Energy drinks..

[Jenn]

Does anyone use them? I know I drink the sugar free Red Bull when I'm having a hard time getting motivated...but I don't know if it really works, or it's just my psyche playing tricks on me. I drank half a sugar free ROCK STAR today and all it got me shaking pretty good!

[Zen]

Caffeine?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My two cents:
You are talking about caffeine here. Heavy caffeine. When I think of "energy" food or drink, I usually think of things that replenish lost nutrients or electrolytes, etc. High caffeine cola drink manufacturers like to market their stuff as energy boosters. They are making big bucks on these drinks because the ingredients cost them next to nothing, as opposed to drinks with real nutritional content.

Coffee helps wake me up in the morning, it gives me a jump start on being alert. But I don't think of it as giving me "energy", and of course too much caffeine is no good and can give you heart palpitations, make you jittery and shaky, interfere with concentration, and prevent sound sleep even many hours later. I also personally like to avoid artificial sweeteners.

So, though I love my coffee in the morning, I certainly wouldn't drink it with the idea of giving me energy for biking.

[IFjane]

I agree with you, Lisa. I use energy drinks (Accelerade usually) on long rides and when it is really hot. In the off season I usually only take water & supplement with energy bars or gels. My only complaint is that the drinks get too sweet tasting for me after a while. I prefer plain old water.

[Jenn]

I have PVC's and tachychardia so I have to be careful with caffeine, and these have very little, it's MOSTLY B vitamins, guarna, and taurine. I was just curious if anybody else used them. I CONSTANTLY drink water or green tea, I can't do coffee.

[Veronica]

I drink a Red Bull when I get home from work, before riding. Days I don't, I feel sluggish.

I also drink them in the middle of a long ride. Long being 60 miles or more.

V.

[Kitsune06]

Some things to consider
Studies relating performance to caffeine

cycling performance tips

Seems like in order to see appreciable gains because of caffeine use, you need to intake a decent amount (180mg?) and at that point you start really seeing its diuretic properties. I know I've read somewhere that the diuretic properties are lessened during periods of increased activity, but having to hop off your bike for a pit stop is no fun...

For my personal experience, I like redbull or rockstar juiced before a ride, but it's by no means necessary. I don't know that I see that much of an enhancement other than a general increase in alertness.
oh, and I can't do coffee- it makes me have to pee too much, too often. Not fun when trying to do a long ride/stay properly hydrated. For some reason, caffeine pills, redbull and rockstar don't have this effect on me. hmm.

[Jenn]

Some things to consider
Studies relating performance to caffeine

cycling performance tips


For my personal experience, I like redbull or rockstar juiced before a ride, but it's by no means necessary. I don't know that I see that much of an enhancement other than a general increase in alertness.
oh, and I can't do coffee- it makes me have to pee too much, too often. Not fun when trying to do a long ride/stay properly hydrated. For some reason, caffeine pills, redbull and rockstar don't have this effect on me. hmm.

Same here, coffee goes RIGHT through me, and it may sound crazy, but I kinda like the sweet and sour taste of them..it's probably just a mental thing, but ANYTHING to get me going on those days, when my brain says GO and my body says NO.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I like a double shot espresso latte in the morning, and that seems to have very little diuretic effect on me, as opposed to regular brewed coffee. Perhaps the milk content and the fact that espresso has less caffeine per serving than brewed coffee has something to do with it.

[RoadRaven]

I use a high caffiene one like Red Bull before time trials, about 15 minutes before my start.

I use caffiene in the morning sometimes to kick-start my day... (coffee and milo - my daughter calls ita miloffee).

If i want energy though, I don't drink "energy drinks".

Like has been already said, caffiene based drinks are a quick boost, a kick-start... thats all. No long -term energy benefits to be had, but certainly a place for them.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I drink FRS in the mornings after I get up, then I switch to coffee at the office. A couple of FRS chews before riding and Powerade/water while riding.

www.frsenergy.com (got the tip from a racer-friend... BEFORE Lance joined in)