What And When Should I Be Eating???

[Sammo123]

Evening Everyone

I have just bought my first road bike with the intention of going out cycling after work most nights. What I want to know is what times should I be eating in relation to going out cycling and what sort of thing should I be eating???

Cheers

Sammo

[Sammo123]

Jimbo. said:

If you're just starting out, don't worry re. eating. Just do as you would do normally/eat healthily, and pedal. And then pedal some more. Else you'll tie yourself in gastric knots as your world degenerates into a mess of energy drinks, recovery drinks, proteins and overuse of the term "fuel".

Just don't, whatever you do, go out and go hard/far/fast on an empty, or near empty, stomach, else you'll bonk. Oh God, that's bad.

Actually no, DO go out and bonk once, just so you can appreciate just how unpleasant it is, then you'll never do it again!

Been there done that lol! I know how unpleasant it is and never want to do it again. So when I get home from work I should eat my dinner and then wait how long before going out?

[Sammo123]

Jimbo. said:

OK, going against what I said for a minute. If it were me, I'd have a reasonably sized lunch, finish work, MAYBE top-up with, I dunno, a banana, pedal immediately after work, then eat after that. Assuming of course it's possible. Going to a ride on a post-dinner stomach isn't comfortable!

Dont really get a chance for big lunch at work but I can have a snack when I get home to top up again. Not a banana though. They make me gag! Anything else recommended?

[Sammo123]

Rob_T said:

if you're just starting out and are anything like me, you'll manage about about 5 miles before thinking you're about to die. don't worry about the diet / carb nonsense. just ride and enjoy and listen to your body. everyone is different with how their body uses energy, so what works for one may not work for another. for example i will frequently go out on a 50 mile ride and drink less than one bottle of water, whereas people i go with with drink two and still ask for some of mine... your body seems to adjust itself. the only thing i would say is have a sensible balanced diet, then you'll be fine. obvious i know.

and bonking is a very strange feeling. you're almost hallucinating...

Well I finally got out on the bike this morning

I set off feeling very happy with myself, however I think I may of overdone the enthusiasm a little. I managed to get just over 1.5 miles from my house before I couldnt breathe! So I turned round and went home hehe!

I must say that in my very short ride I was really impressed with the bike. I couldnt get over how fast it was! I would struggle to get my Mountain Bike to hit 17-18mph, but on the Allez I was quite easily doing over 20mph and not going full chat! Although that may have contributed to the extremely short distance I rode

Anyway, bring on Wednesday night