I have been finding some renewed joy in long training rides this year by planning routes that seem like I am biting off more than I can chew; made possible by pit stops. It has been so fun to allow myself to break up longer rides and chill out while refueling, which makes my new favorite route to the Jack Saloon outside of Lolo, Montana.
After mixed terrain and a pretty grueling gravel climb, you get to descent to a log cabin bar with the best fried green beans and loaded tater tots in western Montana. It has been so nice to take a dip in the creek, have a cold beer, and mentally recharge before finishing the last tough handful of miles. If you haven’t incorporated extended rest stops into your long rides yet, it’s just the thing to make those really tough long days feel a little less taxing.
My favorite Eliel pieces right now are the Laguna Seca Endurance bibs, for those long rides where I need to hold some extra snacks in those cargo pockets. The Performance Jersey is my pick to go along with it, wicking really nicely on hot days to help me stay cool.
Happy snacking, Eliel fam.