By my calculations it is exactly 18 days until the start of this years pinnacle event in the season’s calender, Le Tour de France. This year’s event is set to be a real spectacle with 4 mountain-top finishes and the re-installment of the team time trial as well as enough flat stages for the...
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If you’ve ever tuned into the #bikeschool tweet chat, you’d likely have seen a bunch of tweets that include some sort of Taco reference. So what is the fascination with #bikeschool and tacos you may ask? Well, #bikeschool really has a life and identity of it’s own and the more weeks that go by,...
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As time has gone on and #bikeschool has grown in popularity, our online community has forged many friendships along the way. Due to these friendships and a shared passion some class members have been lucky enough to travel across States and Counties to meet up and even ride with one another. Although I have...
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Monday the 9th of May 2011 saw a tragic chain of events that will change the present lives and futures of a vast array of people due to the sad loss of a young professional cyclist, Wouter Weylandt. The exact facts and events of that day may never known by the fanatical public but...
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“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give” – Winston Churchill This week we are the midst of one of the most tightly fought contests since King Arthur took on the might of The Black Knight. The intellectual hammer has been thrown down and it’s time...
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For many months now we have gathered as seething masses in the musty halls of a simple but wonderful night class known only as #bikeschool. Some people pop in to wind down after a day at work, others set their biological clocks to tingle once a week at 9PM EST… and others well, others...
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Recent years have seen the sport of cycle racing careering from pillar to post on the subject of doping which have thrown our sport into the mainstream media in all the wrong ways. We have seen some of the most ‘original’ and ridiculous excuses ever spouted by enhanced humans, ranging from Björn Leukemans’ over-active...
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As you are probably aware, I am the new guardian angel of the #bikeschool posts here at LovingTheBike.com and wanted to kick things off in a big way this week. I’m hoping to introduce some exciting new content and ideas to these weekly #bikeschool articles and I felt it was only right to treat...
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You knew it was just a matter of time before I’d feature #bikeschool in our Hashtag Tuesday series. #bikeschool is that crazy little idea that my good friend @bikerly had last summer….and it just grew, and grew, and grew. Secret Evol Plan It all started as something he deemed a Secret Evol Plan (Evol...
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In the final installment of Winter Riding Wednesdays, Kip gives a few more tips on how to navigate snow covered streets. “You’re curious…do you think you’re going to try it this winter?” See all four parts of Winter Riding Wednesdays on Loving The Bike’s YouTube channel.
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Good winter biking gear is expensive; but, if you’re willing to spend some money, you’re going to be more comfortable and less likely to give up on winter cycling. iOS version available here Once again, Kip goes into detail on what type of gear a winter cyclist should use to be comfortable during winter...
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In today’s video, Kip focuses on studded tires. This is a very informative clip on how to stud your own tires, what to look for in a good winter tire and how to save money. As always, enjoy your ride and leave comments. iOS version available here
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Question: Out of habit, I’ve always eaten cereal (granola) before my morning ride. For the last several weeks, I’ve been riding at 6am to avoid the heat, and eating at 5:30 am. I haven’t had any stomach issues, but I am not sure that this is the best pre-ride meal strategy. My legs have felt heavy since starting to ride earlier. My rides are 1.5-2 hours. Should I eat less, something different, or nothing at all? What do you think?
Kelli’s Answer: I think your pre-ride fuel strategy can be improved. The issue with eating a moderately high fiber breakfast within 30 minutes of beginning a ride is that it will likely take too long to digest, absorb, and metabolize to provide any energy to your muscles at all. And, what’s more, if the meal is setting in your stomach, you are increasing your risk of stomach cramps (but it sounds like you’ve been okay here) and a reduced bloodflow to your legs since your body is working at digesting.
Although many athletes feel like they need a full breakfast before a morning ride, I think you’ll have better result with less food, and ones that you can eat quickly and metabolize faster.
My first choice would be 2 Tablespoons organic honey + 0.5 – 1 Tbsp organic coconut oil (all straight off the spoon). Why? These are fast-acting, quick-metabolizing energy foods. The honey provides moderately fast carbs that act similarly to maltodextrin (moderately fast and longer lasting than glucose), natural enzymes to improve digestion, and antioxidants. The organic coconut oil provides fast-acting medium chain triglycerides which are used directly by the mitochondria of cells (energy producers) without the need for bile or slow digestion.
Another option would be a sports food with a moderate amount of protein – something like a Clif bar. Or, a smoothie with 1/4 cup yogurt, 1/2 banana, 1 Tbsp honey, and water. These foods will also digest quickly and provide energy during your ride.
And, don’t forget about 8 oz. of fluid.
During your ride, especially if high intensity and over 60 minutes, or moderate intensity and over 90 minutes, you’ll still need during-ride fuel as well. With all rides in heat, you’ll want fluids and lytes!
