Bonking isn't just about long rides

[LBTC]

wow, this is a great thread! Yes, I could tell that there was something different about carbs for women than for men, but I haven't found any place to read about it....so could only go with "this works for me"

just about any workout needs carbs and protein a few hours before, long enough to digest. I prefer potatoes and cheese, and sometimes ham or bacon in there, as it seems to get to me fastest and best. pasta always makes me feel heavy. during rides, I learned long ago I need water and an electrolyte drink. every ride. even the easy ones. I must admit, I often don't eat on a ride, and realize now that I probably should. if only I could find the thing that always tastes good even when all I want is a big juicy steak or sizzling bacon!! has anyone tried beef jerky for that??

what great information! If any of you have a link to an article about glycogen usage, please post it!

many thanks and
Namaste,
~T~

[oroight]

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/carbo-loading.html

Do we need to eat more carbs ?
Some guy told me that during a long ride we women have "peaks and troughs" in energy level.Well thats what l tell myself to get me home.....

[nuthatch]

Some guy told me that during a long ride we women have "peaks and troughs" in energy level.Well thats what l tell myself to get me home.....

Ha, ha! I have peaks and troughs all the time - not just on the bike! Seriously, I have to concentrate on eating while I'm riding, not the night before. Lots of carbs the night before just makes me feel all "loggy-headed" and slow-limbed. I'm like a Betsy-wetsy doll - energy in/energy out and no real storage capacity!

[CorsairMac]

I'm like a Betsy-wetsy doll........

Remind me to never ride behind you!

[Geonz]

I'm not so sure it's a gender thing. Might just be variation within the species. Yesterday's carbs work fine for me - I get hungry the day after, unless I'm riding hard then, too. Have ridden with males of the species who definitely hit the WALL.

[runnergirl]

Carb loading prior to a major event is less effective for women than it is for men. Here's a blurb from peak performance...

"One suggested explanation for this apparent discrepancy is that women have a lower respiratory exchange ratio (RER) than men, with men tending to use carbohydrate for energy and women tending to prefer lipids, possibly on account of hormonal differences. Another possibility is that women don’t ingest carbohydrate in sufficient quantities to facilitate muscle glycogen storage."

But as far as garden variety bonking, men and women are equal. Although since I've been doing endurance sports for a couple years I can go hard for 110 minutes before bonking, while hubby goes at 75-80 minutes.

[mtbdarby]

Would this explain why after my club rides Thursday night I'm wiped out for the weekend? I go right from work to the trails and ride for two hours on maybe a banana drinking only water. Afterwards, maybe an hour or so, we all go out to grab a bite to eat, but sometimes I just head home to bed without eating cuz I'm so tired. I've shied away from the performance bars because most have iodine in them or artificial sweetners, both of which are a no-no for me. Any ideas on what to eat in place of them?

Very interesting thread. Definitely got me thinking. Now my conscience can just holler at me "HEY, BONEHEAD, eat something before and during your ride!!!" Heck, maybe I wouldn't be the slow one if I did. Novel idea, huh?

[emily_in_nc]

I've shied away from the performance bars because most have iodine in them or artificial sweetners, both of which are a no-no for me. Any ideas on what to eat in place of them?

Do you like to bake at all? If so, you can make "healthy" cookies/bars like peanut butter/oatmeal/raison (with added protein powder, if desired) and the like. My husband hates paying the inflated prices for Powerbars and such so is always baking us goodies for the road. I am lucky to have a spouse who enjoys cooking and baking more than I do!

Emily

[oroight]

Ha, ha! I have peaks and troughs all the time - not just on the bike! Seriously, I have to concentrate on eating while I'm riding, not the night before. Lots of carbs the night before just makes me feel all "loggy-headed" and slow-limbed. I'm like a Betsy-wetsy doll - energy in/energy out and no real storage capacity!

Hi Nuthatch l have to concentrate on the road while eating while riding,as l havent managed to perfect this skill yet!!!
lm still looking into carb loading stuff,(l dunno,,, lve a few womens books on sprts performance and l cant find much real difference btwn men and women,(cept that men have way more muscle and we fat!)but lm still looking,as lm interersted.
lve a peak performance book by (no nonsense) nutritionist.She says an old way of carb loading (workout +deplete glycogen in muscle,eatlow carbs and keep exercising, then rest several days and carb up can make you feel bloated,. due to glycogen is stored with 3 times its weight in water. Amongst other illside effects.She says its recognised now that most effective form of carb load is a diet high in complex carbs regualrily Combined this with strenous workout then rest b4 an "event". You have to eat complex carbs regularily, train your muscles(liver) to store glycogen and to use it regularily, eat/drink on the bike,and top up your "glycogen tank" as soon as poss post ride (~30mins) oh yeah and drink an drink......
l did learn as we get older our pit stops increase in number !!!!!!