Carbs, Electrolytes, Dizzyness, Seeing stars....
Trickyupnorth
Posts: 65
I've read so many pages of old posts that my eyes are beginning to bleed :shock:
Because I've read so many, I think I'm getting confused about a few things. If anyone can sort it out and tell me what's what it'd be much appreciated.....
When I go out on my bike I sweat. The longer I'm out and the more effort I put in, the more I sweat. Through this process I'm losing electrolytes which need to be replaced. These can be replaced whilst riding through either plain water with nuun tablets in, or through a powder that can be mixed with water. The powder is carbs and electrolytes.
I need carbs because they give me the energy I need to actually pedal. If I didn't have carbs whilst riding then eventually I'd use up what my body has stored and I'd 'bonk' and not be able to go further. I have to be careful how much carbs I take in because any that are 'unused' during the ride will be stored by my body and I'll put on weight.
The longer I'm out, 2 hours or more, I should take some food with me as well as the above mentioned drinks.
When I get back I can have a 'recovery' drink which will help me/my muscles recover sufficiently enough so that I can do it again tomorrow. If I don't have a recovery drink then I should eat a meal of carbs (1g per kg of bodyweight) and protein within 2 hours of my ride finishing.
I have experienced the dizzyness/seeing stars phenomena before, which I think has something to do with the above?
Am I close, and will someone point out the mistakes please?
Apologies for the long post
Richie
Because I've read so many, I think I'm getting confused about a few things. If anyone can sort it out and tell me what's what it'd be much appreciated.....
When I go out on my bike I sweat. The longer I'm out and the more effort I put in, the more I sweat. Through this process I'm losing electrolytes which need to be replaced. These can be replaced whilst riding through either plain water with nuun tablets in, or through a powder that can be mixed with water. The powder is carbs and electrolytes.
I need carbs because they give me the energy I need to actually pedal. If I didn't have carbs whilst riding then eventually I'd use up what my body has stored and I'd 'bonk' and not be able to go further. I have to be careful how much carbs I take in because any that are 'unused' during the ride will be stored by my body and I'll put on weight.
The longer I'm out, 2 hours or more, I should take some food with me as well as the above mentioned drinks.
When I get back I can have a 'recovery' drink which will help me/my muscles recover sufficiently enough so that I can do it again tomorrow. If I don't have a recovery drink then I should eat a meal of carbs (1g per kg of bodyweight) and protein within 2 hours of my ride finishing.
I have experienced the dizzyness/seeing stars phenomena before, which I think has something to do with the above?
Am I close, and will someone point out the mistakes please?
Apologies for the long post
Richie
0
Comments
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Not sure about the dizzyness.
The rest looks spot on.Rich0 -
good summary - very handy and i can identify with all of it including the dizzyness.
gats0 -
What you have summarised is spot on - just looks like you over did it a bit.
I bonked yesterday on a bit of a rough ride. It was my own fault because as I turned around at the halfwaypoint i just popped a dextrose tab, rather than eating something more solid.
I use a lot of energy and sweat a LOT on a ride - thats just me. I have learnt to replace both with suitable food and drink combos matched to the ride length and expected intensity, but yesterday I broke my own rules :shock:
.
Going up the last hill I saw 'stars', got tunnel vision and wanted desperately to fall off and lie peacefully on the grass verge. I made it to the top, just, trembling like a jelly and stopped for a refuel and re-arm, after which I got home. ('Malties' are the only thing after this kind of bonk...)
Mistakes are how I learnt what to do for my riding habits and I suspect it was a bit of a learning curve for you. Bet you don't do it again...
Spring!
Singlespeeds in town rule.0
