I almost never eat breakfast before a ride. You might be sick and don't know it yet. That has happened to me before. I did a ride, thought I was going to die, and two days later came down with a nasty cold.
Got my butt kicked
So I went for a ride yesterday, and I made a stupid mistake I think. I decided I didn't have time to eat breakfast before going so I didn't. As some may have guessed I had a serious lack of energy. I couldn't even finish the normal amount that I go. I only went about 2/3rds of the way, then almost puked and had to lay down to catch my breath. I ended up walking back probably almost half what I had road and managed to bike the rest of the way out. Does it sound like I just needed breakfast or was it just a very off day?
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I had a cold 2 weeks ago, and I feel fine today. I do ride a SS, but I haven't had this much difficulty since I started riding, which was 3 months ago.
I get like that sometimes. I have chronic acid reflux, and sometimes it gets set off by the **** in the air, and elevated by physical activity. I've been bent over retching several times in the last couple months.
Sounds like dehydration to me. Drink more water before and during the ride. You should be drinking about every 20 minutes and eating something every 45 min to an hour of riding. I ride every morning without eating something then have a protein smoothie when I get home.
As far as not having energy, that could have been a mindset problem. You knew you didn't eat so you told yourself you didn't have energy. Next time you go out without eating, try a drink mix like HEED or something similar. Drink it before and during the ride and you will see a difference. If you're going to be riding more than an hour, bring something like a Cliff shot block bar with you to eat.
Biggest thing is to remember it is summer time and its hot outside. You're sweating a lot and don't know it because you're on a bike. You must stay hydrated. I'm glad you made it back, you did the right thing by getting off the bike and resting. Hope your next ride is better!
As far as not having energy, that could have been a mindset problem. You knew you didn't eat so you told yourself you didn't have energy. Next time you go out without eating, try a drink mix like HEED or something similar. Drink it before and during the ride and you will see a difference. If you're going to be riding more than an hour, bring something like a Cliff shot block bar with you to eat.
Biggest thing is to remember it is summer time and its hot outside. You're sweating a lot and don't know it because you're on a bike. You must stay hydrated. I'm glad you made it back, you did the right thing by getting off the bike and resting. Hope your next ride is better!
I dont think it was dehydration, I was drinking every time I stopped.
How about drinking before the ride? Sometimes drinking during the ride is too late. I have found that drinking a sports drink or water before the ride really helps out.
Nope didn't really drink before my ride. Water never hit my mouth until I had gone half of what I did.
You bonked. Eat before riding, carry some bananas with you for topping up during the ride.
I agree. Eat and drink before going out. I try to take in a couple liters of water prior to my ride and I have a 100oz camel pack for the trip and it is usually empty by the time I am done. I have not rode for more than a couple hours at once yet so I have not had a need to take any food with me but I might start stashing a could power bars or something similar in my pack just in case.
Typically I have always eaten something weather it was Oatmeal, Cerial, Yogurt and Granola, or just a Power Bar. When I am done I have EAS (Protein Drink) ready to mix in my car.
I was wondering why this wasn't the first reply. Clear case of bonking. Your body runs out of energy (glycogen -> glucose iirc) and you suddenly become super fatigued, dizzy and/or delirious.vkalia said:You bonked. Eat before riding, carry some bananas with you for topping up during the ride.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_the_wall
Well, it is exactly what I carry glucose pills for. Carrying glucose, or, for those more spoiled, some chocolate, is pretty common among XC skiers, but has yet to become a habit in the biking community.
Bingo! That was my first thought. Some people need more food before they ride, others seem to be able to go without. If I tried to do a real ride before eating anything I'd be hurting.vkalia said:You bonked. Eat before riding, carry some bananas with you for topping up during the ride.
there's your answer. your body is used to having something before the ride and you denied it that. pretty much anything would have done you better than nothing, and you should always drink water before you go out, and while you're riding. you went half your ride without any food or water in your system...that was the problem. get a camelbak, eat and drink before you ride, and rehydrate often. the camelbak makes it so you don't have to stop to get some water.Vtolds said:Typically I have always eaten something weather it was Oatmeal, Cerial, Yogurt and Granola, or just a Power Bar. When I am done I have EAS (Protein Drink) ready to mix in my car.
I'm always amazed by those that can ride without eating first. I gotta eat every two hours even without riding.
For long rides I'll add some clif shot electrolite drink to my water along with some maltodextrin. I've found maltodextrin on the internet for 7 pounds at about $14. That's enough to last me about a year. I also carry some gels, fruit, dates or nuts as well.
For long rides I'll add some clif shot electrolite drink to my water along with some maltodextrin. I've found maltodextrin on the internet for 7 pounds at about $14. That's enough to last me about a year. I also carry some gels, fruit, dates or nuts as well.
I tried riding about two weeks ago on an empty stomach and it sucked. I thought I didn't have time to eat but I should have made time. I really don't need a full meal before riding but I need something, preferably something that isn't really sugary. I usually take something along like a bar or at least a gel. After 45 minutes or an hour I'll eat half the bar and then eat the other half as needed. If I'm out on the trail and I wait until I'm hungry to eat then I'm done. I might as well go home. So I try to take in a steady supply of fuel. I can't speak for every cyclist but for me mountain biking, especially at an intense level or for a long duration, is a ridiculous thing for me to ask of my body without fuel. It can make the difference between a great ride or a $hi!!y ride.vkalia said:You bonked. Eat before riding, carry some bananas with you for topping up during the ride.
I eat 60-90 minutes before I go riding. I cannot go on an empty stomach. I take my Camelback with water and water bottle with Gatorade. Depending on how long I plan to ride I take snacks or a meal with me as well.
Im a type of person who NEEDS to eat 1.5-2hrs before i do any form of exercise or else i won't have the energy to even breath. My body calls for some kinda light food source all the time. During long ride hrs i normally bring a few bananas and apples just to keep my stomach happy =]
Also with fluids i do drink a fare amount... If i start failing any of these, my body wouldnt be very happy...
Also with fluids i do drink a fare amount... If i start failing any of these, my body wouldnt be very happy...
I went out again today and I did not fair much better. I ate before I went, had water before and during. I think I need to get me some power bars, and maybe something to boost my energy during the ride until I can get int better shape.
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