so why did I "bonk" yesterday??

[Dave7]

TBH I dont expect a "diagnosis" but my situation is......
I am now doing 30-50 milers without real problem i.e. had enough but not knackered.
Yesterday I planned a 30 mile loop. Had a decent breakfast plus the usual energy drink. The ride was easy and I was feeling good.
Then suddenly at 25 miles my legs turned to jelly and I felt totally drained..
First time its happened in 3 years cycling.
I stopped for 30 minutes...had a cerial bar and some jelly babies and limped home.
TODAY.
I was committed to a 50 miler..... did it...no problem.
Really wierd and no idea why.
Any suggestions??

 

[Stinboy]

Sometimes you eat the bear, other times the bear eats you

 

[speccy1]

It just seems to happen sometimes, I`ve had it come on within the first couple of miles after eating well. You seem to be doing nothing wrong. Maybe carry food with you as a backup, flapjacks/bananas/sweets etc. You don`t have to use them, but they are there if you need them

 

[MiK1138]

where you taking enough fluids, dunno about cheshire but it was bloody hot up here yesterday

 

[HLaB]

A lot of it is in your head.

 

[speccy1]

A lot of it is in your head.

What????????????

 

[Bollo]

...., dunno about cheshire but it was bloody hot up here yesterday

What????????????????

 

[Spiderweb]

It happens Dave without real explanation. Take fluids before riding and don't forget to keep drinking during your ride. I can recommend High Five Zero electrolite tablets for your water bottles.

 

[Broadside]

You might find in the next couple of days that you are actually
coming down with a bug. Hopefully not but whenever I've had similar that is usually what happens.

 

[Dave7]

where you taking enough fluids, dunno about cheshire but it was bloody hot up here yesterday

Yes........only a 30 miler so an energy drink before starting and 700 mm of water with me.

 

[Dave7]

A lot of it is in your head.

Cant agree with that. Not saying it cant happen but I was really enjoying the ride when it just came out of nowhere.

 

[speccy1]

What????????????????

Your point being??

 

[Spiderweb]

A lot of it is in your head.

Don't agree with that, it was in Dave's legs!

 

[kiriyama]

I bonked after 5 miles once. ate and drank well all day before the ride, guess for whatever reason my body didn't absorb that energy properly.where as I did 40 very hilly miles the other day with nothing but 6 gummy sweets and 500ml of water and I was performing far better than my mate with a pocket full of gels. Guess our body just let us down sometimes.

 

[HLaB]

What????????????

What????????????????

Don't agree with that, it was in Dave's legs!

Drinking/eating /fitness/ etc are important but what I mean, if you tell yourself mentally its hard it will be but if you blank the negative thoughts out and focus on a target like the OP latterly did it won't seem so bad. Philology or whatever you want to call it though is easier said than done though :-/