Let’s Talk Cycling Rituals

• http://twitter.com/krissyn12 Krissy Nelson

  My pre ride rituals are not too exciting. My big thing is that I NEED to match. I think it’s just part of my personality but I have this thing about my gloves matching my jersey, and my water bottles have to match too.  That’s why if you see me buying water bottles ever, I always get two. I know, I have issues!  LOL!  I also always pump up my tires and have to have my road id on my left wrist, blackberry in my back righ pocket, gels in middle pocket, taiser and keys in left poket.  Post ride ritual: Jimmy John’s (#1 no tomato) and pedialyte.

  • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

    Whoa, that is a lot of rituals.  Thanks for sharing them Krissy.  I hope that new Pearl Izumi kits matches your gloves and water bottles….hahahaha.  I see you just stocked up on Pedialyte today so you should be set for a while.

    Darryl

• Slswope

  Drink water or gatorade.  Fill up the water bottles. Kick the tires, squeeze the brakes, check the running lights.   Put on the Road ID and helmet.  Zero out my mileage on the bike computer.  Say my prayer for a safe ride and return.  Click in and go.

• http://twitter.com/mrbass68 Pedro Verdugo

  let the wife and/or daughter know my projected route and return time, RoadId on right wrist, HRM on left wrist

  for all rides: top off the air in tires, check brakes, check shifters, keys/tools/spare tubes into saddle bag, iphone/id cards/cash into clear zip-lock then into right-rear jersey pocket, second bottle into center pocket, food/gels into left pocketany rides that are more than 90 minutes: second and third bottles into left and center pockets, right pocket food, phone/cash go into saddle bag

  before a long ride (more than 2 hours) I’ll drink two bottles one hour before I leave, one of water and a second of gatorade–then I depart after I’ve answered the call of nature knowing that I’m hydrated–I’ll then keep an eye on my cycle-computer and take a drink every 10 minutes, also I’ll eat a GU every 45-60 minutes

  when I return I make a tall glass (16oz) of chocolate milk (skim milk)–great combination of protein/carbs/fat and it tastes good! On really hot days though if dairy doesn’t appeal I’ll drink 2 bottles (one gatorade and one water) and eat 2 handfuls of almonds

  after a century ride I always eat a burger and drink a beer

  • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

    Thanks Pedro……I appreciate you giving us a look into your cycling routine.

• http://www.lifes2wheelbalance.com Anthony Lussier

  Can’t think of any particular rituals I do.  I do keep the same things in my rear pockets though.  Not really a ritual but I think it’s more about knowing where it is in a pinch, like my cell phone.  Sometimes on long rides I notice I’ll get all suited up first and then grab a snack and sit on the coach before heading out.  Not sure why I eat after throwing on my shorts. -ritual ?

  • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

    Hahahaha, nice.  Food can be a good ritual, right?

• http://profiles.google.com/velofreak89 Kendall Hill

  Pre ride – same as most everyone else. Everything has to be in the right pockets on the back.

  Post race/event – Mexican food. More specifically, veggue fajitas. Nothing makes me happier than ending a hard day in the saddle with a platter of sizzling veggies, especially if there’s a group of us discussing the day’s riding.

  • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

    Awesome….I think I’m going to have to start incorporating your veggie fajitas ritual into my routine.

• SMKinnison

  I slip my wedding rings onto my RoadID chain (they slip out from under my gloves.) RoadID on – I KNOW I’m going riding! 

• SMKinnison

  I slip my wedding rings onto my RoadID chain (they slip out from under my gloves.) RoadID on – I KNOW I’m going riding! 

  • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

    Good one.  Thanks for sharing.

• http://twitter.com/sleepingmenace Sleeping Menace

  keys, bit of cash, card with emergency contact info (in the event of an unfortunate) and blackberry all go in the pockets. Check tyre pressure, brakes.. and lube chain. If a long ride, I usually txt someone where I’m going, what route, and what time I plan to be back (again, just in case).

  • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

    Another person with a list of safety rituals….nice to see it.  Have you considered getting a Road ID?

• Trimon29

  Joel, Pretty Funny.
  Darryl,
  Always Pump up tires even if I road 30 minutes ago. I check my brake calipers to be sure they aren’t rubbing and the clip is closed. I check my wheel spindle levers. I clean my glasses whether they need it or not, and clip my helmet before I get on. I know this all sounds kinda anal and not in the spirit of fun, however. I have lived through 4 pretty major bike wrecks and seen a lot of other people go down. I know that it is just a part of the deal however, I don’t want it to be my own stupidness that contributes to a future wreck, or the injuries that result from it.

  • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

    It’s always good to be prepared…..thanks for your comments, Eric.

• Anonymous

  I don’t have many either but ditto on the hugs and kisses and gear in the jersey pockets. For me it’s keys in the left pocket, cell phone (in a plastic baggie) in the middle, and fuel (Clif Bar and gels) in the right pocket.

  • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

    I’m thinking that putting things in the same pockets like we do must be a fairly standard thing for cyclists, but I’m not sure.  Thanks Bryan.

  • http://www.curtismchale.ca/ Curtis McHale

    Used to  have the same pocket setup but after I dislocated my right shoulder a few years back i had to switch the food and keys. Found it too hard on ‘bad’ shoulder days to reach for food with the right arm.

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      Thanks Curtis.  I’ve got shoulder issues as well….do you find your shoulder aches on long rides?  If so, what sort of things do you do to make it better?

      • http://www.curtismchale.ca/ Curtis McHale

        Not if I’ve been doing my physio stuff regularly. I also still whitewater kayak (the cause of the original injury) a few days a week which keeps the shoulder pretty strong. The only time I’ve hurt it cycling is when drinking and I hit a bump. My bad shoulder was on the hood and my body was rotated which made sure my shoulder was as weak as possible for the bump. Had to take a few days off paddling just to make sure it was solid again.

        • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

          I hope it continues to get better and stronger.  I’ve learned to deal with my shoulder and when it starts aching on long rides I’ll do a few rotations with it and massage my neck which seems to help.  Here’s to both of us have ache free shoulders.

• http://www.reasons2ride.com/ Joel Phillips

  To this day, the first thing I do when I get my bike out for a ride is “pop a wheelie” and see how far I can ride it out.  I also make sure I have dog treats in my pockets.  One final must before any ride is making sure Lady Gaga and Pink are loaded onto my iPod, these two gals get the legs pumping and keep me moving.  Most importantly, and more obsessive compulsive than ritualistic, I check the tire pressure and always start a ride @ 85psi.

  Happy Riding

  • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

    This just me some of the best rituals I’ve ever heard…..Awesome Joel.

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Sugar Alternatives for Energy and Hydration

Question: I am using the homebrew sugar formulations (sometimes added to green tea).  I am also trying to wean myself off 1/2 dose adrenalean ”lip tonic delivery system” (biorhythm brand- caffeine, hoodia g, synephrine, yohimbe) capsule for energy.

My question is other than juice, can you suggest modifications in lieu of table sugar for energy and hydration.

Answer:

Both raw/organic honey or agave can work great in the homebrew (substitute in the same quantities for the sugar, or to taste), but you do have to shake well in order to make sure they don’t settle out.  Have you tried either of these?  Also, make sure to use at least the minimum amount of salt recommended in the homebrew as the temps rise, you need the sodium replacement if you’re sweating.

Sports Drink Homebrew

Please send us your questions for our Expert Sports Nutritionist, Kelli Jennings to “Ask the Sports Nutritionist“. Kelli Jennings is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for healthy eating, wellness, & sports nutrition. For more information go to www.apexnutritionllc.com.

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