Never feel hungry but sick after a ride

louman999
louman999 Posts: 90
edited July 2016 in Road general
This is hard to explain however during a ride over 35 miles at some point I will start to feel bloated almost. When cycling I drink lots of water and take food. However I think the water makes me feel not hungry so I don't eat and then eventually if the ride is long enough hit the wall. Any ideas on food that is easy to digest when cycling ???

Comments

  • webboo
    webboo Posts: 6,087
    How much water are you drinking.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Most food is easy to digest - the trick is not eating too much of it...
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    "When cycling I drink lots of water"

    That's probably it then. I did 100miles yesterday and didn't finish 2 x 750ml bottles on a nice day.

    If you're drinking too much you would feel bloated. Exactly how much is "lots" and why ?
  • louman999
    louman999 Posts: 90
    I did 40 miles today and during that ride I drank around a litre of water
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Why ? Are you in a hot country ? Do you always drink lots of water ? Heavy sweater ?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I only drink when I feel thirsty. In summer that's quite frequently, in the winter it's hardly at all. Food wise for anything up to 30 miles I don't really bother. Actually last weekend I managed 40 miles on just drink. But if I plan to be out for longer than that I'll start eating after an hour or so and then little and often after that, say a mouthful every 30 mins or so. I like fig rolls and jelly babies because they are easy to fish out of a jersey pocket.

    On those rare occasions I get a whole day out on the bike I'll pack up proper food; sandwiches, bananas, cereal bars, chocolate and even a flask of tea, and have a proper picnic.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Louman999 wrote:
    I did 40 miles today and during that ride I drank around a litre of water

    This time of year in the UK that doesn't sound too unusual. I think I downed about a litre of fluid during my 40 miler last week, and I'm guessing lost most of it through sweating because I didn't need to stop for a pee at any stage.
  • webboo
    webboo Posts: 6,087
    keef66 wrote:
    Louman999 wrote:
    I did 40 miles today and during that ride I drank around a litre of water

    This time of year in the UK that doesn't sound too unusual. I think I downed about a litre of fluid during my 40 miler last week, and I'm guessing lost most of it through sweating because I didn't need to stop for a pee at any stage.
    That depends on the individual. At the moment I don't usually finish both my 500ml bottles on 70 plus mile ride.
    Yesterday did 40 miles including intervals and I took a mouthful out of my second bottle.
  • louman999
    louman999 Posts: 90
    Don't know if it makes any difference but I'm 6ft 4 so might need more fluids than others
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Louman999 wrote:
    Don't know if it makes any difference but I'm 6ft 4 so might need more fluids than others

    Well the air is drier at altitude, but I don't think 6'4" counts...

    If anything, your ratio of surface area to mass is probably lower than for a midget like me, so you'd be better at retaining fluid.
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    But if you did need more fluids than other people - you'd be sweating out the fluid. You're not as you say you feel bloated.

    So drink less.

    I'm 6" and I reckon you're drinking about 2.5x the amount I did in the UK yday - but only you know how hot it was for you.
  • louman999
    louman999 Posts: 90
    I'll take one bottle instead of two on my next ride
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,379
    that volume shouldn't really be enough to affect you, but you could try adding an electrolyte tablet to the bottle, high5 for instance, i like the citrus one

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/high5-zero-elec ... k-20-tabs/

    as others have said, for that distance and yesterday's weather it seems a lot to drink
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • gimpl
    gimpl Posts: 269
    Well I'm 6'4" and 1 litre in 40 miles doesn't seem excessive to me. Apart from weather conditions I do also find that my fitness level plays a part in how much I drink too - less fit = more to drink. I also find comments like 'your drinking too much' laughable - how does anyone else know? I drink quite a lot just sitting at my desk. In the really hot weather I think one 750ml bottle an hour is about right for me.

    I think the advice about the electrolyte tab is good and worth exploring. Not sure if I would need to eat anything on a 35 mile ride though - try cutting that out and see how you get on as well.
  • webboo
    webboo Posts: 6,087
    Anyone one needs electrolytes replacing in a 40 mile ride should probably make an appointment with their GP. There might be a case for them if you were riding the equivalent of a grand tour in a hot climate. Most people can replace them with an adequate diet.
    Another sports drink industry myth like coconut water.
  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    The intake of water is so susceptible to variations in temperature, humidity, effort etc that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The problem you have is the bloating, which may not even be the amount of water you are taking - but then again may well be.
    You can get many different approaches to liquid intake, especially on an internet forum, but it's down to you to experiment. Try reducing the amount you drink - see how you get on. If you are feeling very thirsty then obviously you need more, if you aren't troubled by thirst, and the bloating subsides, then bingo. If the bloating continues with less water then there maybe another underlying problem. If it's really troubling you, seek medical advice.
  • 86inch
    86inch Posts: 161
    Webboo wrote:
    Anyone one needs electrolytes replacing in a 40 mile ride should probably make an appointment with their GP. There might be a case for them if you were riding the equivalent of a grand tour in a hot climate. Most people can replace them with an adequate diet.
    Another sports drink industry myth like coconut water.


    Not necessarily true, i suffer cramping if i don't use electrolytes and there is nothing wrong with me!
    Way back in the midst of time before electrolyte drinks, i used to add salt and dextrose to my water to solve the problem.

    However i would assert that not everybody's system is like mine and many people do not need it.
  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    don't go mad with the drink but electrolyte tabs that are flavoured are a fine way of adding a bit of taste and the right electrolytes to the mix.

Categories