How do I avoid that totally depleted feeling after a long ride?

[ccnyc]

Spazz -
I'm impressed... you're a real athlete (not like me), apparently with nerves of steel. The traffic (and the streets themselves) have gone from bad to worse in the last few years.
I'm working on how I can get up to the park during the week... until then it's the trainer for me.
Thanks for the good advice and encouragement.

Carol

[Dogmama]

Carol,

The fat in the nuts may slow down the absorption of the sugar in the dried fruit in your lara bars. Ditto on the cheese & bananas. If you can get a non-fatty source of protein so that your sugars digest and get into your muscles more quickly, you may feel better.

This is the second time I've heard of lara bars on this board. The no sugar part appeals to me. I'll have to scope some out.

[ccnyc]

Dogmama -

You are right, the fat does slow down sugar absorption. I'm so used to slowing down how fast sugar gets into my bloodstream it would never occur to me to take it "straight".
I'm gonna try the juice plus protein powder and see what happens. Hope it doesn't set off any sugar/starchy carb cravings.

As a nutritionist I can highly recommend Larabars. High quality ingredients, great taste, very satisfying and no junk in it. The only problem is that the ingredients are not organic. I've found that these do not promote, in my experience, sweet/starchy carb cravings.

Carol

[Dogmama]

Please be sure to post your experience with the juice/protein combo and if it sets off carb/sugar cravings. I've been having carb/sugar cravings like crazy lately.

[CorsairMac]

what have you been eating different Dogmama??....I've found when I get my carb/sugar cravings it's because sometime in the last 24 hrs I ate something that I shouldn'thaveoutta! I usually just eat some nuts or I keep dried unsweetened Mango strips around and that seems to help me get over the "bump".

[ccnyc]

The decision to stay with my current riding group, drop down a level or drop out totally has been made for me. Last night I stubbed my toe so badly on my trainer that I went to the ER and found out that I have a crack at the base of my toe. No riding for me for at least 3 weeks or more!

Now I'll finally get to fully recover from my last exhausting ride, but I'll lose any base I've already acquired.

I am soooo bummed.

Carol

[Crash]

And you thought the streets of NYC were dangerous. Hope you heal quickly and get back to cycling with renewed energy.