Food, drink and that protein stuff?!

[Ootini]

Hey all,

I'm new to cycling and I'm beginning to build up distances and average speed, but I need some advice.
I'm quite wide for my height coming in at just 5'8'' and 13.5 stone, or in new money 173 cm and 85 kg. I'm by no means an "elite" athlete, or any kind of athlete if truth be told. I'm just a chubby middle aged bloke looking to get a touch healthier. I quit smoking last year and I'm asthmatic, in case that has any bearing on my question.
So, here are my questions:
Before a bike ride should I eat anything specific?
Is water the best thing to stick in the bottles on my bike for mid ride drinky-poos?
What the hell is this protein shake stuff I keep hearing about? sounds like nutritionist snake oil if I'm honest.
Or is it just all just a load of cobblers and I should eat and drink what the hell I want ? (I suspect it's not this.)

Just a quick guide on eat this, drink that, don't eat or drink the other would be great. I'm not really that fussed about losing or gaining weight, I'm just trying to generally improve my overall fitness.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

 

[Ootini]

Oh God. Have I started something?

 

[Ellillowladex]

Hey all,

I'm new to cycling and I'm beginning to build up distances and average speed, but I need some advice.
I'm quite wide for my height coming in at just 5'8'' and 13.5 stone, or in new money 173 cm and 85 kg. I'm by no means an "elite" athlete, or any kind of athlete if truth be told. I'm just a chubby middle aged bloke looking to get a touch healthier. I quit smoking last year and I'm asthmatic, in case that has any bearing on my question.
So, here are my questions:
Before a bike ride should I eat anything specific?
Is water the best thing to stick in the bottles on my bike for mid ride drinky-poos?
What the hell is this protein shake stuff I keep hearing about? sounds like nutritionist snake oil if I'm honest.
Or is it just all just a load of cobblers and I should eat and drink what the hell I want ? (I suspect it's not this.)

Just a quick guide on eat this, drink that, don't eat or drink the other would be great. I'm not really that fussed about losing or gaining weight, I'm just trying to generally improve my overall fitness.

Water is your bodies natural choice for rehydration, food wise you'll be looking for fuel - like a mix of complex and simple carbs, like say a peanut butter and jam sandwich on Wholemeal bread around 1 hour before your ride.
Also protein is for repairing and building muscle fibre, thus topped up after exercise.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Oh God. Have I started something?

Depends how you look at it. Your biggest ride this month is 23miles

TBH,you really aren't in the realm of needing anything more than a sensible breakfast and water

 

[Cameronmu917772]

Your height and weight are actually very average mate don't knock your self lol
As for food you want slow energy releasing foods for larger rides anything from 20 miles up I would say.

I tend to stick to. (30-60mins before)
6-8 weetabix topped with a small amount of sugar
3-4 medium rare poached eggs on a slice of toast (couple rashers bacon optional)
Big bowl of pasta normally with gravy and meetballs
Two slice toast with can of beans two poached eggs and cheese on top

Edit: ^^^^ not all at the same time lol

Big mug of coffee with around a pint/pint and a half of water

I also carry around 1.5L of water in lucazade sports bottles I put a tiny amount of salt in a tiny amount of sugar and enough diluting orange to just flavour the water. That was what my P.E teacher told me many moons ago.
As for the shakes and all that stuff I believe it to be poppy cock. But I would say its personal preference.

Hope this helps some what and you can find loads of articles online about food and exercise on google so have a look and find what works best for you.

Have fun

 

[Ootini]

Depends how you look at it. Your biggest ride this month is 23miles

TBH,you really aren't in the realm of needing anything more than a sensible breakfast and water

That's pretty much all I needed to know. At what point does someone need to start actually thinking about food / wwater etc? As opposed to just eating sensibly.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

The answer has too many variables.

 

[Ootini]

OK ta.

 

[Cameronmu917772]

That's pretty much all I needed to know. At what point does someone need to start actually thinking about food / wwater etc? As opposed to just eating sensibly.

Depends what you mean. If you want to train to do 100 miles a day you will need ghastly amounts of food and water but if you just want to have a good ride with out tiering and want a better recovery time just eat and drink sensibly befor and after your ride?

 

[Ootini]

That's great, thanks for the advice. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on some protein shake super fuel etc..

Thanks again folks.

Having said that, I am working my way up to one day commuting to and from work in a single day (49 miles each way). But that's a way off yet.

 

[numbnuts]

I can ride all day on a banana, apple, cereal bars and Roberson fruit juice

 

[mr messy]

I can ride all day on a banana, apple, cereal bars and Roberson fruit juice

Sounds like vegetarian porn....

 

[mr messy]

Just have sensible meal before and after and keep hydrated and most important of all ENJOY!. Once the miles increase then look at arranging mid ride nibbles

 

[uclown2002]

I can ride all day on a banana, apple, cereal bars and Roberson fruit juice

I can ride all day with no breakfast and nothing but water for the ride.