Bonking

**JLMitchell** · 07-25-2008, 10:54 AM

I've been trying things out. Biking isn't the same as swimming for me. I know, duh, but I figured exercising is exercising. Up until very recently, I was almost exclusively a swimmer, with a little running mixed in. I've been swimming for eons, often for two hours a workout or more. I rarely hit the wall hard doing that, even on hard days. I guess my body, being accustomed to that sort of exercise, learned to operate on a nearly empty tank...? I remember days when I didn't feel like eating so early in the morning, so I just didn't, or I had a slice of bread and I'd be fine. Definitely not working at my optimum, but not completely useless, either.

Anyway, with biking, I've found that I need to eat a lot. I've been drinking a lot of water and having a bar or a gel midway and it's like I have new life toward the end. Y'all were right; my body really isn't that picky when it comes to snacks. I just need something. I've left the flavored drinks for after the ride, if at all. The group leader whipped up his recovery shake for me one day and I felt wonderful after a painfully hilly thirty-miler. I didn't trudge through the rest of the day like I thought I would, so I will probably add that to my arsenal of nutrition. Thanks, y'all, I appreciate the responses, really.

**TahoeDirtGirl** · 07-26-2008, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by indysteel
(or Paydays, my new favorite food).

Are you talking about the candy bar? or is this a new energy bar? That's a name I haven't seen for a while....

**deeaimond** · 07-26-2008, 09:41 PM

I totally went out of gas 20 km into my ride today. fortunately there was a convenience store right there. stopped to buy an isotonic drink. after that i was alright. not a very good feeling though.. keeping food down while riding is not easy. but u need it.. so its quite a catch 22. u eat just enough to keep it down but u need to do it so often and like my friends say 'u just fart and its gone'

**bounceswoosh** · 07-27-2008, 08:23 AM

What does your food consumption look like when you're not prepping for a ride? I noticed that when I switched to a diet that included more whole grains, veggies, etc, and reduced the amount of sugar, refined flour, all that other high-GI (glycemic index) stuff, I didn't have nearly as many problems with getting hungry / bonking while exercising, or even in general. (No more mid-afternoon food cravings where I'm so starving I'll stuff any old garbage into my mouth.)

**tulip** · 07-28-2008, 09:01 AM

After rides of a couple of hours (I eat during the ride--Powerbar usually), I stop and get a bottle of chocolate milk and pretzles. Chocolate milk is a very good recovery drink. Pretzles are salty and solid.

**skingsbury** · 07-29-2008, 10:02 AM

I have been riding outside (as opposed to spinning) for about 2 years. I hardly ever have a really "good" ride, unless maybe a 15 mile flat ride along the beach. It seems as though every time I ride, my legs just get weak and lately I've been getting such horrible cramps in my thighs that I have to throw my bike to the ground and walk around until they go away... I try to drink a lot of liquids, but I am diabetic so I have to be a little careful about what I put in my body. I'm just not sure why my legs get so weak - any suggestions??

**Cataboo** · 08-04-2008, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by skingsbury

I have been riding outside (as opposed to spinning) for about 2 years. I hardly ever have a really "good" ride, unless maybe a 15 mile flat ride along the beach. It seems as though every time I ride, my legs just get weak and lately I've been getting such horrible cramps in my thighs that I have to throw my bike to the ground and walk around until they go away... I try to drink a lot of liquids, but I am diabetic so I have to be a little careful about what I put in my body. I'm just not sure why my legs get so weak - any suggestions??

It's hard to say because you're a diabetic... if you're getting cramps, I'd say your electrolytes are low, but I'm not sure what would appropriate for you to eat or drink. Your doctor or nutritionist might be good for suggestions for that.

I love shot blocks with caffeine, instant energy after a bonk.

**madscot13** · 08-07-2008, 07:54 PM

I always get cravings for real food when I am riding. maybe I need to stop riding at meal times. Or maybe I need to bring a pasta dish/ frozen pizza and see if I can heat it up on my rear rack.

**TahoeDirtGirl** · 08-08-2008, 04:34 AM

skingsbury- Do you have a diabetes educator that you can see? I'm not sure if you are type I or II but either case, they should understand your needs best. If you are on meds, I have a friend of mine that had the severe thigh cramping from something he was taking.

**tzvia** · 08-09-2008, 06:36 AM

I've been drinking Seriesse Amla Rush and Essential Green Tea (mixed together) before I ride, and I take it on the ride too. However, I don't believe in any 'energy' drink over water; I keep the Amla aside for when I feel like I am about to bonk. And yes, PayDay bars! Sugar and peanuts washed down with Amla, followed by some water. If I need more, I will stop and get a a hotdog or something, and double my water intake. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is listen to what your body is saying, in my case I look for a blend of protien, salt, suger and antioxidants and lots of water.

Tzvia

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