Fuel

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks all for the replies, very interesting.

I think it may be due to fitness (or lack of) or my inability to pace myself. I do find I set off at a lick and then on the return leg I seem to be a lot slower.

Thanks all again.

Agree with B n Y, you should have plenty of fuel for a short distance. Maybe start slowly and get warmed-up properly rather than hopping on the bike and giving it the full beans. I'm reasonably fit for my age and take at least 5 miles to get properly up to speed!

 

[Hicky]

You haven't really mentioned a great deal to go on, what is your route like, what is your fitness like, do you like a few beers or wine in the evening, is your bike up to scratch....all this means more than eating the right foods.
You've mentioned you set off like a bat out of hell....take the first few miles easy till your legs n lungs have warmed up then punish them.

 

[Cycleops]

After a ten mile ride you shouldn't be getting that tired. I wonder if there is someting else going on here. Have you had your blood sugar level checked? You ought to get it checked anyway. I am borderline type 2 diabetic which means I can control it by diet. Many people don't realise they have a problem and men are notoriously shy about going to the doctor.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

What we also don't know if what the OP does for a living. A stressful job will make cycling home far harder IME. I used to be in that situation. The 4.5 mile commute (2.5 miles uphill) to work was OK, the same route home, downhill was exhausting. By the end of the week my times for each commute were nearly 5 minutes slower. Ironically - extending my commute and finding a less stressful route home improved the situation. 7.5 miles out, 8.5 miles home and I was a lot better off for it. Quitting my job worked miracles and I'm now much fitter and happier (if not totally broke).

I'm cycling between 7.5 miles and 10 miles per day. When I get to about 6 miles every day I'm finding that my energy levels go on quite a descent.

Am I the only one who has read this as its the return journey that is the problem? - or is it a single journey out the same way each day and bike and OP come home in motor transport?

If it is the return journey that is the problem - then a good lunch & something to eat 2 hours before the journey home (so usually mid afternoon) will assist matters. Also dehyrdation (mentioned above) could be the problem because we have no idea if the OP works in an a/c'ed office and drinks enough during the day.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Didn't read it like that at all - thought the OP was going for a 7.5 - 10 mile morning ride. Is there a sharp ascent causing the sharp descent at 6 miles ?

 

[byegad]

I missed five weeks due to weather and illness last winter and found myself really hungry after my normal rides resumed. This wore off after a week or so. Really 8 miles, even ridden flat out, shouldn't cause any problems once your body has become accustomed to your ride. Try to cut out early morning sugars and change to oats or the like. DON'T eat more and you'll soon be OK.

 

[Snarf]

Thought I'd update. Have changed my breakfast to porridge and have started pacing myself instead of going out like a fool, and that's made a massive difference, thanks for all your help.

 

[on the road]

How long have you been cycling for? If you've only just taken up the sport then I'd put it down to fitness, but on the other hand if you've been doing it for years then I'd expect it to be something other than fitness.