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First cycling race license

 

This may end up a bit of a ramble because there is a lot of history and emotion behind the topic.

Some of this will surprise people. I put in a lot of hours of training each week, and most people likely have no idea of my struggles. I mentioned the downhills and neuro stuff here and there, but I suppose I didn’t like how it made me look “less than” in a way. But with a disability in some ways, I am not as good as others, and it’s something you have to learn to accept.

The same girl winning Zwift races, doing their FTP for an hour, can’t grab a drink on a ride; it’s a paradox.

Now, if we start at the beginning, in 2021, I started road cycling in the UK. I noticed “issues”, but the consensus was that as I gained more experience these issues would disappear.

They didn’t disappear.

I also noticed my issues fluctuated; again, I didn’t really think that much of it at the time. I had neurological issues since I was 12 that fluctuated, so, in a way, it was normal to have the good & bad day thing. I cycled with various clubs, with very experienced riders, and again nobody pulled out the “is this something neurological?” card.

Some people are not so quick to pathologise issues. Although the terms narcissist and autism are thrown around as casually as a hello these days, stuff like this people minimise.

This is a quick illustration of what “pathologise” means vs explaining away.

A man wants his books in a row; the man has a tantrum because the books are not in a row, the woman says “you’re autistic” or “you have OCD”. This is pathologising the issue, which MAY be 100% correct; you could also give other reasons for this: he is tidy, he likes when there is order, he is meticulous (see making it a good vs bad thing), he respects his books,  you get the drift. So you can jump to a medical diagnosis, or you can find other reasons to justify this example, my example, most examples.

In my example, a lot of people never thought to pathologise at all, which is odd given my past neurological diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, which I’m pretty open about. The “mystery object” in my cerebellum, on the other hand, which is newer and maybe the culprit, most didn’t know about, as I was in the “maybe if I ignore it, it will go away” stage.

Let me also point out that my symptoms on the bike were less pre-2024, but still, looking back (hindsight and all that jazz), it is crazy no one questioned why I struggled with such small things!

Then we skip forward to 2024; I moved to Germany and in the spring had an episode we still do not have a better name for other than “a stroke-like event”, and life changed. Cycling all summer was a crapshoot. I had good and bad days; I still ploughed forward, even if I was slower than I had been and had to stop a lot because of my balance. I had such an overnight change; emotionally, this was hard to process. (and still is) .

Basically, the left side of my body had numbness/weakness issues. I had oscillopsia (I still do to varying degrees), which is best described as “stuff moves”. I’m sure you have seen a shimmer on the road on a hot day; it’s a mirage. Well, you can see that on a road on any given day if you have oscillopsia. Some roads are shinier (and more annoying). Rain?  That can make the road a mirror (very bad). Cobbles and other patterns- can’t look at it to save my life. Other bumpy roads? The horizon can jiggle.

For the non-medical crowd, your eyes can be important for your overall balance. I say “can” because some folks have amazing balance without them.

Balance is a three-system job: vision, the inner-ear vestibular system, and proprioception (sensors in muscles, joints, and skin). Ultimately, everything is then processed in the brain.

You know how people grab their bidon, have a drink and put it back? That is your balance working. When you grab your phone out of your pocket, or a tissue or a gel? I mean, if you want to talk about expert mode, you have the guys in the pro peloton who adjust their bike, take off rain jackets, etc.

For me? All of this has never been possible. My right hand can come off the bar sometimes, with some forethought, but only for small tasks. And like everything, it fluctuates. Some days it’s better than others; some days the hand does not come off the shifter for anything. The left hand? HA HA HA that wanker is just about glued there!

So bottles, gels, etc I do at turns/lights, etc. Again, no one really questioned this until 2024 and my “episode we don’t have a label for”.

Now, we come to something I am famous for: downhills. This is when my ataxia really kicks my ass because gravity is working with you instead of against you, and ataxia makes that extra momentum hard to control.

I am faster uphill, but science explains it. (Well, there is some talent there too, let’s not forget!)

Uphill is metabolically harder, but mechanically it is much more forgiving for me. I have resistance against the pedals and less of that feeling of being pulled forward. I am pushing against gravity. The brain is working less; the muscles are working more.  It is mechanically more stable for someone whose main problem is balance rather than raw strength. And being tiny is an advantage 😛

Downhill, I don’t have the resistance to push again.  Your brain is processing a lot more at the time, and you have various stimuli to tell your brain if it’s “safe” and where you’re at on the road. Cerebellar ataxia specifically is worse, and the result is a feeling that you’re being pulled forward. (Some days I’m lucky and go downhill in a headwind, so I have the resistance even though I’m going downhill and it makes everything easier; don’t forget I said easier, not perfect 😆)

And no talk about downhills is complete without talking about fear. Going downhill IS more dangerous, and it CAN be more scary for even the best riders. I obviously have downhills where I live that I hate and get anxious on the approach. (There is a very steep, busy road one that drives me nuts, for example)

If the cars are close and annoying, the anxiousness ramps up; some are just steep, and side wind can then make a cocktail of “fuck my life, why am I on a bike?” Some days are easier than others, but even on those I’m using way more brain cells to get down the hill than one should, and given my size, yeah, that obviously makes me slower.

What else do races have? Oh yes, corners. Well, to my dismay, the para cycling world often has small crit-like circuits. Tighter corners, fewer hills, etc.

There are time trials, which can mean fewer corners (the worlds right now in the US has several).

Something from my classification that stood out: “most riders in my category have other issues, but they have their balance so the corners are not a problem.” And he’s right, but yeah that bloody hit me like a knife.

The topic of racing on a trike has come up. I HAVE looked at trikes in 2025 after a mountain biker hit me and I sustained a concussion. Life changed,  and the ataxia was the worst. My balance just completely went to shit. And more issues started, with my hands, speech, etc. Some companies make a special axle for trikes. So basically it is a road bike frame with 2 wheels vs 1 in the back.

Last year, just knowing you could buy these really helped me. There WAS an option if my balance didn’t return. Not long after the crash, I couldn’t ride at all; I was stuck inside on Zwift while it was lovely outside. I really struggled, and it took SEVERAL months to get to where I am today, which is much better, but still with disability.

Trikes come with downsides as well, but it would remove one of the things that currently puts me at a disadvantage and let the racing be more about my actual cycling ability, as Zwift does. But it is more complicated to transport, and how they ride is a mystery. And well, it isn’t a 2-wheeler; god knows how that will go down on social media. I’m already harassed for my low saddle height and pedals.

So for now, I’m racing as a C2 paracyclist and figuring out what comes next. I’ve got some races I’m looking at for next month, and now it’s mostly about getting my head around the whole thing — and getting the bits and bobs I need to actually race them and exploring the trike option.

I do need bits and bobs for the races; if you’d like to help out, reach out via Twitter DM or my links.

 

 

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Need a writer?

Drop me an email or message on social media

 

I have several years of experience copywriting and editing for various companies, as well as writing original content, stories- you name it, and I’ve likely written it.

 

 

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Cycling in Germany 10 tips

I need to preface this with this: I wrote this while living in the area of Freiburg, Munich is VERY different.

  1. There are rules, and Germans like their rules and will usually follow them, except for when they don’t. There is no rhyme or reason to when this may happen. So be prepared!
  2. During the day, during the week is the best time to cycle. (outside of commuting hours) I know this is the same advice for most places, but here in Germany, I notice a big difference on Saturday and usually Sunday too. Boy racers prefer the weekends to go out with their car friends to test if their car engines still work. Wednesday afternoon and Friday afternoon are basically days off. No, I don’t know why.
  3. Related to point 2. weekend cyclists. Often, on e-bikes, they are out enjoying the sunshine but have little road cycling skills. Families will also be out en force. They will block the cycle paths, and little Joey may look cute but don’t think for a second that kid won’t cycle right across in front of you, giving zero fucks. Universal advice here: Be careful around kids and dogs.
  4. Cars will often slow and wave you through/in. Even if this means they will need to overtake you 30 seconds later. It makes zero sense. I take the offer, smile or wave and roll my eyes at the whole thing. Please see point 1. There are always people who disregard the rules or will be distracted. Don’t get lazy.  
  5. Cycle paths come in all shapes and sizes. They can be on the left, the right, narrow or wide enough to be called a motorway. They can stop without warning, change sides of the road, or switch to gravel. You are supposed to use them when they are there; you will see people ignore this rule. When the speed limit is high, you may prefer the cycle lane.
  6. I’m told flashing rear lights are against the law. Police have told me they are legal. I see them often. I’d say for most roads you don’t need one (daytime, normal light), but for some darker areas you do, I always run mine, better safe than sorry.
  7. Road surfaces vary, and it seems they enjoy digging up parts of the road and then forgetting about it. Disconcerting when you’re going fast on a downhill to see part of the road ahead missing!
  8. You will seldom have someone honk or shout at you. Close passes happen, but it’s not common, usually a foreigner vs. local. (You can tell where the Germans and others are from if you look at the number plate) Shouting “bloody foreigners” even though you are a foreigner, feels good, I highly recommend it!
  9. I never see public toilets, unlike in Sweden. If they have them somewhere, they are well hidden. I have seen a million machines in every spot imaginable to buy cigarettes, though, and don’t ask me why, I have no idea!
  10.  Do you like Jesus? You are in luck, you will see him everywhere! Ok this is the south, maybe it’s different up north, but I have never seen so many crosses in my life!

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Cycling in England

Depending on where you’re from, this introduction to cycling in England may shock or make you feel at home.

  1. Car drivers do not like you; remember this. Not ALL car drivers, but for the most part, this is true. They aren’t your friend when you’re cycling on the road. You have to always look out for what they are doing (or not doing).
  2. Right of way is meaningless. Always look and assume the worst. You can have the right away while also being on the ground in pain because the car driver didn’t care about the rules.
  3. Do you get turned on by being called names? If so, you’re in luck! And let’s not limit the abuse to verbal, you will also be honked at (and no, it’s not because you look hot in lycra), and if you’re unlucky, something of some sort c̶a̶n̶ will be thrown at you.
  4. Roundabouts: reread point 2. You do NOT have any rights here; you are at the mercy of the whims of the car drivers! Some days will be easy, and you may just be able to venture out into the roundabout without saying a hail Mary beforehand, but other days, be prepared to wait.
    Directional signals mean nothing.
  5. Those leafy overhangs are lovely in summer, but any time of year, they make it very hard to see a cyclist, so use a rear light that flashes!
  6. Cycle lanes come in all shapes, sizes and lengths. They can be 4 inches wide or 3 feet wide. They can last a few minutes or an hour. Be prepared for whatever space you’re given in your “cycling lane”  for the car drivers to feel that 2 cm over the white line is where they are allowed to drive. You may find that the cycle lane makes life worse.
  7. Holes, holes and more holes. Beware of the holes. I have no idea where England sources its road surfaces from. I suspect they are getting the scraps no other country wants! There will be holes here, there and everywhere, look out for them.
  8. Be prepared to always be in the wrong place. If there is a cycle lane, people will tell you to cycle on the road; if you cycle on the road, they will say to cycle on the pavement. You are always wrong; get used to it.
  9. MAMILS come in all shapes and sizes and different levels of friendliness. Typically, it is best to stay away. Oh, and don’t for one second assume the fancy bike and lycra means they know what they are doing on the road, you may end up finding out the hard way.
  10. Get bike insurance! Don’t leave your bike outside if you can help it. Theft is a real issue in London and even small towns in the middle of nowhere and it’s just getting worse. Even with the best locks, bikes are stolen at alarming rates.

 

More may be added to the list, but these are the main points for now. And for those of you reading this, saying to yourself, “I never had a problem” Well, lucky you, most have.

For those who need to be told, there is an element of satire, obviously.

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Can people dislike cyclists yet respect them?

I’ve cycled more kilometres abroad than in the UK by now.  I have seen countless interactions between cars and bikes.
I’m cycling around the same time of day, same bike, same kit, so the only variable is the world around me, i.e., the car drivers.
As of today, I’d still rank Sweden (and likely Denmark as a tie) for the safest place to cycle. Although the topic I’d like to explore today is Germany’s love/hate with cyclists.
I know from my time on UK roads that car drivers in the UK aren’t keen on cyclists. The number of close passes and road rage episodes is countless. 10 mins on Twitter and you can confirm it isn’t just happening to me. If you look at social media, you’ll see countless posts full of hate against cyclists. Social media and real life mirror each other. And I know people will want to come back with the “not all car drivers” retort, but it is hard to argue that there isn’t an issue on UK roads.
Now for Germany. As a very petite female solo cyclist, I have spent around ̶4̶,̶5̶0̶0̶ 25,000km on German roads. I have cycled on bike paths that cross regular roads, through towns and various main roads, some with cars feeling the need to show off how fast their metal box can go!
I have had a few people pull out without looking, close passes, well, close for Germany and some very close “almost shit your pants” moments. 
BUT
For the most part, many wave me to allow me in, give me lots of room while overtaking, and wait for me to cross before they turn. Something I know they never did in the UK. All in all, not Swedish level but pretty good and light years ahead of the UK.
Now for the confusing part, the other day I stumbled across a local Facebook group and there was a discussion about cyclists. Oh, and did I get a shock! Many comments are on par with the British car drivers who are against cyclists in the UK! But how? Why? These people are generally so polite and kind when I’m cycling, so how can they hate us so much? (Although some of this I can understand, as I have a lot of issues with German cyclists, another topic)
After asking some Germans, they aren’t keen on us Lycra-wearing, 2 wheel-loving people. But then why the mismatch? Why am I not being honked at? No one is swearing at me. Why is social media not the same as real life?
I’m not a German, so it’s hard to know, but my suspicion is respect for the rules and a moral stance of not wanting to hurt people.
Some people do break the rules; these people are always in society but they are few and not the majority.

Perhaps an innate respect for doing the right thing can momentarily overcome the dislike for cyclists? At least while behind the wheel.

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Do you need a bike fit?

The quick answer is: it depends.

Some folks are good at knowing exactly which size bike they need and getting a good fit. Others depend on the shop staff to help and happened upon someone who knows what works for the cyclist vs what is in stock that they can sell.

Then we have people who don’t know what fits and or combined with shop staff that also don’t know.

My first road bike was a Trek Domane, and it was totally the wrong geometry for me. The shop was trying to sell what they had, vs what I needed and when I called with issues, they tried to sell me “a bike fit”. This all ended up being an expensive mistake, as I didn’t get back nearly what I paid for the bike. Obviously, I was pissed off, so I spent more hours than I’d care to admit researching the topic.

This resulted in me buying a new bike, online, so sight unseen and crossing my fingers that it would fit when it arrived. A week later, I had a shiny new Cannondale Super Six Evo, and then the real fun started. First off, I HAD to change the saddle (amazing how much money you can spend on a bike to get the cheapest bike saddle known to man!) (It’s taken a few saddles (and lots of money) to get to my current setup)

Next, I increased the stem length to give me more stability (80mm to 100mm)  and then swapped it for smaller handlebars. (38 to 34)

Some things were a bit of playing around with to get right. Adjusting here and there. I tried putting my saddle lower/higher, forward and back.

(there was also the introduction of the 2nd Super Six Evo after a car hit me with the first, 2 weeks into owning it, and obviously replacing all of those parts I had just replaced, for the 2nd incarnation of the bike)

I had guys from club rides mock my set-up and whatever I did, as a girl, what did I know?

I still have people (or should I say men) on Twitter arguing my saddle is too low *insert rolling eyes emoji here*

I did have a pro bike fit done in 2022, and you know what? Totally messed up my setup.

Whatever I did, something kept nagging at me; the bike was always still a bit big for me. I’m tiny if you looked at  A little about me

There was a lot of talk about 650c wheels, which are not stock these days, and obviously, you’d need a bike made to run them. So about 10k to give them a go. I looked at 650b which you can buy and is more affordable but it took a while to take that plunge.

When Loki came into my life, it was a whole new game of tweaking this and tweaking that. He didn’t like the 34 handlebars, so had to buy some 36s and cut some off. (no idea why but the SRAM shifters wouldn’t fit on the 34 bars, the Shimano shifters fit on the Cannondale with the smaller bars, but alas Loki wasn’t having it.) Also swapped the stem to a 90mm, they didn’t have a 100mm in stock and so far I’m ok with the 90mm. A fiddle here and there, but from the start, the bike just felt like it “fit better”.

Now interestingly, the geometry of the 2 bikes is very similar, just a tad different here and there. Those little differences, different carbon etc can make a bigger difference than you’d imagine. And I still can’t pinpoint the exact reason!

And then I finally tried 650b wheels, and a new world opened up! I’m still playing with tyre options but I’m so much happier. Besides just falling in love with Loki (yes my Cervélo has a name) it just rides so much better. I sold the Cannondale if that tells you how in love I am!!

The 650b wheels brought me lower to the ground and the wider tyres made everything more stable. Wind at my size isn’t fun, even a twig could just about throw me off on the Cannondale with my 700c tyres. The 650b’s roll up to speed faster and maybe they are slower on the flats, but the stability and increase in speed downhill matter to me more.

 

(I did switch back to 700c wheels…., yes I need to write a part 2)

 

Now back to bike fitting. There are a lot of people in the bike fitting market who know nothing about bike fitting. They are just going off rough ideas and trying to sell you a service, then products they recommend during this service. A good salesperson should be able to tell if the bike fits properly before selling you the bike, but again, from my experience and many others, it is often “just sell the customer what they have and get them out of the door”. (Covid and supply issues exacerbated the issue)

There are a few very qualified bike fitters in the world, but finding who is legit, can be a bit difficult. Also, are they used to fitting men? Women? Racers vs commuters? I totally recommend doing research on your own and asking knowledgeable friends as a starting point. You may find this is all you need. Then if you need to pay for help, seek out someone who has good reviews and isn’t in the biz just to sell you stuff.

GCN has asked the pros if they had bike fits and you may be shocked to know this, but several have never had a proper bike fit. The shops trying to sell you their expensive bike fit, saying it’s “essential” likely won’t tell you this important tidbit of information.

I’ve spent a lot of money on parts, even 2 bikes that didn’t really fit properly, wheels that were good but too big for me, you name it and I’ve wasted money on it in this journey. To add to the difficulty, I’m also a unique size so the bike industry isn’t really making products for people my size. In the end, besides finally having a bike I love, I’ve learned loads in the process. if you get an off-the-shelf bike that fits perfectly, keep this to yourself! No one wants to know! Especially not me!

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Does watts per kg matter?

Yes, no and maybe.

First, it all depends on what you’re hoping to achieve with your cycling. Commuting to work? Buying groceries or wanna-be racer?

The majority of amateur cyclists don’t need to know. If you’re trying to improve your times, get some KOM/QOMs on Strava, it may be a metric you will know more about, but does it help in any way? No, it just is another way of saying your power output.

It’s a number, nothing more, nothing less.

But I said yes above, didn’t I? Ok, so this is why it can be a metric that shows your power is very good on the bike and if you’re competitive like me, this is a good thing. It is also a metric that can be helpful if you are tiny also like me.

400 watts isn’t always 400 watts

400 watts / 95kg = 4.21 watts per kg.

400 watts / 44kg = 9.09 watts per kg.

Notice how the total watts stay the same, but obviously, for the lighter rider the watts per kg are higher? So this is an example where the watts per kilo are more useful than the total watts. Does it mean anything more? No, not really.

If you are hoping to be the next hill climb champ, the next TDF winner, then higher watts per kg is going to be your goal in life. It means you’re going to be faster uphill. On the flats, on the downhills? The weight difference matters less, and for downhills is a disadvantage if anything. (Physics is fickle)

I like to say my watts per kg as the total number can be smaller than many men who are double my size, but given my SIZE my number is the same or higher.

For the average club rider, it really is just useless numbers or bragging material or a mixture of both.

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Fuel on the bike aka what to eat while cycling

First, let’s address the topic of using the term “fuel” This is obviously a cool professional cycling term, and the term is a little misleading.

There are wanna-be professionals that will use this term for basically everything they ingest, and it’s obnoxious. If you want to be technical, every single human on the planet is ingesting “fuel” so they can live.

It doesn’t sound very special anymore, now does it?

Obviously, when the body is under stress, including exercise, the intake of carbs and glucose needs to be increased. But this needs to be increased before you even start exercising because it’s not an instantaneous process.

Various chemical processes take place within the body, which in the end turn your gel or bagel into energy. The time needed to process and turn your food into glycogen/ATP/energy is debated depending on what you read, but if you don’t eat well and go out and try to do 100 km tomorrow, you’re probably going to feel tired.

After reading way too much about what is ideal to eat before cycling, during cycling and even after cycling, I have concluded that nobody wants to hear:

There is no one perfect answer for everyone.

Yes, I know this is very devastating news, and what it means is that you actually have to take the time to figure out what is best for you.

Before any big event, you are going to have to eat more. What exactly you’re going to have to eat depends on your dietary preferences, your digestion and your event. I know some people who absolutely swear by rice, and it makes my stomach hurt, so anyone who tells you that there’s just one perfect food is misleading.

Obviously, carbs are your friend. Carbs will help you store glycogen, and you’re going to need liquids for this whole fun factory of energy happening. This could be water, this could be juice, definitely not beer and wine, especially before your event.

Like a lot of people, I love oatmeal. I usually have it every morning, and I might have a second serving in the day. I find it very easy to digest. I prepare mine with water, and I usually add blueberries (which are super antioxidants). Oats are very good for lowering cholesterol, so it’s a great superfood. If you can’t eat oatmeal, don’t knock yourself. There are just as many people who swear on rice. Again, you have to figure out what your body can tolerate and digest.

If there is a big ride and or event, and if you have prepared properly, you would’ve eaten well for a few days, and the breakfast before showtime is just going to be that little bit extra that you need, it’s not going to be the main course, as to say.

Now, for an even more controversial topic, what to eat while cycling.

Here’s another one that nobody wants to hear: it all depends on what works for you. There is a wide array of energy drinks, gummies,  candies and energy gels. You have to try various things to figure out what your favourite is and what works best for you.

Some people prefer food, and some prefer gels.

It is frustrating and sad when people have to argue on the Internet with strangers about what works best for them. I have no problem with gels; they don’t give me any stomach issues, and I find them very effective. This doesn’t mean fuck all in life. It is ridiculous the amount of harassment I have had because of my lack of “real food” during a long ride. If you actually know about metabolism, you would realise that your body breaks that food down to the same exact molecule, the gel is just quicker, that’s all.

Glucose, your body lives on glucose!

Some people prefer drinking their carbs in energy drinks again, it all depends on you and what works best for your body!

Of course, one of the best parts of a ride is the cake stop and no shock, but there are differing opinions on what to have. There is the flapjack option (some feel this is healthier when usually it’s not, or actually having cake at the cake stop, as it’s called a bloody cake stop!

Some crazy people actually eat like real meals. I don’t quite understand this, but if that’s what makes them happy, they should go for it. Personally, I love cake, so I usually have cake. Especially if there is something I like if you’re curious, my favourite is usually:

Carrot cake

Coffee cake

or some blueberry concoction, and yes, I have left out cheesecake because it’s a little heavy for cycling, but I have done this (and regretted it later)

Now this is where I get complicated. I have just expressed my undying love for cake, and I gave you three options for my favourite because they are all my favourites, but if I want the second half of my ride to give me the best results?

I will NOT eat the cake.

Ok, I will give you a moment to digest that one (good use of puns is my superpower)

I have found time and time again that although I enjoy eating the cake, if I want to ride my bike afterwards, it doesn’t help. I end up with some sort of stomach pain, and I then have slower times. I have also had sugar crashes after having some particularly icing-filled, lovely cakes.

So what I’d like to have and what is actually best for me if I were looking to be at the top of my performance are two different things. A similar problem with coffee, I do love coffee, but coffee is a diuretic. As a woman, I don’t really like having to get naked on the side of the road when I have to piss so I typically will have an espresso if I’m going to have coffee on a ride. I don’t really like espresso, but it’s the least amount of liquid if I want to have a caffeine hit.

There is way too much snobbery surrounding this topic. You can call it food, you can call it fuel, whatever you fancy calling it, it all turns into ATP, aka energy.

So play around with different options and see what makes you feel better, and maybe you’ll realise that having a full breakfast at the cafe stop makes you slower but you’re okay with that because you actually enjoy having breakfast with your friends. You may find that Coke is your new best friend, the version in the red can, not the other one, which is not recommended while cycling.

What works for one person is not going to work for everyone.

When you look at carb intake per hour, remember that this is based on weight + intensity. Just because Joe has 120 g of carbs per hour doesn’t mean you have to. Again, it’s all based on your weight and intensity.

I typically see recommendations of .5 to 1 g of carbs per kilo per hour. Again, you need to play around with that and see where you fall in the spectrum. You may need more, or you may need less.

If you’re doing a long ride or an event, no matter what you think you need, make sure you have that extra gel or substitute item, as it may come in handy. (I speak from experience!)

After you’re done exercising, it’s a good idea to have some sort of recovery drink. This could be something as simple as chocolate milk or a protein shake. Something ideally with protein and carbs to help kick start the replenishing of glycogen. Ideally, within 30 minutes to an hour after you’re done. Again, some people have never done this in their life and they feel absolutely wonderful, but other people will crash. You will figure out easily which camp you fall into.

Someone asked about using something like squash versus the manufactured energy drinks or tablets for the water and some people make up their own concoctions using salt and sugar and it works for them. It can be a lot easier to just use a premade product that you know exactly what is in it. I have met people who have sworn by everything under the sun, including having milky coffee in a bidon.

Some can handle 1 brand of gel but not another. Experimenting is the only way you’re going to know. I’ve tried several gels, my overall favourite is Torq, they are small, compact, and taste the best. I also use SIS beta fuel, and high 5. I never tried the super expensive ones. Given how much I ride and lacking of a sponsor, I just can’t justify trying them.

If you are not looking to race and you just want to get out and enjoy riding your bike, a lot of this is overthinking. Although you should have something with you in case you start feeling like you’re going to bonk or feel lightheaded, have something sugary to hand.

 

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