Tailwind...

Getting up to Santiago Peak under your own power is an awesome goal...

As far as your Tailwind/nutrient questions, I agree with the others. Tailwind really isn't for a "normal" ride. I don't use it if I'm just going to knock out 20 miles and a couple thousand feet (your normal is different...). I might throw some Grape Propel in a bottle and head out. Maybe plain water... If it's 100 degrees, though, I might throw a scoop or two in. It's all trial and error.

What Tailwind (and all the other products...)is really for are the rides where you are pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone- Like a ride to the Peak. There are guys on this forum who could knock out a peak run with a bottle of plain water and be fine. For us mortals, however, we need to replenish. Realistically, you are going to be pedaling uphill for 4+ hours... Maybe more. That means taking in calories, sodium, potassium, and magnesium along the way. I like Tailwind, because I can take it all in at a steady rate, and I've done enough experimenting that I know how much to use for most rides. I still screw up... Like this weekend when I cramped in both legs at 9,000 feet. Drink every 15 minutes or so, and I usually get what I need. You might want to take real food... Whatever works for you. I think the simplicity of Tailwind is hard to beat.

But, as Scissors says above, I'd give something like Maple Springs a try first. Maybe Black Star, which is slightly easier... Climbing one of them is roughly half of what it will take to reach the peak. Prep a nutrition plan, knock it out, and you'll know how you stand for the full ride. The long sustained mountain climbs are different animals than the local park climbs and they take some getting used to.

 

I just listened thanks for shareing.

 

But check with doc first and tell him exactly what you're attempting.[/QUOTE]
Ditto on this!!! Considering your kidney function

 

Absolutely. Run through your various nutritional/electrolyte replacement ideas and see what the doc thinks in regards to your personal situation. Tailwind might be too much, whereas enduralytes could be helpful. Cooler weather will be helpful too.

 

And whatever else you do, for (insert favored deity)'s sake, do NOT pay any attention to how long it takes, other than to regulate your fluid intake.

That will come later.

 

I'm on the other end of the spectrum, after not riding for 5 months and not being in decent shape for awhile before that. Tailwind is great for me because every ride I want to do is out of my body's comfort zone. Steep climbs on every trail I like, and you gotta pedal a certain speed or you're gonna fall over. So I stay on the bike and grind it out as much as possible. And TW keeps my out-of-shape muscles from freaking out.

 

Or beer...it's all about personal preference.

And the PC Police will step in if we become judgmental.

 

Uh, It actually is... but the rest are just opinions...

 

And @dustyyoungblood, when you're ready to head up that mountain...no matter how far you plan on going...give a shout out. I'd be happy to join in. It always seems easier when you're shooting the breeze and not paying attention to how steep the climb is.

 

Thanks. I'll make a trial up black star or maple in November to gauge things.

 

So what’s your plan for coming back down once you get up there? You have some fun options...

 

The go juice arrived in a box from backcountry. Stand by for results. I'll try to pull a double day on Friday.

 

If you order it from the Tailwind folks themselves, they put your name on the bag where the line is!!! Makes you faster.

 

Just ordered direct from TW my replenishment of Tailwind(s) and also the 7 serving pack for variation.
Yep, my name will be on the bag, a nice note from the staff and of course my appreciation for them taking the time to add that. That personal touch is lost today on all the online purchases, think of it as the "Thank You, your business is appreciated" that you get when shopping at a store with real people helping you.

 

I read this again and laughed even harder!

 

Just got some from IMTBGEAR with my name on the bag, did NOT make me faster!

 

You need to eat a bunch of fish tacos first!

 

Oh, Okay, thanks for the advice, I will try it this weekend

 

@DangerDirtyD is the LAST person you want to take advice from in regards to Fish Taco's before a ride... I know.

 

Fish tacos and Tailwind....literally.

 

From what I gather eating fish tacos and consuming tailwinds is a safer bet than eating tide pods.

 

Yes but he eat more chicken any man ever seen.

 

Backcountry apparently totally SUCKS!
imtbgear and Tailwinds writes your name on the bag to personalize and appreciate your patronage.

...and although my cohort here suggests an increase in speed... In reality you do gain supah powers to ride longer (and not puke Fish Tacos and Tailwind on that ride).


just sayin'

 

That popped up in my playlist yesterday!

 

Does anyone know ( @mtnbikej ) how the GU Roctane Mix compares to the Tailwind? Ingredients and such. I've used Roctane several times and it does seem to help me, I have a good friend that is sponsored by the GU so she gave me a big tub of it, and the Summit Tea is pretty tasty!

 

The thing that would make me steer clear is the first ingredient on the label: maltodextrin. I used to get the gut bomb with just about everything I tried, and they all shared that type of starch in common. Tailwind is about the only one without it, and I've never had the gut bomb with it. But... If I scored a free tub, I'd use it!

 

Tailwindz also works well as a cleaning agent. Drink up and clean stuff you never have.

 

I mixed some in my 24oz. bottle for the climb up Thomas Mtn to the Ramona Trailhead the other week, I felt no gut bombing going on with me on the climb....maybe my old school Roach Coach days hardend my belly up! LOL

 

@dustyyoungblood - Any progress on your goal of getting to the peak?

 

I haven't used the drink mix.....back in the day tried the Gel, but it was much too strong.

I don't like that they rely so much on Caffeine.....3 out of the 4 flavors have it.