I thought Coke was a no-no
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the_mikey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
They'll use it as a pick up, contains caffeine, although it's not isotonic, and the carbs are all sugar.
Tim Bennet.
Entirely Average Member
- Location
- S of Kendal
Before all the snake oil salesmen started peddling 'sports drinks', Coke (with a tiny amount of salt) was THE drink, especially in hot weather. It's best to pour it out into a cup to kill most of the gas, but then it great.
I've done lot's of long distance riding and cycling events in the tropics using it. The best things is that it's available in most garages.
A UK university sports department did some comparative tests on elite athletes training hard in hot, humid weather and found they did equally well on Coke as on electrolyte drink. They also found that the caffeine allowed them to do better at the end of an event compared to plain sports drinks. That is why you see some gels now have 'caffeine added'.
For riders on things like PBP, don't be afraid of Coca Cola. If you lay off ALL caffeine for a month or six weeks before the ride, then the caffeine in coffee and in Coca Cola can be a useful tool in managing your tiredness. Colas also have the fluid quantity in it that a tiny expresso doesn't.
I've done lot's of long distance riding and cycling events in the tropics using it. The best things is that it's available in most garages.
A UK university sports department did some comparative tests on elite athletes training hard in hot, humid weather and found they did equally well on Coke as on electrolyte drink. They also found that the caffeine allowed them to do better at the end of an event compared to plain sports drinks. That is why you see some gels now have 'caffeine added'.
For riders on things like PBP, don't be afraid of Coca Cola. If you lay off ALL caffeine for a month or six weeks before the ride, then the caffeine in coffee and in Coca Cola can be a useful tool in managing your tiredness. Colas also have the fluid quantity in it that a tiny expresso doesn't.
I usually have a can of coke and give it a good swill round to get rid of the gas. Last year I stopped in a cafe for a can and thought I needed a bit of salt as well, so I poured some straight into the can. The result was a table covered in coke as it flowed out of the top of the can in reaction to the salt, leaving me with just half a tin.
pawl
Legendary Member
- Location
- Desford Leicestershire
I can only drink coak on the bike if i let it go flat otherwise it makes me feel bloated
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I dare say it helps after 100 miles having somebody hand you an unshaken can 
overgeared
New Member
exactly. may not be the best thing to drink from an isotonic or GI perspective but it's a great pick-me-up which plays to the riders all important mental state.
Fiona N
Veteran
I've often used Coke at the end of a long ride as a last 50km emergency measure - buy it warm, if possible, and shake to get ride of the gas (best done poured into a water bottle if you buy a can 
) then it's sugar and caffeine - all you need really.
Like somebody already said - the fact you can buy it at just about any petrol station you find that's open can be a lifesaver. Sometimes availability trumps all science and technology
) then it's sugar and caffeine - all you need really. Like somebody already said - the fact you can buy it at just about any petrol station you find that's open can be a lifesaver. Sometimes availability trumps all science and technology
Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
An even better version, is to mix roughly 2/3 Coke and 1/3 orange juice together. It looks horrible (like a brown liquid can only look, especially if you've got orange with bits in) but is surprisingly refreshing.
2Loose
Guru
- Location
- Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Pineapple instead of orange - it looks like muddy dishwater, but is yummy, if a bit sweet.
Baggy
Cake connoisseur
- Location
- Where the chevrons are
Not sure I could neck down Coke and juice together! I've taken a couple of mini cans of Coke on overnight rides and found it an excellent pick-me-up in the darkest bits before dawn.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Other cola flavoured drinks are available.
Don't you love it when you go to a pub and ask for a coke and they say we don't sell coke, will a pepsi do instead? Like anyone is going to say no.
Don't you love it when you go to a pub and ask for a coke and they say we don't sell coke, will a pepsi do instead? Like anyone is going to say no.
rualexander
Legendary Member
I'd say no, unless I was desparate. No comparison between Coke and Pepsi, I love Coke but don't like Pepsi.
Coke is great as an energy booster on a long day, best ice cold and fizzy for me.
