Caffeine before riding

[alpinerabbit]

I don't think there's reason to be that scared fo triglycerides - The only way of utilizing body fat is mobilizing it from adipose tissue into the bloodstream and then burning it in the place of energy consumption i.e. muscle. Hence it must go into the bloodstream as free triglycerides if you want to burn any. So I see no risk there of having an elevated triglyceride level while you exercise. Also note that it's free fatty acids and not lipoprotein bound (HDL/LDL) fatty acids so there will be a different (read likely not negative) impact on the CV system.

Also no need to be scared of coffee in moderation -

From the Journal of AMA: (JAMA, 26 Jan. 1994, p. 280-3.)
"There was a significant association between (drinking
more) caffeinated coffee and decreasing bone mineral density at
both the hip and the spine, independent of age, obesity, years
since menopause, and the use of tobacco, estrogen, alcohol,
thiazides, and calcium supplements [in women]."
Except when:
"Bone density did not vary [...] in women who reported
drinking at least one glass of milk per day during most of their
adult lives."

So.... enough calcium in your diet, and the occasional pre-or during ride coffee, caffeinated gel, and you're fine. I'm not saying there is no danger if you have 16 espressos a day.

Then there's the stimulant effect, towards the end of a long hard ride it will help you overcome fatigue. It also suppresses hunger which may or may not be a good thing.

As a negative impact, you will excrete some more water (and I always have to go to the loo 45 min into the ride, if I've had coffee). Also blood flow to the heart will be somewhat restricted resulting in a higher heart rate.

Lance would get up at 6 am, have 4 espressos (!), and then stretch for an hour. So it seems to work.


"Omnia sunt venena, nihil est sine veneno. Sola dosis facit venenum." - Paracelsus (Everything is poison, nothing is without poison. Only the dose makes the poison)