weakness

kavanagh_h

I cycled from Slane to ashbourne this morning. Its just a 47km cycle round trip and I felt that I would not make it home on the way back. I was getting cramps in my feet and had to stop 10 km from home to buy a lilt because I was so tired and just didn't think I would make it home. Why is this. I did this trip two week ago no problem and last week I cycled to ardee and back no bother which has much worse hills. I am supposed to be cycling from dublin to paris 1oo km a day next month and beginning to worry. Don't have the time to cycle every day. The last time was 13km on monday. I didn't eat brilliantly ysterday just sandwiches and tortilla chips. would this make so much difference - had muesli and banana before i left today. Was drinking lots of water. Help! is it normal to have a day like this now and again?

humbert

I'd be curious about this too. Did a cycle Tuesday that I just didn't have the energy for Thursday and I can't imagine I was still tired from Tuesday.

I put it down to diet as it was the only thing to have changed.

Trojan

Probably lack of decent carbs the day before. Have a good pasta before your next outing and see if you get the same. Sounds like the bonk.

blorg

Sounds like a touch of the bonk all right. Eating enough is very important.

As to whether it is normal, absolutely, we all have bad days from time to time. If you have been otherwise solid in your training I would not worry too much.

I think the Paris thing is a group cycle? It is a lot easier to do longer distances with a group, besides the aero benefits the conversation etc. takes your mind off the effort you are making.

kavanagh_h

blorg wrote: »

Sounds like a touch of the bonk all right. Eating enough is very important.

As to whether it is normal, absolutely, we all have bad days from time to time. If you have been otherwise solid in your training I would not worry too much.

I think the Paris thing is a group cycle? .

---

Thanks that's encouraging. Yes its a group event. Thanks also Trojan for the link. I can't believe I hit the wall!! Will definitely have to take the food advice more seriously. I didn't think 50 km was that far to be worried about the food intake the previous day.

Smithzer

Are you bringing any food with you?

kavanagh_h

Smithzer wrote: »

Are you bringing any food with you?

i used to but i never eat it. it's a 2hr 20 min cycle. i was feeling tired after an hour fifteen mins. i am still slow and i have a trek fitness bike with panier. cyclists on racers always whizz past me! I flew up the hills to ardee and back last week.

Smithzer

It would be good practice to get into for your trip, a couple of ceral bars or fig rolls and a banana is normally what I use, I'd bring an Isotonic as well as water.

That Hunterstown - Collon stretch can be a killer after a long spin.

victorcarrera

There is an old adage that says "Eat today for tomorrows cycle".
Very few of us would get very far/fast on tortila chips and sambos. Try getting your carbs from potatoes, pasta and porridge. Your protein from first cut meat and fish. Maybe multivatamin also. Drink plenty of water to help your body to store carbs. Take banana/apple/cereal bar and water on the bike and eat/drink regularly. Learn to identify the early signs of fatigue, sit up and soft pedal for a while, eat and drink a little and you should recover in 10 mins or so.
Its not unusual to have and off day. Ive had two in the past month. I put them down to a 24 hr virus (flu like symptoms) and food poisioning. On both occasions the stairs to the bedroom was the extent of my climbing abilities. Apart from nutrition and health do you need to consider smoking/alcohol/rest?

kavanagh_h

Smithzer wrote: »

It would be good practice to get into for your trip, a couple of ceral bars or fig rolls and a banana is normally what I use, I'd bring an Isotonic as well as water.

That Hunterstown - Collon stretch can be a killer after a long spin.

Yeah practically freewheeled into ardee in comparison only to discover the long hills on the way back! Again I had no problem last week with this. I will take your advice thanks.

kavanagh_h

victorcarrera wrote: »

There is an old adage that says "Eat today for tomorrows cycle".
...Apart from nutrition and health do you need to consider smoking/alcohol/rest?

Thanks for that Victorcarrera (sounds like a serious cyclist name - excuse my ignorance if its someone famous!!!) . I don't smoke, drink glass of wine with dinner on the very odd occasion. Think i will head to bed now as exhausted!

Potatoes and pasta it is before next time. Might not venture out tomorrow!

Captain Havoc

I've just carbed up for the morning with a lovely vindaloo. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone without a stomach of iron. Seriously though, drinking plenty of water the day before is also good. On the day if you put 1/2 a teaspoon of salt in your water bottle as sodium retains fluids in the body.

petethedrummer

blorg wrote: »

Sounds like a touch of the bonk all right. Eating enough is very important.

Yes, a touch of the bonk. Explanation.

kavanagh_h

jerseyeire wrote: »

On the day if you put 1/2 a teaspoon of salt in your water bottle as sodium retains fluids in the body.

I was reading the other string posts and that's the first time i heard of needing the salt and that you can get a whole pile of products to replace salts and other minerals. This boards is great. Must swot up on the nutrition for cyclists. Think I'll get the boards jersey too!

72hundred

petethedrummer wrote: »

Explanation.

haha, brilliant.