Supplements for riding?
- Thread starter jifdave
- Start date
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festival
Über Member
The electrolyte drinks have the advantage over plain water as they stimulate thirst which keeps you drinking, the sodium in the drink allows fluids to be absorbed faster into the blood and maintain a good fluid balance.
These are fine on their own up to an hour but beyond this you will need an energy drink that offers complex carbohydrates which provide a steady release of energy.
Then there are energy gels and bars, gels usually need to be washed down with water to aid digestion.
There is a huge variety of choice and we are are all different and you need to try things to see what works for you and what your body needs in different situations.
For example, on a 2 hour steady ride with a couple of stiff climbs I would drink one bottle of electrolyte in the first hour, a banana,gel or bar on the hour followed by carbo drink in the 2nd hour with another bar or gel as a reserve in case. But that's not going to work for everyone, and longer rides need more planning,
These are fine on their own up to an hour but beyond this you will need an energy drink that offers complex carbohydrates which provide a steady release of energy.
Then there are energy gels and bars, gels usually need to be washed down with water to aid digestion.
There is a huge variety of choice and we are are all different and you need to try things to see what works for you and what your body needs in different situations.
For example, on a 2 hour steady ride with a couple of stiff climbs I would drink one bottle of electrolyte in the first hour, a banana,gel or bar on the hour followed by carbo drink in the 2nd hour with another bar or gel as a reserve in case. But that's not going to work for everyone, and longer rides need more planning,
MrJamie
Oaf on a Bike
My typical fitness rides are about 30 miles and I dont feel like i really need energy drinks or food for that distance, especially since im trying to burn calories 
When its warm i take 1.6L of water, if its hot and im sweating a lot ill also take some high5 or a bottle of lucozade lite for the salts. As said, longer rides need planning, decent eating in advance and taking extras for the journey. Everyones different though and i believe energy stores improve as you train them, so if youre new to cycling you might need more energy to get you through what to others is a short ride.
On a separate note i sometimes take some of my friends various weird pre-workout supplements you see in bodybuilding sections, for both running and cycling. Full of weird chemicals, feels like youve had 20 cups of coffee, makes your skin itch, upsets your stomach but does seem to help push you that bit harder. I wonder if anyone else on here has tried such things for cycling?
When its warm i take 1.6L of water, if its hot and im sweating a lot ill also take some high5 or a bottle of lucozade lite for the salts. As said, longer rides need planning, decent eating in advance and taking extras for the journey. Everyones different though and i believe energy stores improve as you train them, so if youre new to cycling you might need more energy to get you through what to others is a short ride.On a separate note i sometimes take some of my friends various weird pre-workout supplements you see in bodybuilding sections, for both running and cycling. Full of weird chemicals, feels like youve had 20 cups of coffee, makes your skin itch, upsets your stomach but does seem to help push you that bit harder. I wonder if anyone else on here has tried such things for cycling?
Ashtrayhead
Über Member
- Location
- Belvedere, Kent.
A nice cup of tea does the trick!
I make up my own drink of 1/3rd apple juice and the rest water and a big squeeze of honey and in another bottle, just plain water. I also try and get in as much fluid prior to starting off. I know it's not very scientific!
I make up my own drink of 1/3rd apple juice and the rest water and a big squeeze of honey and in another bottle, just plain water. I also try and get in as much fluid prior to starting off. I know it's not very scientific!
Glover Fan
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Almondsbury, Nr Bristol
Last year I made the mistake that I think a lot of cyclists make. Using energy drinks and bars when I really didn't need to. On any ride now over 40 miles I will just make sure I am eating the right foods to keep my energy up. I use two 750ml bottles full of little more than squash.
I've found no reduction in performance, but least I am safe in the knowledge I am not over consuming calories unnecessarily!
I've found no reduction in performance, but least I am safe in the knowledge I am not over consuming calories unnecessarily!
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
hi five zero works for me along with a cake stop 
T.M.H.N.E.T
Rainbows aren't just for world champions
- Location
- Northern Ireland
High 5 2-1 - Fig Rolls - Flapjacks - Gels in saddlebag/backpack when on MTB
lulubel
Über Member
- Location
- Malaga, Spain
Nuun electrolyte tablets on all rides if it's over 25 degrees. Otherwise, just plain water.
Food - cake, biscuits, cereal bars, etc - on any ride longer than 2 hours.
Food - cake, biscuits, cereal bars, etc - on any ride longer than 2 hours.
And another.
Also use their energy gels sometimes on longer rides as find they are easier to 'drink' than others. Saying that, on a 50 mile ride yesterday I stopped at a village shop after getting really hungry. They didn't have much so I just bought a banana and and a pack of jelly sweets (I always used to carry sweets until I got caught up in the belief that the gels were prob better). Munching on the sweets as I rode had me feeling great in no time and prompted me to consider that I never really feel such a noticeable benefit from the gels. Think I'll put the sweets in the jersey pocket from the off next weekend!
Strathlubnaig
Guru
- Location
- Alberta
Did a 100 miler today and after 80 miles I was suffering from regular calf and ham string cramps, really did hurt and slowed me right down, so I do not think I was drinking nearly enough, I probably only had 1.25 litres the whole ride, big learning curve, I think triple that amount would have been more like it.
