Espresso Befor Training

Ricardo H
Ricardo H Posts: 167
edited December 2008 in Training, fitness and health
I read an interview with Russell Downing in CW a few months back, and he said that he would often have an espresso befor a training ride.
Felt a bit sluggish this morning so i thought i would give it a go. Felt alot better once on the road, not sure if it was the caffein hit that did it though.
Any one else heard of / tried this.

Comments

  • Blonde
    Blonde Posts: 3,188
    edited December 2008
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7797132.stm

    Men more effected than women by caffeine, but it depends how responsive the individual is too - the more you usually drink, the less you will feel it's effects. Siome sports drinks and some bars and gels contain caffeine for the reason you've noted. Caffeinated Cola will aslo have this effect - depending on how sensitive you are to the lower amount that is in it, than is typically found in coffee. I personally avoid drinking large amounts of caffeine as it can lead to surges and then corresponding dips in energy levels. I have read that caffeine can encourage sugar to be suddenly released into the bloodstream in large amounts, leading to sugar spikes and corresponding troughs which will also adversely effect performance on the bike, particularly on longer rides.
  • 8can
    8can Posts: 34
    For the love of god man. It's espresso.
  • Blonde
    Blonde Posts: 3,188
    Well it is nice. We have a Gaggia machine at home... one or two a day is enough for health reasons, but I would drink it all day if I could!
  • grimpeur
    grimpeur Posts: 230
    Beat me too it 8can!
  • 8can
    8can Posts: 34
    Apologies, but it is one of my pet peeves. :twisted: :twisted:
  • Blonde
    Blonde Posts: 3,188
    What is; coffee, or people going on about it?
  • terongi
    terongi Posts: 318
    Blonde wrote:
    What is; coffee, or people going on about it?

    Blonde,

    I think 8can is referring to the spelling.

    It's e"S"presso not e"X"presso.

    You can use this knowledge to spot a real Italian restaurant/cafe from a fake one.
  • terongi
    terongi Posts: 318
    Oh also, is it just me or do we really need a scientific study to tell us that some strong coffee stops you feeling "sluggish" in the mornings?
  • nickwill
    nickwill Posts: 2,735
    Blonde wrote:
    Well it is nice. We have a Gaggia machine at home... one or two a day is enough for health reasons, but I would drink it all day if I could!

    So do I, and I do !
    http://lakescyclist.wordpress.com/
  • Murr X
    Murr X Posts: 258
    Blonde wrote:
    I have read that caffeine can encourage sugar to be suddenly released into the bloodstream in large amounts, leading to sugar spikes and corresponding troughs which will also adversely effect performance on the bike, particularly on longer rides.
    Caffeine is particulary useful on long rides as it has a glycogen sparing effect on the muscles. Remember that caffeine has a long half life (5-7 hours) therefore staying in the system for a good while - often MUCH longer than you want. LOL. Its not fun trying to get to sleep after an evening race when so much of it is still in the bloodstream.

    As many of you already know caffeine used to be a banned simulant and may well be in the future like other stimulants in competition.
  • Ricardo H
    Ricardo H Posts: 167
    i think the christmas tension is getting to too many people on this forum, maybe they've had too many espresso's

    I stand corrected on my spelling, and yes we do need a scientific study on the topic.

    I'm off to the pub for a bit of christmas cheer.
  • jocksyboy
    jocksyboy Posts: 135
    Anyone else get a little edgy with too much Espresso?
    When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. ~H.G. Wells
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,553
    jocksyboy wrote:
    Anyone else get a little edgy with too much Espresso?
    A friend of mine moved to Canada about 15 years ago and got a temporary job in a coffee shop whilst looking for full time employment. His comment at the time on drinking too many espressos stuck with me ever since, "I was so wired I was catching things before I dropped them!".

    :D
  • DaveyL
    DaveyL Posts: 5,167
    Ricardo H wrote:
    i think the christmas tension is getting to too many people on this forum, maybe they've had too many espresso's

    I stand corrected on my spelling, and yes we do need a scientific study on the topic.

    I'm off to the pub for a bit of christmas cheer.

    No apostrophe for plurals, dammit!

    :D
    Le Blaireau (1)
  • andrewgturnbull
    andrewgturnbull Posts: 3,861
    Blonde wrote:
    the more you usually drink, the less you will feel it's effects

    Hi there.

    This cuts both ways... The more you usually drink the more you need that espresso just to get you back up to 'normal' levels...

    [Currently drinking a coffee before going out to the athletics club - xmas handicap 3 mile race tonight]

    Cheers, Andy
    http://www.andyturnbull.co.uk
    http://www.stirlingtri.co.uk
  • Ricardo H
    Ricardo H Posts: 167
    spelling and grammar were never my strong points. Spent to much time hanging out with shaved men in tight fitting clothes when i should have been at school.
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,780
    I love te smell of Illy in the morning -smells like victory !!!

    LOL
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • renard
    renard Posts: 51
    I remember reading Reg Harris's autobiography when I was in school in the early 80's.

    He wrote that he would have a coffee before a big sprint match because it would increase his heart rate.
  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    Ricardo H wrote:
    I stand corrected on my spelling, and yes we do need a scientific study on the topic.
    Or you could just search for the existing scientific literature which shows the well documented ergogenic effects of caffeine in endurance cycling performance.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • chill123
    chill123 Posts: 210
    i always fire in an espresso before a ride, definitly helps me.

    if you need an espresso get a bialetti - very cheap, good results.
    Garmin 800 Review
  • chocolateboy
    chocolateboy Posts: 47
    bialetti - you mean the stove top espresso machines? I have one and I confess I've never managed a decent cup out of it, regardless of much I do/don't tamper or how fast/slow I boil the water [OK I don't grind my own beans, I know, I know...].

    So want a Gaggia...
  • Ricardo H
    Ricardo H Posts: 167
    yes i have got a bialetti. got it a few years back after i did some work for an opera singer one winter. he would get a large pot on every morning, and it would get us fired up to do some work.

    They do'nt make it as good as a top range machine but it always does the trick for me. Have you made sure you have'nt dropped the rubber seal, mine is always falling out.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    I expect you know, its all in the grind and the tamp! But a bialetti will never compete with a pump machine as it can't get the pressure.

    I had a Gaggia Classic for about a year before I learned how to make a good coffee out of it. 1) Let it warm up for at least 1/2 hour, 2) use a good grinder (a burr grinder with adjustable grind), get the grain size just right, 3) tamp so that in combo with the right grind the shot takes about 20 seconds. I now get a great coffee most of the time. There is some trial and error to get to this point, but once sussed it is easy to replicate.

    Many enthusiasts would suggest spending as much on the grinder as the espresso machine.

    Coffee-Radar forum :Dhttp://www.home-barista.com/forums/
  • chocolateboy
    chocolateboy Posts: 47
    Hmmm, all my seals seem well and truly fixed to the pot so either its OK or it fell out ages ago and I haven't noticed! I bought it at a great kitchen shop in Bath who said they stocked replacement seals so perhaps I'll pop in and check next time I'm down there.

    Thanks for the pointer.

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