Cycling specific protein

steve_kay

Apologies if this has been mentioned or asked before, I couldn't find anything when I searched. I have been using High5 protein recovery for the past few months and I'm extremely impressed with it to be honest. I'm almost at the bottom of the tub and have been looking at buying some more. The issue I have is the price. At £26.99 for 1.6 kg, it isn't the cheapest of things to buy. Especially when you compare the cost to whey protein that is marketed towards weightlifting. I've had a look and you can buy whey protein in a 5 kg tub for £35. My question is this: Is there any real difference between whey protein marketed towards weightlifting and that marketed for cycling? I'm aware that the cycling powder contains carbs for replenishing glycogen stores. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Steve

meanredspider

I think the answer is No. If you need carbs, eat some carbs as well - it has to be the easiest food to access.

steve_kay

I thought not. The only perks I found with having carbs in the protein was that I'm not a huge fan of eating shortly after a ride, hence why having it in a shake was ideal.

phreak

Unless you're training again within 24 hours then you probably don't need a quick 'recovery meal' anyway as you can replenish your muscles in that timeframe via your normal diet.

meanredspider

Steve_kay wrote:

I thought not. The only perks I found with having carbs in the protein was that I'm not a huge fan of eating shortly after a ride, hence why having it in a shake was ideal.

If you search you'll find hundreds of suggestions for recovery including cereal or chocolate milk (both of which are very well matched for protein and carbs). You could just try chocolate milk if you don't like eating. I think you only need carbs soon after a ride as you have a window where it will help glycogen recovery. Your body will use protein when it can get it.

JayKosta

I use inexpensive plain whey protein powder (vanilla flavor is my choice) mixed with Gatorade powder (or liquid) for carbs.

There are some types of whey protein that have a little less fat, but I don't think it is worth extra expense...

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

sungod

after hard training/rides i use the high5 choc protein recovery with water

compared to mixing the equivalent protein+carbs with milk+cocoa etc. it works out maybe twice the price per serving, but as milk makes me feel sick, and the high5 is convenient i'm not really fussed about that

over the years i've tried other brands, but found none as palatable (though high5 changed the recipe for the worse some time in the last year), obviously that's down to individual taste

steve_kay

sungod wrote:

after hard training/rides i use the high5 choc protein recovery with water

compared to mixing the equivalent protein+carbs with milk+cocoa etc. it works out maybe twice the price per serving, but as milk makes me feel sick, and the high5 is convenient i'm not really fussed about that

over the years i've tried other brands, but found none as palatable (though high5 changed the recipe for the worse some time in the last year), obviously that's down to individual taste

Yeah that's the same stuff I use. I just find it's a bit pricey when compared to other protein available. To be honest, I may just stick to what I know and pay the price. At least I know it works and I like the taste of it

ugo.santalucia

Do you train that hard to need protein for recovery? You might struggle to keep your weight under control if you keep gorging on the stuff.
I am cycling around 900 miles a month and struggle to keep the weight down even without any additive... :?

steve_kay

I ride around 600 miles a month but because of the hilly area I live in, I find I'm having huge climbs to get any decent distance in on longer rides. I take it to replace glycogen stores and stop muscle soreness for the next day. Plus, I only take it after rides of 3 hours or more and only drink it with water

jgsi

I just dont get this all pervading assumption that just because you live in a 'hilly area' you actually expend more effort... more exertion.. etc etc... that needs to be 'repaired' If hills are taking that much of a toll.. have a look at your gearing.. and once only fix instead of 25 quid a fortnight on a plastic bucket.
Not having a pop as such.. ok as you are not alone in propagating the myth... .. there are plenty others who use the same excuse ;-)

steve_kay

JGSI wrote:

I just dont get this all pervading assumption that just because you live in a 'hilly area' you actually expend more effort... more exertion.. etc etc.....

How can it be an assumption that you spend more energy gaining distance vertically as opposed to riding the same distance on a pancake flat route? It's a fact that to cover the same distance at a similar average speed over gradients will burn a lot more energy than simply doing the same distance on a flat route. You have to overcome gravitational forces when climbing, which isn't the case when riding on level ground

sungod

Steve_kay wrote:

sungod wrote:

after hard training/rides i use the high5 choc protein recovery with water

compared to mixing the equivalent protein+carbs with milk+cocoa etc. it works out maybe twice the price per serving, but as milk makes me feel sick, and the high5 is convenient i'm not really fussed about that

over the years i've tried other brands, but found none as palatable (though high5 changed the recipe for the worse some time in the last year), obviously that's down to individual taste

Yeah that's the same stuff I use. I just find it's a bit pricey when compared to other protein available. To be honest, I may just stick to what I know and pay the price. At least I know it works and I like the taste of it

pbk have a huge discount on at the moment, i just stocked up...

http://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-nutr ... 65678.html

steve_kay

Cheers sungod. It's nearly a tenner cheaper than normal and I just so happen to have nearly ran out

supermurph09

OK, my 2 pence worth. before cycling I used to workout with weights 5 times per week, at that point I was using lots of whey protein and eating plenty. Gave up the workouts when I started cyling and had lots of powder left over so continued to use it after rides until it ran out. I then decided to just have a big glass of milk (after every ride) and a bowl of cereals (and glass of milk) after longer rides of 3 hours and can honestly say I've felt no difference. In fact, i'd say using cod liver oil tablets daily has had a better effect.

overlord2

JGSI wrote:

I just dont get this all pervading assumption that just because you live in a 'hilly area' you actually expend more effort... more exertion.. etc etc... that needs to be 'repaired' If hills are taking that much of a toll.. have a look at your gearing.. and once only fix instead of 25 quid a fortnight on a plastic bucket.
Not having a pop as such.. ok as you are not alone in propagating the myth... .. there are plenty others who use the same excuse ;-)

What? Its a myth that hills are harder than the flat. Good one.

Personally I dont go for artifical foods. Youd be better of making a tuna sandwich or mackeral on toast. Or boil some eggs.

Wigster

Stay away from all the crazy blends and concoctions that some brands sell. Stick to pure products and mix them yourself.

All you really need extra on top of a standard diet is:
Macro Nutrients: Protein (Whey powder), Carbs (Bananas, most fruit in general, Oat bars).
Vitamins (1 a day tablet)

If you want an extra 10%:
Creatine Monohyrdate
CLA Tablets
Omega Fish Oil tablet

I've personally used MyProtein for years.
http://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutriti ... 30943.html
Here's my referrer code for MyProtein if you need one: MP23484268