commuting nutrition

Harry B

I find that my daily commute can vary quite widely in how fast I go and how much energy I seem to have. I am putting this down to what I've eaten during the day and as I sit here eating a flapjack and banana before I head off in an hour I thought I'd get some idea of what the rest of you do before heading home, so:

1. do you consume anything in the afternoon, if so what and is this in preparation for evening commute?
2. do you have any other forms of preparation?

I was thinking of asking about toilet habits (you kniw what I mean, lightening the load so to speak :oops: ) but I thought I'd better not

ince

I get a Banana in about an hr before I head off. I also start drinking more water in the later part of the afternoon.

Never hurts to drop the kids off at the pool before you head out.

Rich158

I did go through a phase of taking in sandwiches for the afternoon, or alternatively cake, but I think it was abit of overkill. I try to just munch on a couple of pieces of fruit through the afternoon now which seems to do the trick. If I don't have anything it definately affects me, I've come pretty close to bonking on a couple of occasions on the way home, which wasn't fun.

girv73

1. I'll have some fruit, normally a banana, or maybe a choccy bar if I've had a bad day, and yes it's in preparation for the cycle. I'd usually have it an hour or so before I go.

2a. When I get in from a cycle (either at home or at work) I make sure I down some protein and carbs pretty quickly. In the morning, this is porridge with fruit & nuts, in the evening it's some milk and a biscuit before making the evening meal. I'll usually have a big glass of milk with dinner too. I find it helps with recovery.

2b. I make sure I drink plenty of water during the day, as I'm a coffee fiend and end up dehydrated if I don't watch it.

salsajake

My body always 'offloads' in the morning just before I want to head out, which is great as I normally have undershorts, tights and baggies that I need to take off, which also involves taking off the microfleece and the jersey too!

Depends on your miles, I ride 35 miles a day, so I have a big pasta lunch or full baguette, packet of crisps, chocolate bar, couple of pieces of fruit and so on as the day goes on, so I try not to hit any 'lulls'. Have a bottle of water in the last 2 hours or so before you get on the bike too, that makes a big difference. I often snack on a few nuts that I keep in my desk drawer first thing in the morning for an energy boost and a bit of protein.

In the summer I drink PSP22 whilst riding - and that seems to make a big difference - if you ever find yourself sucking on an empty water bottle and find it just seems thin and unsatisying, try it, you won't be disappointed. For some reason I can't be bothered with it in the winter though, water seems to do the trick. (Plus PSP22 is frighteningly expensive).

But yes, food will make a massive difference and if you feel that you are running against a wall or your legs just die under you and you can't up the tempo, despite there being no pain, I put that down to lack of fuel, not lack of muscle.

Clever Pun

as the week wears on I'll eat a banana before heading home... other than that nothing out of my usual routine

salsajake

Big glass of Mars milk straight from the fridge as soon as I get home. Not sure about the scientific blurb on the side, but damn it feels so right!

Rich158

salsajake wrote:

My body always 'offloads' in the morning just before I want to head out, which is great as I normally have undershorts, tights and baggies that I need to take off, which also involves taking off the microfleece and the jersey too!

and i thought that was just me :roll:

Harry B

salsajake wrote:

Big glass of Mars milk straight from the fridge as soon as I get home. Not sure about the scientific blurb on the side, but damn it feels so right!

Mines usually a large Stella :shock:

salsajake

realised this morning I should just bumble about in a dressing gown in the morning and leave my cycling gear next to the toilet ready for the depart. Hmmm, I could even put my socks on whilst...

Rich158

Makes no difference to me, it's like an inbuilt reflex, as soon as I get the bib shorts, bib tights, base layer, mid layer and thermal layer all on my stomach/bladder say's oh no you don't :roll:

biondino

Rich, perhaps your signature might give you a clue as to why this happens...

Rich158

And I'd put it down to the creeping hands of old father time

Just don't ride behind me :shock:

FyPunK

Myself, eat a banana around an hour'ish before and take on cups of water, I always keep a cerial bar in my jacket pocket for those 50mph+ headwinds we get from time to time here. Commute is 6.5 miles.

cjcp

Trying to lose a few pounds at the moment, so it's toast for breakfast, soup without bread for lunch, a banana or two in the morning and one in the afternoon. Once I get to work in the morning, I have a Lucozade and a For Goodness Shakes. Because I'm a sucker for gimmicky marketing things. :P

RyanB

Once I get to work in the morning, I have a Lucozade

Are you sure thats wise if you're trying to lose a few pounds?

cjcp

RyanB wrote:

Once I get to work in the morning, I have a Lucozade

Are you sure thats wise if you're trying to lose a few pounds?

I've absolutely no idea! I've got a 15mile each way commute and don't like to hang around, so I figured I'd need some energy.

How about Jaffa Cakes?

salsajake

Can't imagine a lucozade doing much for you at all really, glass of milk might be more beneficial

salsajake

if you are riding 30 miles a day, quickly, I doubt your mentioned diet will be enough to eat, even if you are losing weight! Then again, if you aren't suffering from it, why not!

cjcp

I tend to eat a bit when I get home

I'll try the glass of milk option. Cheers.