Over the course of the last 6 weeks, which coincides with the purchase of a new bike (blog post to come), I have cycled over 400 miles. Obviously all of this is in prep for my JOGLE cycle in 4 weeks time. During this time I have made small but significant changes to my ride nutrition, read on to hear about my before and after ride diet!
Before
My typical ride fuel when I started going out for longer training sessions consisted of treats that were very high in sugar. I would take out 2 caffeine gel bars, electrolyte water, flapjacks, haribo and then make sure a stop would incorporate some cake at some point. Without realising I was not fueling my body in a way that was getting the results I need for endurance length rides. This first happened to me on a 110 mile bike ride last summer when my legs started cramping all over after 80 miles. This happened again on a 70 mile ride last month. Cramp is not the greatest at the best of times, however getting cramp mid cycle is tough! I suffered cramp in the abductor area, hamstrings and quads! As I was cycling in a group (shout out to the Dawnay Raiders), I didn’t want to stop and stretch, so tried to release the cramp by continuing to cycle through it. Spinning the legs out at a high cadence and low gear to get me through it.
After
With some key and crucial advice from experienced riders, I may not be taking on enough salt during my riding. Knowing this I decided before a 85 mile ride to first start with a salt water drink, then take with me a ham and cheese sarnie and some salted peanuts! There I was the night before the ride in M&S looking for the ham with the highest amount of salt possible! I lowered how much sugar I was consuming during the same cycle and the benefit was unreal! I felt super all the way through, even at 82 miles in I felt like I could still put the pedal to the metal (carbon) and power away. Keeping the sugary treats for the little dips in energy levels in between my stops, I feel in a good place to get through some long days and recover efficiently. Well as good as you can for back to back 130 miles! Gulp!
So I will now be taking all that I have learn’t across the last several weeks and take this to the start line in John o’ Groats ready to fuel my way through the long days in the saddle!
I Just Felt Like Cycling 