Dakota Five-O Is Next Week — Here’s How We’d Fuel It
If you’re racing the Dakota Five-O next week, you already know what you’re getting into. Fifty miles of Black Hills singletrack, some brutal climbing, and enough dust and exposure to remind you why you trained all summer. It’s a bucket-list race for a reason and how you fuel it can make or break your day out there.
We’re based in Spearfish, so the Five-O is basically our backyard race. We see riders come through every year, and the ones who struggle almost always have the same problem: they didn’t take nutrition seriously enough until it was too late. So here’s what we’d actually put in our bags if we were toeing the line next Saturday.
Creatine - Start Now If You Haven’t
Okay, ideally you’ve been loading creatine for a few weeks. But even starting now is better than nothing. Creatine helps your muscles produce more power, and on a race with climbs like the Five-O has, that matters. We’ve been loving the Frontline Creatine Gummies lately full 5g clinical dose, naturally flavored, and honestly just easy to take every day without thinking about it. No powder to scoop at 5am. Just grab a gummy and go.
Your Bottles Are Going to Make or Break You
This is where most people either nail it or fall apart. Three to six hours on the bike means you need to be taking in carbohydrates consistently not just when you feel like it, not just at aid stations. GlycoFuel is what we’d mix in our bottles. It’s built for exactly this kind of effort fast-absorbing carbs that don’t sit heavy in your stomach, even when you’re deep in the hurt box. We’ve heard way too many horror stories about people cramping up on gel-only strategies. Mix your bottles, sip every 15 minutes, and don’t wait until you’re bonking to start fueling.
Electrolytes - Don’t Skip This
Late August in the Black Hills can get warm and exposed in spots. You’re going to sweat more than you think, and when sodium and potassium drop, cramps show up fast. Hydration is our go-to electrolyte formula it’s got a solid sodium hit (520mg), potassium, magnesium, calcium, the whole lineup. And it actually tastes good, which matters when you’re trying to drink enough of it. Grape Freeze or Juicy Watermelon both solid on a hot day.
The Simple Race Day Plan
Don’t overthink it. The night before, hydrate well and get an electrolyte serving in with dinner. Morning of, eat a real breakfast, don’t skip it. Mix your bottles with GlycoFuel before you leave the car. Sip consistently on course. When you cross the finish line, get electrolytes and protein in within the hour your legs will thank you Sunday morning.
Come See Us Before You Head to the Start Line
We’re in Spearfish, a few minutes from the race. If you need anything before Saturday — come in, grab what you need, and we’ll point you in the right direction. We love this race and we love seeing local athletes crush it.
Ride hard. Fuel smart. Good luck out there.
