dried fruit

Mark Alexander

I did a search but didn't get the answer

As many will know I rode Marmotte in July. I bonked with 8 miles to go.

All my training and practice Sportif 's were fuled onm Bananas. I took sarnies sometimes but never dried fruit as i've never been a fan of it.

It has occurred to me that the reasson that I bonked was nothing to do with a cute supermodel or my endurance or preparation training. When I was in France I was unable to find what my body was used to and therefore i may have eaten the wrong thing. The only food that I can associate with both countries are dried fruits.

What are they like as a riding fuel?

idaviesmoore

Well, they're full of sugar, which is often refined. Refined sugar not the best for providing optimum sporting nutrition, I don't think

BeaconRuth

I doubt that you bonked because you ate the wrong thing. A human body which is close to bonking will accept virtually anything that's got some carbs in it. Maybe you didn't have enough of whatever you did have?

Back to the dried fruit, though, I'm not sure how sugar that occurs naturally in fruit can be 'refined', Idaviesmoore? Dried fruit will be loaded with carbohydrate, you can be sure of that, so generally speaking it's going to be excellent news during any ride. As to its GI - well that varies depending on the type of dried fruit. So if you want quick-release energy go for dates and if your want slow-release fuel go for dried apricots.

Ruth

keef66

beware also that they frequently contain sulphites as preservatives, which can have interesting effects on the digestive system. You could be spending a lot of time out of the saddle, but you won't have anyone near your back wheel.

Roadie Rods

Dried figs and prunes have helped me in the past :0)

Didn't use them on the Marmotte though - I brought everything I needed over with me from the UK to ensure I'd be eating what I knew worked for me during the event.

Scrumple

refined??? eh? Not in dried fruit!!
Bananas are more starchy and have more complex sugars.
Dried fruit are more simple sugers, so quicker hits.

Bonking is also about dehydration, and wont just be food. Also, pain can lead to shock, and puking.

Small bits of easily digestable food, with water and salts are best. Isotonic drinks, and energy fuels are easily accepted.

Don't worry, and don't search for a "cause".

neeb

Dried apricots are a great source of potassium as well as energy - worth remembering if you are sweating lots, can't get gatoraid or whatever and make your own isotonic drink with sugar and table salt. The potassium in the apricots will add the missing ingredient to keep your electrolytes topped up.

knedlicky

I’m a believer in dried fruit, although I’m not sure they bring as much as I’d like to think. But maybe I’m wrong, because dried plums (prunes) seem to be a frequent hand-out at French cyclosportives. Perhaps it depends on the quantity – just 6 raisins in one’s breakfast muesli probably make little difference.
On a ride, I like to take dried apricots for taste, and dried bananas for their placebo or real effect.

keef66 wrote:

beware also that they frequently contain sulphites as preservatives, which can have interesting effects on the digestive system.

Not all dried fruits contain sulphites as preservatives; you can get apricots without sulphites – then the dried apricots have the unappetising colour of mud but still taste okay.

And, anyway, most red wine on the market nowadays includes sulphites, so if you have no problem after several ‘petit rouges’, it’s unlikely you need to worry about sulphite-apricots.
I don’t know what you mean with “interesting effects on the digestive system”, but as far as I know, sulphite tends more to have an effect on the lung system, i.e. it might cause temporary asthma.

TheGreatGatsby

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-4-21-17797-1,00.html

Gats

Mark Alexander

I have had a recommendation of Nuun tablets to put in the water. which are very good.
it sounds good to eat, bananas for slow release and dried fruit for quick release.

To clarify, I had stomach cramps, leg/muscle cramps and wretching at the 21st hairpin. I had drunk about 6L+ of water to that point (100 miles) but noticed the lack of salt on Alp d'Huez.
I'm fine to ride after a bottle of vino... honest :roll:

making your own isotonic drink: a friend said a 50% can of coke %50 water with a pinch of salt

Roadie Rods, I did that to a point I had some bars but normally go for fresh stuff.