Bonking at about 35 miles

[SquareDaff]

Have recently extended my "after work" cycling to a 40 mile route. I seem to be running out of steam at about the 35 mile range. I'm guessing that I'm bonking at this point (about 2 hours ride time). Have tried "energy drinks" but they just upset my stomach and make things even worse. I assume the gels/bars will have the same effect.

Can anyone recommend anything else to eat/drink whilst riding? Or am I way off base and is "hitting the wall" is down to something else?

 

[Rob3rt]

Symptoms of thie assumed bonk inc? Don't google it, you will just convince yourself of symptoms that may not exist, just state what your symptoms are.

 

[Lee_M]

I'm sure that others will be along to disagree with me, but if you dont like energy bars I find nougat bars work well

 

[SquareDaff]

Loss of energy/drive - average speeds drop off - feeling tired even though my heart rate isn't overly high. Slight chill when I'm getting home.

 

[SquareDaff]

I do like energy bars - they don't like me. Last time I had one I got really bad stomach cramps.

 

[Rob3rt]

Loss of energy/drive - average speeds drop off - feeling tired even though my heart rate isn't overly high. Slight chill when I'm getting home.

That's not the bonk. That sounds like you need to eat more before you set off. If you want carry some malt loaf with you, or fig rolls but tbh for 2 hour's cycling you shouldn't be needing food and energy supplements. For 2 hours of hard effort I eat next to nothing and have even gone without fluids.

 

[Red Light]

Can anyone recommend anything else to eat/drink whilst riding?

Nature's energy bars - bananas. But given its a recent extension, how often are you doing this new route? Are you over-doing it and are you allowing enough rest and recuperation time between while your body adapts to performing for longer?

 

[SquareDaff]

Nature's energy bars - bananas. But given its a recent extension, how often are you doing this new route? Are you over-doing it and are you allowing enough rest and recuperation time between while your body adapts to performing for longer?

Moved up over a period of 6 weeks from 10 miles to 40 - allowing 2 weeks at each 10 mile increase. Repeat the ride 2-3 times a week with about 40-60 hours recovery time between each session. Maybe it's just that I'm old!!

 

[Rob3rt]

An hour or so before you set off, have some porridge and a glass of water. See how you get on.

 

[Red Light]

Moved up over a period of 6 weeks from 10 miles to 40 - allowing 2 weeks at each 10 mile increase. Repeat the ride 2-3 times a week with about 40-60 hours recovery time between each session. Maybe it's just that I'm old!!

I suspect you've taken on too much too soon. To ramp up from 20-30 miles a week to 80-120 miles over six weeks is probably too fast for a not-so-young body to adapt to especially if (you don't say) you are still doing the ten mile ride on the other nights. As it seems the extra distance is optional I would ramp it down to 30 miles for the time being with at least one day for recovery between each 30 mile ride and do that for a couple of months and then try throwing in the occasional 40 mile ride and see how you get on. Good luck

 

[black'n'yellow]

you're not bonking - you're just knackered from riding further than you can cope with.

 

[ianrauk]

I actually agree with Black & Yellow and Robert.
You are not bonking.
I have only seen one person bonk and it's not a pretty sight.
If you had bonked there was no way on earth you could have carried on cycling.

 

[SquareDaff]

I've always commuted about 15 miles (4x3.5 to 4 mile legs) a day (so 75 a week) to and from work and yes, I have still been doing these rides. The extra 10,20,30 and 40 miles have been in place of one set of the 7.5 mile legs (i.e. all the way home or not using the train as much). So my weekly mileage has really only increased from 75 miles a week to 140-180 miles.

Planning on attempting another 40 mile run either tomorrow or Friday. Will see how I get on with that and decide where to go from there.

 

[Lee_M]

I actually agree with Black & Yellow and Robert.
You are not bonking.
I have only seen one person bonk and it's not a pretty sight.
If you had bonked there was no way on earth you could have carried on cycling.

I would agree with that, I bonked on a steep hill in Essex (yes there is one), there was no way I could get up that hill on the bike - it was only a mile long, but took me 30 minutes to walk up it

 

[SquareDaff]

Maybe it was just the 30 miles of head wind last night and the fact I was coming down with a cold on Friday (altho I didn't know that until the Saturday) - he says, hopefully.