Food

[lanternerouge]

Hi, apologies if previous threads on this.

Have been thinking of switching from gels & CNP drinks to more "natural" nutrition. My mate is a triathlete and he just drinks 1/2 apple juice, 1/2 water, and eats bananas. Might give Soreen a go too. What do people think?

Thanks!

LR

 

[Speedywheelsjeans]

Im a banana and fruitcake kinda guy too, although I do put bog standard maltodextrin in my squash too, Gels are just more 'convenient'.

 

[amaferanga]

Soreen Go bars for me and squash with a bit of electrolyte powder. Works for training. For racing you can't beat gels and carb drinks.

 

[Herzog]

Have been thinking of switching from gels & CNP drinks to more "natural" nutrition. My mate is a triathlete and he just drinks 1/2 apple juice, 1/2 water, and eats bananas.

For normal training rides, I use grape juice:water (1:1) with a pinch of salt. Also some dried fruit to eat. For racing I would use a powdered carb drink (depends on which one I've in the cupboard) with some power bars. Coke and orange juice (1:1) also works for me, providing it is left to go flat first.

 

[lanternerouge]

Hmmm so seeing as I'm just wanting to pootle round the apple juice/water combo should do job? Am I missing out on a lot if I don't use my powdered drink? I find it really gassy

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

...Am I missing out on a lot if I don't use my powdered drink? I find it really gassy

The benefit from any food or drink is nullified if it makes you in any way uncomfortable on the bike.

I'm comfortable up to 120km on dilute squash or fruit juice 50/50 with water and about 1/3 tsp salt and a banana.

For variety on longer rides I take homemade, dried fruit flapjacks and a caffeinated drink in the second bottle.

Chocolate milkshake has been proven to be as effective as commercial recovery drinks.

 

[amaferanga]

For normal training rides, I use grape juice:water (1:1) with a pinch of salt. Also some dried fruit to eat. For racing I would use a powdered carb drink (depends on which one I've in the cupboard) with some power bars. Coke and orange juice (1:1) also works for me, providing it is left to go flat first.

What sort of racing do you do that allows you to eat solid food like a power bar? I find it hard enough getting a few gels down since in amateur racing there's no such thing as a feed zone/time!

 

[Herzog]

What sort of racing do you do that allows you to eat solid food like a power bar? I find it hard enough getting a few gels down since in amateur racing there's no such thing as a feed zone/time!

I can always eat, there is always time to grab something from the jersey pocket and shove it in - I can't stand gels and find bars mixed with a decent carb drink sufficient.

 

[VamP]

I will eat anything on training rides (well, carbohydrate obviously), and often drink zero calorie electrolyte drinks, rather than carbohydrate drinks.

For racing, I also have no idea how anyone can eat, I struggle to drink. Usually I will take a gel 30 minutes before the start, and that's all, though I will bring a gel with me, and half a bottle of carb drink. Probably worth noting that I don't ride any races longer than 2 hours in duration, often closer to the 1 hour mark.

 

[Herzog]

I will eat anything on training rides (well, carbohydrate obviously), and often drink zero calorie electrolyte drinks, rather than carbohydrate drinks.

For racing, I also have no idea how anyone can eat, I struggle to drink. Usually I will take a gel 30 minutes before the start, and that's all, though I will bring a gel with me, and half a bottle of carb drink. Probably worth noting that I don't ride any races longer than 2 hours in duration, often closer to the 1 hour mark.

There's a few members of my club who can't stand to eat during a race (meaning no desire to eat rather than not able to manage the mechanics of it) - I find it easiest during the flat quiet sections (which are few and far between in Swiss races).