I need help...

[swiftylee]

Hi there everyone.

I have started cycling this year and have done some good rides including 117 miles to London...

My problem is this...

I am 6ft and 9 stone so very slim, I eat days before like porridge, pasta etc and on the morning of the ride have porridge and banana etc.

During ride I take cereal bars, lucozade, dextrose tablets etc...

But I run out of fuel at about 35 - 40 miles and have a flat spot...

I seem to soldier on till the end though...

Any help please...

 

[Dusty Bin]

what was the question?

 

[gavroche]

what was the question?

Why does he run out of fuel after 35- 40 miles may be?

 

[Dusty Bin]

But he also said he's ridden 117 miles and 'soldiers on to the end', so I'm not sure what the issue is.

 

[compo]

My first reaction is that Swiftylee just needs to keep building up his time on the bike to develop his endurance. I would also get rid of the dextrose and sugary drinks. It would be good if swiftylee could tell us more about his cycling so people could maybe see areas for improvement.

 

[Ben M]

It sounds like it's your fitness letting you down, not your fuelling.

Keep cycling and you'll get fitter.

 

[swiftylee]

sorry...

i seem to struggle at 35 plus miles legs mainly feel heavy but seem to battle on.

not sure if its food related

 

[swiftylee]

gonna take up spinning to see if ican up my fitness

 

[Dusty Bin]

gonna take up spinning to see if ican up my fitness

Spinning isn't going to help your endurance, which seems to be the problem. It won't harm your fitness though - but just don't expect it to make any difference to the issue you posted here.

 

[TissoT]

sound to me as if you need to get some regular mileage in your legs ... this takes 2/3years to achieve
Any of the good training books will tell you this ... stick to 40 to 60 miles for 12 months or so but do it regular.... leave out the lucozade, dextrose this picks you up and then drops you down ! try other powders on the market .

 

[400bhp]

I am 6ft and 9 stone.

You should fly up the steep stuff.

 

[swiftylee]

Any suggestions on fluids and food when cycling...

 

[Dusty Bin]

Any suggestions on fluids and food when cycling...

Drink - whatever you like, you don't need to spend on energy drinks. Food - not really needed for rides under two hours. Over two hours - bananas, sarnies, flapjack, the usual stuff.

 

[400bhp]

drink before thirsty.

I nearly always forget and end up with a headache after a long ride.

 

[swiftylee]

what about gels... Never tried but my brother in law uses them and seems good..