|   What to eat before and during ride? | Flightmedic_tim
Jul 16, 2003 5:30 PM | | Just got into mountainbiking about six months ago and I have lost a considerable amount of weight in the process (>40 lbs. I ride about 1.5 - 2 hrs about 2 days a week. My question is I eat before I go out and usually snack on a Powerbar or Cliff bar on the way to the trail, but it seems that once i'm there and for about the first 30 min in pooped and not nearly as gung ho as I was on the ride to the trail. Am I not eating enough? Am I eating the wrong stuff? I tried Cytomax in the Camelback and it did OK. Help, I want to enjoy my rides again.
Thanks.
Tim |
| try eating.... | stoom
Jul 16, 2003 7:31 PM | | If eating a powerbar or cliff bar right before the ride doesn't upset your stomach keep with it. It is critical that you hydrate before and during the ride. I found that for me the "Gu" packs work great for rides over an hour. If that doesn't work, I would look into what you are eating before the ride, like 2 hours before the ride.
Hopefully that helps some.
STOOM |
| try eating.... | Flightmedic_tim
Jul 18, 2003 8:54 AM | | Thanks for all the help. I look forward to my next ride already. |
| You might be eating too close to ride time... | Nat
Jul 17, 2003 4:01 AM | | and your blood is in your gut trying to digest that food instead of in your thighs trying to pedal the bike. Try eating at least an hour before riding, and skip that snack on the way to the trail. In addition, most people need to warm up a bit before they can ride like the wind. It takes me about 30 minutes of pedaling before I'm warm.
Hey, isn't AZFlightNurse's also named Tim? |
| Think about it... | JohnDuhh
Jul 17, 2003 5:48 AM | | 30min into your ride you are feeling sluggish. Well medically speaking it could be a number of different things, but let's just stick with nutrition. Bar-none the best source on cardiovascular training methodology is Chris Carmichael. There are numerous articles on the web about his training methods.
Carbohydrate intake, fluid intake and a good nights rest are key to breaking through the proverbial "wall" 30mins in. You should eat before, during and especially within the first 60min after you bike. The first 60mins after a strenous activity, the body is very prepared to accept any type of nutrient. Typically PowerBars are easier for your body to digest than Cliff Bars, so they are a easier on your stomach. Sports drinks like PowerAide are excellent before, during and after, but don't forget about taking in a lot of plain old water. It is just as important.
If you bike a lot I recommend the 70/15/15 diet. 70% carbs, 15% protein, 15% fat. The night before you should get at least 8 hours of good sleep. A nice pasta and shrimp dinner is a good thing to have the night before. Chicken and rice is always easy...
Just my 10cents... Hydration, sleep, proper diet and continue to fuel your body during activity. |
| Eat this !!! | milhouse
Jul 17, 2003 5:53 AM | | Normally I don't eat much before riding. I eat lunch at 1pm and ride at 5 or 6pm with sometimes a few cookies right before I ride. When I know I have to bring out the big guns I eat a beagle one hour before. When I ride during the day on weekends, I eat 2 waffles and that gives me the most energy. Just make sure you eat them and (for lack of better way of putting it) loose them before you go riding. That's my secret weapon. None of these methods sound like the healthiest alternatives, but after years of trying different foods, they work great and I managed to loose 35 pounds myself. Also I drink Gatorade during the ride. That will get me through 3 hours or 20 miles before I boink (maybe a little longer with waffles).
Also, since you said your started riding recently, as time goes on you will need less and less fuel (food). |
| you eat an entire beagle? | jcw
Jul 17, 2003 6:20 AM | | better not let the humane society find out ; ) |
| Loose the beagles! | Nat
Jul 17, 2003 6:41 AM | | That ye may frolic carefree in noonday's sun! |
| LOL (nm) | kanaka
Jul 17, 2003 6:48 AM | | |
| My bad !!! Are cats o.k.? | milhouse
Jul 17, 2003 8:57 AM | | Damn spell checker, I need grammar check too I guess. |
| Cat's are great! Less fat and easier to defurr. (nt) | Cook
Jul 17, 2003 10:11 AM | | |
| For longer rides try a German Shepard with duck sause. | Korean bike racer
Jul 17, 2003 9:03 AM | | You'll have so much extra energy after the ride you'll be ready to boink like a porn star. |
| hehe (nt) | Cook
Jul 17, 2003 10:37 AM | | |
| Clarification? | OldSchool
Jul 17, 2003 8:17 AM | | You say: "usually snack on a Powerbar or Cliff bar on the way to the trail". Are you driving or riding?
The reason I ask is that if you are not riding and eat something sweet within 1/2 hour to when you start pedaling, all that sugar may trigger an insulin spike that will then pull all that sugar out of your blood stream -- leaving you without fuel as you get into your ride. For more info, do a Search on our Riding and Training discussion board with the keyword: "insulin". This may be happening to you.
Also, check out: http://www.mtbmind.com/eating.htm
Happy trails,
Tim |
| I stuff 1/2 Powerbar in my face at the top of every big climb | litespeedchick
Jul 17, 2003 9:40 AM | | Digest it on the way down, and be re-fueled for the next climb. Of course, I also load up on massive quantities of breakfast about 2 hours before, and maybe eat 1/2 bar in the car on the way to trail like you do. Actually, come to think of it, I believe I GAIN weight on the days I ride...but I never bonk.
A little caffiene before you ride might not hurt either. |
| Try Pickled Eggs and Tins of Oysters | CrashTestDummy
Jul 18, 2003 6:03 AM | | At the bare minimum you're sure to gurantee anyone else you're riding with can't eat.... |
| Try Pickled Eggs and Tins of Oysters | Flightmedic_tim
Jul 18, 2003 8:53 AM | | Thanks guys for all the help. I look forward to my next ride already. |
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