Just one more question, Energy food ?

Johny-B

Sorry to ask so many q's as soon as i get on here, but was also wondering. Do any of you have advice on possible energy foods/drinks. I honestly don't know quick release energy foods from slow release energy foods and some drinks seem to be all sugar possibly. Do you eat anything special before cycling to give you more energy, if so what and how long before? (I promise to give it a rest after this question, don't want to be a pain)

supersonic

There is some very good info in the Health and Fitness section here that goes into food detail.

It all depends on the type of carbs. Simple sugars get absorbed quickly into the blood stream, more complex carbs do so slower. But you have to look at hydration too. Have a scan through that forum, probably find all you need to know!

cooldad

Depends on the ride. I always just take water in my camelbak. Couple of muesli type bars. Stop for a sarmie if it's a long ride.
And eat lots of bacon beforehand.

Majski

I find the high 5 zero tablets that make a litre of drink are good, just dont put them in your camelbak it tastes gross. That and bananas

paul.skibum

For a 2-3 hour ride I tend to just take water (maybe a trail bar if its an odd time - as in not recently after breakfast or lunch).

Longer than that definitely trail bars, I tried additives to water but in a camelback they screw with the reservoir if you are not ultra careful cleaning and storing (which I am not - mine is currently going septic in the boot of my car).

Otherwise trail mix, bananas (hard to carry) or malt loaf.

drtobiasfunke

For a pre ride snack i like a slice of bread covered in jam and peanut butter.
You can even roll them up like a swiss roll and wrap in foil or cling film and take with you as a cheap energy source.

As for drinks if i take anything other than water i sometimes knock up a homemade electrolyte drink as im a cheap ass :P
Something like this http://cheekybumsblog.com/2012/04/03/li ... pedialyte/

njee20

I find the high 5 zero tablets that make a litre of drink are good

They're just electrolytes though, will keep you hydrated better, but do nothing to give you energy.

I'd not bother with anything other than water for a ride under 3 hours, if it's over that I often use an energy drink (generally High 5 Source) if it's going to be a particularly hard ride, but otherwise don't tend to bother.

Many people totally over estimate the amount of energy they need - hence all the overweight mountain bikers!

Cake stop mid ride is the best solution.

supersonic

I did a three hour ride last week and just took water... it was a hard ride and I bonked towards the end. Always take some energy stuff!

Rushmore

This is what I do before during and after long rides, training or racing..

Before: SiS Go carbohydrate drink
During: High 5 zero tablets and SiS carb Gels ( if needed )
After: SiS Rego recovery shake immediately after training.

felix.london

For long 2+hr climbs I'll have a Power Bar before I set out. Home made Isotonic drink for hydration during the climb. Poss have a energy gel if I'm flagging near the top, plain water on the way down and a Protien bar when I get in. Then do it all again the next day

If I'm doing a day/session of DH - it's 2x pain au chocolate in the car in the morning and a slice of pizza at lunch time (obviously with a couple of Camelbak's full of water throughout the day)

bennett_346

Peanut butter sandwiches.

Briggo

All dayers -

Before ride nice bacon sarny and bowl of porridge with honey
High5 tablets in the water
Couple of elevenses bars for mid ride
Bag of jelly babies for quick hit energy for emergency anti bonk situations
Jam sandwich and some cake for lunch
Post ride - High5 recovery protein shake & nice pasta type dish later

spr wheelie

on a long phys session id go with a cereal bar or a bannanna

Johny-B

Thanks all for the advice. I usually have peanut butter and jam on toast, at home obviously before going out (seperate toast, not all on one, don't know if toast is good or bad). I also love bananas and eat them regularly.
Did read somewhere that peanut butter doesn't digest easily, but i don't find a problem with it.
Porridge and honey sound good, and a couple of people have mentioned Jelly Babies.
Thanks again, it gives me things to work on and I'll look into the other stuff like tablets and gels.
I need to drink more water too !!!

YeehaaMcgee

Gels give me bad farts, and the craps.
Flapjacks, or jelly babies, now you're talking!

Briggo

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Gels give me bad farts, and the craps.
Flapjacks, or jelly babies, now you're talking!

Let alone the fact they give bad craps, they taste friggin disgusting and I've tried a fair few.

Flapjacks/Jelly babies > Most things.

bennett_346

Jelly babies are minging.

There, i said it.

bwfc4eva868

Behave! Jelly babies are lovely. The black and red ones are gorgeous.

CYCLESPORT1

Have a look at this new to the uk sports food, I am just about to try it:
http://www.sponseruk.com/

cooldad

CYCLESPORT1 wrote:

Have a look at this new to the uk sports food, I am just about to try it:
http://www.sponseruk.com/

Your new employer?

Darkstalker420

Love it!! registers as CYCLESPORT1 then mentions he is just "going to try it" LMFAO :roll: . I try to get some pasta down me a few hours before riding if poss (carbs). Then try some to get some protein in you after (chicken maybe?). Usually just drink straight water during (have tried a few of the High5 CRC "freebie" zero tabs and they tasted ok i guess).

Didn't turn me into <insert famous XC rider> so meh . Water will probably do most the time.

Thanks.

Daz555

Normal ride - bacon sandwich before hand.
Long ride - bacon and egg sandwich before hand.

CYCLESPORT1

Totaly wrong Darkstalker - I did try it on sunday for the first time, 500ml drink and a bar, did 40 miles and still had something left in the bag at the end, so well pleased.

Darkstalker420 wrote:

Love it!! registers as CYCLESPORT1 then mentions he is just "going to try it" LMFAO :roll: . I try to get some pasta down me a few hours before riding if poss (carbs). Then try some to get some protein in you after (chicken maybe?). Usually just drink straight water during (have tried a few of the High5 CRC "freebie" zero tabs and they tasted ok i guess).

Didn't turn me into <insert famous XC rider> so meh . Water will probably do most the time.

Thanks.

jakjtb

i was told to load up on carbs as those are what your body runs on and finds fuel from. you can take some energy bars with you, found in body active shops or similar etc, as these are a quick source of energy during the ride that will also make you feel full.
try not to load up on red bull or similar products as these are just a short rush and will end in a sugar crash and will fatigue you very very quickly

brindlescoops

Well according to this weeks panaorama (still on iplayer) they are all a waste of money and will stop you getting fitter!

Bigchris

Why anyone uses these friggin sports drinks to "replace" electrolytes i don't know...

Just google electrolyte sources, and click any of the tabs.

And you pay what..? :S

t.m.h.n.e.t

BrindleScoops wrote:

Well according to this weeks panaorama (still on iplayer) they are all a waste of money and will stop you getting fitter!

Please tell me you're not being serious.

YeehaaMcgee

T.M.H.N.E.T wrote:

BrindleScoops wrote:

Well according to this weeks panaorama (still on iplayer) they are all a waste of money and will stop you getting fitter!

Please tell me you're not being serious.

Yes, he is. We are.
What is your beef with this?

t.m.h.n.e.t

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

T.M.H.N.E.T wrote:

BrindleScoops wrote:

Well according to this weeks panaorama (still on iplayer) they are all a waste of money and will stop you getting fitter!

Please tell me you're not being serious.

Yes, he is. We are.
What is your beef with this?

Well it's wrong for a start.

YeehaaMcgee

Explain yourself.

t.m.h.n.e.t

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Explain yourself.

It's easy. Cycling MTB or otherwise is generally an endurance sport. The documentary wasn't based on this, it was based on people who half-assedly exercise for 30mins 3times a week. These people DO NOT need anything but water and especially DO NOT need drinks with carbs in them.

It failed entirely to mention endurance sports in more than a passing comment.

Emphasis was also placed on Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's which are part of proteins) which no evidence was found that could prove if they work. But naturally pretty much everyone instantly jumped on the protein shakes don't work bandwagon that was already travelling at millions of MPH.

Truth is protein shakes although not mentioned in the documentary do work, but do you need them? Absolutely NOT if your diet is substantial enough.