The problem with all of the nutritional advice and research is that what Steve is doing is so far beyond the bounds of any nutritional study. I laugh at articles in the comic that talk about preparing for endurance events that last 6 hours!! My problems on events like PBP aren't in the first six hours and usually I'm OK in the first 26 hours - its 46 an 66 hours into the event that I find it hard - and what I've learnt comes from trial and error. So Science probably doesn't have an answer
TG is vastly more experienced that any of us in this regard, so I guess, as usual, he'll be the best placed to determine if it works.
+1
Even the recent study bu Volek and Pinney (two high fat advocates) which tested elite level ultra distance runners was only a 3 hr treadmill test.
There are so many individual variables, along with the stresses encountered(both physical and mentally) on audax/ultra running that it is impossible to extrapolate even from good scientific data. It really is a very individual thing to figure out.
While one can make a strong argument for high fat for this type of activity it doesn't suit some and at a guess for people like Kurt it probably doesn't matter. Metabolic flexibility is just another string to his bow.
On needing carbs for long steady riding,
with adaptation one needs very little. For someone fat adapted, and for whom high fat works, if attempting something like this something like this would probably work
*fasted start to day
* introduce food circa 120km-140km, fruit, choclate covered nuts, chocolate milk
* if for a flatish 300km ride at 25km/h circa 1000cals would probably be enough, with maybe 500 cals carbs in that
* Immediately after stopping carb up
* Between stopping and sleep eat as much as possible, given lots are calories are necessary adequate protein(but not so much as to kill appetite) and go mental with added fat.
For a pretty average athlete, it works for me. Bonk proof and very very low risk of GI are biggest advantages
