I would say 10 days out of the last 2 weeks, I had intentions of getting out there but didn't. Too many, ok tomorrow will do type thinking. So finally I did get out today and I will say it was really rough. Felt great on the first half thinking my legs must be fresh from the time off but the way back, gee! Felt like I crawled back. Not sure what it was, but it sucked ha ha ha! Not to mention that I was freaked out at one point, the turnaround point. I looked at the time on my device and not having ridden since before the time change, the time did not change on my device so I thought I was WAY behind schedule thinking Gina would get home from work before I finished. I picked, well tried to pick up the pace then a couple minutes later realized that I hadn't set the time back to standard time ha ha ha! So, got freaked out for nothing.

Even though I was well fueled, it was rough. Trying out the new Forumula369 products.  One bottle 60 carbs the first hour, stroopwafel and a Carb Dope gel the second hour, another bottle 60 carbs on the third hour, and still, it sucked ha ha ha! I might be thinking theF369 sucks but in all honesty, probably just me. Was thinking about 50 but good thing I turned around when I did, at the San Gabe Airport for 41. I'll have to try the F369 again on a good day and maybe a bigger breakfast. Not sure if the oatmeal isn't quite enough. We'll see before I can honestly and fairly say that it doesn't work for me. But tried the mix for the first time as well as the hard flask. Did order a soft flask on ebay thinking the hard flask might be hard to work with but the Carb Dope stuff is really more like a liquid than a gel. I took a good first sip and felt it fly into my mouth figuring about half of the flask shot down my throat ha ha ha! Surprised me a bit so I was ready on the next swig. Reading I should take it sip by sip over time and guzzle it down. But either way, need to give it another chance. Well I have to because I bought the starter pack that comes with  a 3 pound bag.

I guess a good portion of the ingredients is maltodextrin. I do remember a dude on cycling forums, a 5 time finisher of Race Across America telling me on the forums that I should use maltodextrin to fuel my rides. But today thinking about it, he was and that's probably why I kicked the sheot out of him on the timed event Ride Around the Bear (100 miles/ 10,000 ft of gain) by over an hour ha ha ha! If this is the same stuff he used to fuel on the ride, it's not a good sign so hopefully I just had a bad day or maybe I was just lacking the spirit ha ha ha!

But I had a chance to try out my new jersey. Too bad it didn't come before Halloween. But felt really good and love the colors. Pretty nice in reality vs net images and maybe even the pics. Not bad for $15 but too bad the pres has the tariffs thing going seeing the delivery was $10. Though not bad coming from China but free delivery would make the jersey even more impressive if I could get it for $15 flat. Guess I can't ask for too much seeing some other jerseys I've bought to support some local causes were $80 several years ago and not as nice as these that I get from China.

I got the jersey in the mail a few days ago but without riding, I had to try it on anyway ha ha ha! Oh yeah, I cut my hair earlier that morning when the jersey arrived. So that actually pays for the jersey in itself seeing the local shops want $40 for a basic haircut nowadays. And had an extra $10 left over ha ha ha!

Speaking of jerseys, how about the Mr. Beanz jersey?  I saw the ad for the custom jersey on the site where I get mine. $24 but a minimum of 3 so figuring not everybody would want to wear my jersey, I ordered all 3 for me. Heck, not sure if I will be able to wear these out before I get too old to ride ha ha ha! But TC saw it on my FB page and said he wanted one. Different size so I asked the people to swap one for his size but they said it was already too late as they were already being worked on in my size. So I just asked them to add one more onto my order in TC's size. Another $30 but not bad for a custom jersey.

I did send in the design templates asking if they could make them. Pretty much the same colors and design as the I'm Not Old, I'm a Classic jersey I bought from them. I like the colors as grey is supposed to be something that doesn't attract bees. Yeah, I have a history with bees ha ha ha!

I sent in these templates, back and front.

Then they responded saying this is what the designer came up with. Uhh, ok, but didn't I design it? Ha ha ha!

But it should be pretty cool having a Beanz jersey ha ha ha!

Like my little Magic Buller mixer but figured I'd get a Ninja too having one in storage somewhere. Probably easier just buying a new one at Costco for $119 vs digging through a storage unit ha ha ha! Really powerful and a little different from my previous Ninja. Technology is something else the way it has been developing.

The starter pack. Not bad though for $49 seeing one gets $100 worth of stuff.

Not much riding but still eating healthy. Even more important when one does not do the miles. So hopefully, I haven't lost too much and chalk up today to a bad day. Nice, get it out of the way. It happens that way sometimes. I remember one day riding up GMR with Hillbasher back in the day. I really struggled to the shack and wondered why, just didn't feel right so the very next day, went and did it again. Felt much better the second day. Heck, and not too many people I know would do it 2 days in a row.

Goodbye Cecee / RIP 😢

 Sadly Cecee past away on the 26th at 4:25 PM. Fortunately she was able to remain in her home as comfortable as possible up until the final day before being admitted into the hospital. Where she spent the night then past away the following day. Another beautiful person sent to Heaven. Fortunately Gina and I had the pleasure of helping her remain at home making sure she had everything she needed to remain comfortable. Gina is really broken up losing her mother so it was nice that her out of state and local siblings were able to spend some time with her during her final day. She was really happy and brave during the entire ordeal. A very quick bout with stage 4 cancer over the last 6 weeks or so. Plenty of family and friends visiting having a chance to speak with her before heading to Heaven so I know she left happy and content knowing she was loved and will be missed. She says leaving this world at 85, she's had a good long life.

I love this pic of her. Shows just how alive and beautiful she was having a good time. An actual pic of her when we went to the mall to eat an ice cream a while back. I had placed her face over a hot air balloon image as she love balloons being from New Mexico where the famous hot air balloon event takes place.

So sad to see such a strong lady go from always running around to getting hit with cancer then in a a matter of 3 or 4 weeks, being gone. From walking to barely being able to move within 3 weeks after getting the results after a visit to the ER over stomach pains. Sad but like some of the very few that I admire as I myself hope that I can walk and get around till the end or even at least close. Though she was in pain, she didn't suffer too long being a quick short confrontation at the end. She knew it was the end having cancer cells throughout her peritoneal cavity cancer and her organs. Amazing that she didn't complain till around the last 30 days of her life thinking it was shingles and a visit to the ER before receiving the results. She was tough and she was brave.

There were a few embarrassing moments where we had to help her and she was so apologetic that we had to help her. I told her, "no, you don't apologize or be embarrassed about anything because I know you would do the same for me!". And she had so many times before, cared for people in need and disabled. Not for pay,, but for having a good heart willing to help anyone. I know if God forbid, something had happened to me on the bike or an accident, she would have been there to help me as she had so many times with others throughout her life.

Yeah, we had our little run ins as we were both strong willed proud personalities but she really treated me very well, like a king so many times and she did give me Gina. She told me about a year ago in Laughlin that I'm going to cry when she dies. I laughed and said, yeah right! I will say I don't cry easily but a few days before her passing, I'd lay in bed unbale to sleep feeling for her and trying to hold back the tears.

Few hours before she passed, it was me, Gina, and Gina's 3 sister in the room with her. Still looking beautiful and smiling so I'm glad that is the last image in my mind. I hugged her and kissed her and told her that I appreciate that she never turned her back on me, or us, never thought twice about helping us with anything. I reminded her that she told me that I was going to cry when she died and though I laughed, I told her I already had a couple of times at night thinking of her. I've been with Gina for 40 years and she told me that she had always loved me and I could tell. We had our little bouts here and there but we had a great time really! Never did she turn her back on me, only when I'd tell her to leave me alone and give me some space ha ha ha!

Gina did very well handling everything seeing it all happened so soon. She used all her vacation, sick days taking care of her running her to the docs and ER's back and forth several times. But what was nice is the fact that she was set for the last few years we'd been together. Gina has 2 remaining brothers and 3 living sisters and none of them had to worry about squat over the years. So it was great to get together with them and see how much all of them appreciated the fact that she was taken care of so well.

Of course, she never turned he back on us and we did have a great time, most of the time as in any family. I did tell her that I loved this picture of her so I was going to have it printed on a t-shirt.

Just so hard to believe it ended so quickly thinking we still had tine later to visit Laughlin and Vegas. Which reminds me, about 3 years ago she cried in Laughlin saying this would probably be the last time she saw Laughlin being her age around 82 at the time. But I made sure it wasn't taking her back about 10 more times. I'm sure she loved it!

After work before Gina would get home, we would talk and we'd have beautiful conversations. Of course working in the sun at the time, I'd come home soaked in sweat wearing my work clothes when she would tell me that I was worth far more than that so I should look for an easier job, very encouraging so I did, she was right. But we had some great conversations. Going to miss the time when the 2 of us would just sit down and talk about everything and anything. Not to mention, whenever I got a package in the mail with bike parts and accessories, she could almost always figure out what they were by shaking the packages. Though once she dropped the package and happened to be a bike light. I had a good time with that one, no damage but I reminded her every chance I got telling her that it had broke so she owed me a light ha ha ha! Couldn't let her get off that easy but it was great that she was even interested in my bike rides and stuff.

So yeah, she's gone, can't believe it, sad for Gina too losing her loving mother, and every time I look at this pic, she looks so alive that I feel the eyes welling up so I think she was right! Goodbye Cecee.

Sat Solo 50

Solo 50 after a busy week. Not releasing too many details right now but illness sadly hit Gina's family again. Having some issues and spending some time helping out so I was not on my bike all week.  But I did get out today planning 40 but then figured once I got on, might as well get in as much as I can taking advantage of trying to stay out of the way for a bit. 

Pretty cool dude, Sergio. Another Old Man jersey ha ha ha! Had thought about getting this one but I've seen it for a few years now, even had a t-shirt at one time. Plus, wouldn't know exactly what color to get. I see a few versions on the e-bay store where I get my jerseys. Maybe someday but I have so many jerseys now ha ha ha! But Sergio was pretty cool, friendly guy. Good sense of humor and good smile.

Kind of strange going around the shooting range hearing the guns popping. Not too fond of that trail either, Rio Hondo. I've heard that going south on that trail is better. Did get taken there once with Sandra but after a rain so part of the trail was washed out so we had a detour and not even sure if I could find my way there ha ha ha! I think I did go back once after that on my own. I remember getting so far then thinking it looked kind of ugly with some homeless camps so I turned around. But others have told me it's a nicer trail Maybe I'll have to check it out sooner or later.

Speaking of Sandra, I did see her rolling by the opposite direction near the airport on Rio Hondo, She shouted out something but with the wind and earbuds, not exactly sure what it was that she shouted. I think she may have shouted, "hey fukker!" ha ha ha! Haven't ridden with her in quite some time now. People have asked why and why Haven't I got her on video lately. Well, a bit of a difference when it comes to thoughts on safety concerns. Maybe I'm a little too cautious but I plan on staying alive and upright. She's a little more carefree than I am when it comes to attention and organization. I see things she doesn't and it scares me. Last thing you want to do is see a buddy go down at high speeds. I've seen people hit the pavement before and it is not nice. GMR descent, a buddy Jose went down near Newman's point. Ending up driving down the mountain while Gina waited with him on the side of the road. He was riding with a different group, not us for the record. We just happened to approach the scene a minute or two later. I was the closest vehicle so it made sense that I help him out. He was out cold and ended up wit a broken collar bone and broken ribs.

Another time, I was riding with a group up to Baldy Village. One dude took his hand off the bars and went down. Again, out cold, broken ribs and a concussion. Again, I drove him to meet his contact who took him to the hospital. So Sandra being very confident on the bike on high speed descents is a little careless in my opinion. Last thing I want is to have to watch her go down at 40 MPH. Yeah, we have descended at 40 MPH in the past. Heck, I know quite a few dudes that get scared at 30 MPH.  I have to say that I have seen her do things that I questioned then mentioned it and she was unaware of what I saw. Kind of scary I think. 

And I know I can be a beotch when it comes to certain safety factors on the bike. So my thoughts are that if YOU DON'T RIDE THE WAY I WANT YOU TO RIDE, THEN I'M NOT RIDING WITH YOU.

Bottom line, I don't want to see anyone get hurt and not wanting to see a friend get mangled, I stick to my guns. One dude mentioned a few years back that he noticed my little group was well organized and disciplined. He said that everyone in my group was BEANZ TRAINED ha ha ha! Yeah, I guess so and it's safe that way. Heck, even Aimee riding with us, her number one concern was to NOT GET HURT. so she fit right in and was well disciplined as well. Not that I actually train anyone, just that some riders are aware and not so careless, or should I say carefree.

I bring this up because one of the comments on YT was that too bad we don't ride together any longer as we seemed to compliment one another. Yeah, I would say she added a certain entertainment flavor to my videos but I just don't want to see her get hurt and certainly don't want to see it if it ever happens. Our discussion that was the main concern at that time was riding on GMR. You guys know if you go down on GMR,, you're getting hurt if not killed. Too bad because she is strong but like I said, I don't want any part of watching a buddy go down. Just in case someone was wondering. I know some did because of a couple of comments on the videos asking. SO that's why ha ha ha!

 The clown in the video at 8:05, not sure why people do this. Everyone knows you can see for a mile on the trail so I saw the dude up ahead. I was keeping my pace just doing my thing for exercise. I would say he was out of sight when I stopped at Thienes Park to re-fill my bottles, even mixed an electrolyte drink. He went by when I was filling my bottles. Anybody with a head start like that probably won't be caught by the time one hits the top of the trail about 7 miles away. I saw this dude about 4 miles later and I was catching him just holding my pace. I caught him about a mile before the top, after 5 miles I'm guessing. Saw him when he was way far ahead.

Eventually caught him, again just doing my thing holding a steady pace with a heart rate in the 120 and 130's. When I'm trying hard, I hit 160  so 125 is not a hard effort for me, just steady. I catch the dude and pass him, not aggressively. I leave that up to them to be butt holes ha ha ha! I pass the guy at my pace but 30 seconds later, he has something to prove I guess.

He sprints around me lifting his pace as if we had been racing. Umm ok! Well screw that, not sure why you're trying to be a hero after I caught you without too much effort. So he lifts his pace thinking he's going to drop me I guess. Shoot, let's go. I picked up my pace then rolled right by him on one of the little inclines, a series of stair stepping type of terrain. Take that MOFO! Ha ha ha! Yeah, I lifted my pace and rolled right by him with one hand and that is after pulling the recorder out of my jersey pocket, turning it on then recording the pass ha hah a! One handed pass blowing by him as he tried the standing sprint up one of the little hills. You can see my shadow holding my GoPro in my hand. The one handed pass? Guess you're not as bad ass as you thought ha ha ha. Maybe it's they see the Old Man on the jersey and think they're stronger. Crazy, I know when someone catches me from a mile behind, I'd feel like a fool and an idiot trying to compete with them. What a clown ha ha ha!

WTH is this thing? It's a tool to help a cyclist remove the rear wheel without making a mess. OK, I figure if you're so much of an idiot that you can't even remove your rear wheel without a big bulky tool like this, you shouldn't be riding ha ha ha! Who would want to carry this thing on their bike to change a flat? Saw it on facebook with great reviews, ok ha ha ha!

Saturday 41 Horseshoe or Pee-Pee Tour

 Did another 41 today. Figured I would do the Emerald Necklace course but out and back so it looks, I thought might look like a horseshoe but after looking at the map, looks more like a pee-pee ha ha ha! OK, I guess is my official name for this ride now ha ha ha!

Supposed to be warm, 90 but didn't really feel that hot. But a red flag warning advisory which means, it was probably more windy than hot. Not as windy as the other day but enough to feel in my tired legs. But a good week, 142 miles. 50, 51 and 41 miles, I'll take it. 

Have been testing various carb combinations but when you're tired and the freakin' wind never lets up, one can't be sure if one feels good or not ha ha ha! I did see quite a few riders that seemed to be struggling today. I guess it was the wind because it wasn't blazing hot as usual. My device said 85, I saw Alyce's ride and it stated 90 degrees. Kind of strange as I ride inland and she rides to the coast. So who knows? It was warm but not blazing.

But another good ride just getting in some exercise fighting the old age.

The YT video

So the course doesn't form a horseshoe, kinda more like a pee-pee ! 🤣😂🤣

Check out the bounce on these suckers! Oh sorry, did I say suckers?! 😁 I saw her earlier and she gave me a big smile, just bouncing away. So the next time I saw her, I figured I would capture her on video. I will have to say, a big girl but she had some good bounce. Check out the movement in the images. Pretty good  range of motion. 😁

A little late night snack.  Does it look tasty? It really wasn't. 😄

WOW!!! Gina and I went to a little outlet (?) Type store called Suprema lookingforsome supply type products. All kinds of different stuff. Found this bike cleaning kit for $4.99. Has a clip on chain cleaner/scrubber, chain brush, cassette brush, tube type brush, polish cloth and a few other things. Heck, I paid about $20 for the clip on chain scrubber alone about 10 years ago. And cassette brush about $10 a month ago. Gina insisted I buy it, who am I to argue? 😁

Pretty impressive for 5 bucks 👏 6 brushes. 

Lifetime Behind Bars Tour

 Solo 51miles. Life Behind Bars Tour 😁 Tried going easy but tough on the return. Didn't even look at the temp to avoid getting psyched but average 90 degrees. Really windy at the top. 9 mph at 140 heart rate 🤣

Saw new Strava buddy Emmitt again. Dude has only been riding 4 months and doing great. I was about40 miles into my ride when he came up from behind me. Lucky dude lives right near the trail entrance. I was getting a little toasted. Not by the heat but by the effort it seems. Could have been the heat sneaking up on me but not sure. But when I got to the top of the dam, oh my goodness! Did well on the dam but once hitting the nature center and above, it got so darn windy. At one point I was doing 9 mph with a pretty good heart rate. I tried to relax but it was like the wind was pushing me back. You know when you see the leaves hitting you straight head on.

Then once at the park, cops had the entrances blocked and a fire truck doing something with hoses. I thought someone had started a fire as I could smell the smoke. Later Gina told me that there was a big fire at the mouth of Azusa Cyn. Good thing I was too tired to go up ha ha ha!

I was testing some carb sources today. Usually using fig bars but reading on how to optimize the carb sources, I was informed that I should not mix my carb drink with the fig bars. Different types and the sugars will clash somehow. I know I got the main idea reading it but at this moment, I don't remember the exact terminology but just knowing not to mix them or they nullify one another. Today I tried the first bottle of Skratch carb mix, then a fig bar with water only for 30 minutes or so to give it time to digest. Heck, didn't feel anything other than tired so I'm guessing I feel better with the fast acting carb drink. So I'll fiddle around a little more with other stuff but on shorter rides I am guessing seeing this day, didn't seem to work with the combo used.

What I did forget to mention was that 2 days ago, I saw one of the homeless thugs under the pass acting like his usual crazy self. Very annoying imo as he sits there laughing tossing a ton of rocks into the path. Like 200 or 300 normal sized rocks that could be dangerous. I had seen him there on my last 3 or 4 rides just sitting there tossing them onto the trail. I even thought about stopping and taking pics on the return so that I could send them in as a complaint as I have before in other areas but same trail. I almost thought he might get stupid with me if I stopped. So I was planning my counter attack ha ha ha!

But on the return, there were cop cars with lights flashing. a big dump truck and about 5 or 6 guys in white outfit jumpsuits cleaning up the mess the thugs have made under the pass. Saw a dude dressed a little more professionally walking up from the trucks that were blocking the entire trail. I asked if it was ok to walk through. We ended up chatting and I expressed my concerns about those clowns, especially this one. I told him I had thought about taking pictures to send in the he said now that they were made aware, they had been monitoring it much closer not having realized how big of a problem it was. Yeah, I noticed a big difference and seen several trucks present over the last year or so. Much better so we chatted a bit and I thanked him for the efforts. Then stopped to chat with one of the dudes in a white suit. Must have been in charge, he asked me about my ride then we chatted a bit too. Then I also thanked him and told the guys to keep up the good work. So I'm happy as they said they have been coming around once a month to clean up the mess. Nice!

Just got this jersey yesterday. Thought it was red but looks more orange to me. Cool looks like a good traffic ride jersey being so bright. Liked it and the several others I've gotten off ebay so I ordered the blue one as well. Pretty cool scary looking jersey. Sadly delivery estimate is after Halloween.

Double Emerald Pendant Without the Clasp and A Bit More. Solo Fitty ! Cyclist Suck !!! 😂

 Solo Fitty !Started out for 40 miles but felt good so I rolled it out to 50 with the upper section for the grand finale. Pics at the Peck Rd Water Conservation Park. EMPTY, nobody there as it is closed on Mon & Tuesdays. Nice to have the park to myself but the restrooms were closed. 🩲 14 PR's, I'll take it! Did the course they call Emerald Necklace but I did it twice, once reversed and then some. The upper section of the trail for the grand finale. So I guess I would call it a double Emerald Pendant Without the Clasp and A Bit More. Easy heart rate, felt good!

The cyclist suck part? I have never been involved in a sport where the participants are so hypocritical. Always always on the forums or FB pages crying about how drivers make it dangerous for cyclists, how they disrespect cyclists, and lack patients when it comes to cyclists.

But yet, when I was starting my ride, the perfect example of my thoughts. I am on the street heading south while a group of 5 are heading north. Leaving Encanto Park, I am on my merry way when I see the group approaching the park. I have the right of way but the group starts to turn right, across my lane ON THE STREET in the opposite direction to make the driveway. The first three make it in time but the fourth and fifth riders arrive the same time I do in the area but they turn anyway in front of me, making a left turn as if at in an intersection, I have the right of way. But the cyclists turn in front of me. Isn't this the same as a car turning in front of a cyclist at an intersection who has the right of way? Yes! Freaking disrespectful idiots! This is why I hate reading all the cry baby stuff on the internet. If I was stupid enough to only see one side, then I guess I'd be one of the crybabies ha ha ha! But nope, I see both sides and think the crybabies need to open their eyes.

BTW, I have to ride on a short section of a busy road to get from one trail to the other. At a busy intersection, I saw a big screw so I leaned over, picked it up and tossed into a nearby field. Then I saw a big chunk of metal on the road a few seconds later. I picked it up and tossed it as well into the field. All in front of the traffic mostly stopped behind me. Hopefully they figure not all cyclists are butt holes ha ha ha! I know myself, I see a whole lotta respect and consideration on the road so I figure, karma knows what we do!

Surprised I felt so good after a movie yesterday with Gina, Other Mommy. The popcorn so gross that it's good ha ha ha! Shared Junior Mints and a drink. Crazy, senior prices $9 for admission, 2 of us but with the snacks, ends up being $50. Wow, talk about taking advantage of seniors ha ha ha!

A bit disappointed with the movie myself. I figured out the cause right at the beginning of the movie so it was no surprise or nothing new for me. Oh well,, Gina wanted to see it so it was a good time. Oh yeah, being like 1:30 minutes long, I told Gina I was expecting a cheesy movie kind of like those on Roku that I see pretty often. The good movies are almost 2 hours, sometimes more so 1:30, I was already expecting to be disappointed. I mean, it was ok but renting the video would have been much better than $50 ha ha ha! Plus I think microwave popcorn at home is better. 🍿

BUT !!!! The early showing, the theatre was almost empty. I think 10 other people there so it was cool having the joint mostly to ourselves.

I was actually expecting to feel like poop on the ride after yesterday. Popcorn then dinner at Red Robin which in my opinion, really sucks. I had fish and chips and Gina just a queso dip and fries. Oh yeah some shrimp. Pretty lousy dinner as far as nutrition but I think I am getting my carb intake dialed in so feeling better on the rides.

Hmmm! I never really knew there were strategies for taking in carb drinks, wafers, and, and gels until recently. When I was younger, I would just climb a mountain until my kidneys wanted to shoot our of my back. Being older I guess, I need carbs on the bike because I don't eat everything and anything like I used to do. OF course, type 2 diabetes NON MEDICATED diabetic, I try to eat better. But it seems I need more fuel while cycling 40 miles, my usual.

I always though you just ate a nutrition bar when you got hungry or when you hit your break time. I used to drink all water for the first 30 miles. Then drink a bottle of gatorade and eat a bar at break then ride back to the start, another 10 to 15 miles.

Now I see there is a strategy. Drinking a carb drink like Skratch high carb mix (least sugar drink I could find) for the first 30 minutes or so alternating with water, so carrying 2 bottles, one water, one Skratch. Sipping consistently from each keeps the carbs going through the system without any stomach issues and good absorption.

Then the waffle, eat the Honey Stinger about mid ride but DON'T DRINK THE CARB DRINK during this point as it interferes with the carb absorption and the stomach referring back to the Skratch drink. So this point, eat the waffle and drink water only to help digest the food/carbs. ONLY WATER for about 30 minutes.

Then return back to the carb drink bottle rotating with water as before.

THEN!!! The final 30minutes, WATER ONLY, no carb drink so that the remaining sugar burns and gets used through the system in order to keep the sugar count down. Pretty important part in my case not taking meds for type 2. My blood work last month was POINT 4 higher which surprised me thinking it would be lower with all the cycling but I think the fueling improperly got me. So now I know that I have to burn it out at the end of the ride cutting off the drinks on the last 30 minutes. And the Skratch stuff seems to burn clean from what I've felt. Could just be in my head but I feel it is better fuel than eating bars and solids on the ride. Maybe 1 item on the ride and the rest carb drink and as I said, Skratch being the lowest in sugar I could find with 4 grams of sugar and 4 added (whatever that means). The rest of the drinks I've considered are like 25 grams of sugar.

Too bad because the 365 drink has a starter special, like 3 pounds of powder with 5 free gels, a free flask, a free bottle, like $100 worth of stuff for $50. Useless to me but good for someone who isn't diabetic.

Wow, didn't realize there was a science behind it. I was just drinking and eating at break. Now I know the plan, pretty sure it's going to help. I have been doing close to this over the last couple of weeks having read some a week or two ago, but now it's getting more clear as to what is going on.

Pretty cool knowing how the system works and anxious to give it a try hoping to tailor my strategy so that I can keep up with all my friends.

Just reading more today with a couple of little clips but last week, read others that mention pretty much the same program and direction. Pretty cool this AI stuff, ask a question get answers and even custom tailors drink methods and programs for one's ride. Asking what my ride distance and times are, then it generates a drinking program with advice and stuff. Even tells you how many scoops to use and other stuff. 😁