[Richard Cranium]

In other posts and threads, I got the impression that cyclists "need" a "special" diet to perform at their best.

I understand the need for additional water, and electrolytes if you are sweating a lot. And of course carbohydrates usually "digest" better then fatty, or "heavy" foods.

Isn't a sports drink and plenty of "carbs" all I really need?

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[Richard Cranium]

I use cytomax and banannas, fruit juice etc....

[roadbuzz]

I selected the first, but in reality my fueling is tailored to the ride. Intensity calls for easy-to-digest, but not too many calories (around 300/hr). For lower intensity, pretty much any carbs and beverage is fine. If the ride is under 2 hrs, eating isn't really a requirement, IMO.

[Metal Cowgal]

I'm with Roadbuzz insofar as tailoring the chow to the plow, but I picked #2. I'm not a big fan of sports drinks and rarely drink them unless I'm on the verge of bonking, but I do believe in carbs. I eat mostly fruits and whole grains during a ride. My mainstay on most rides is a trail mix I make with dried fruit, soynuts, pretzels, whole grain cereals along with fresh fruit. Dinners are usually pasta and veggies. I've been a vegetarian who follows a very low fat eating plan for more than a year. When I first made the switch, I worried about getting enough fuel for rides. The truth is, I have more energy and endurance with my current eating plan than BV (before vegetarian).

[RWTD]

I also vary the fuel based on the intensity of the ride.I use a ratio of fats(pistachios/dried coconut etc.)and carbs(dried apricots/unfiltered honey etc.)with higher levels of fats and the carbs more unrefined at lower intensities varying to more refined carbs and no fats at higher intensities.Also as I do mostly medium intensity endurance type rides I find I start with the pistachios/dried coconut/dried apricots etc. but towards the end I will go to more refined carbs and fats here.If I want to do a higher intensity spurt I will go with something like the dried apricots with unrefined honey. Off the bike I eat whole food meals including protein/complex carbs/simple carbs(unrefined)/ properly balanced fats in every meal though the exact ratio will vary depending on the timing in relation to an activity.I find with these food choices I can get most of the nutrients I need but I do find a multivitimin of the type formulated for athletes(higher levels of B's/antioxidants/and chelated minerals) to be helpful particularly when doing frequent longer distance rides.

[Richard Cranium]

I gues the poll sounds too "biased". No one's going to pick "welcome to my pharmacy".

I keep running into cyclists that have "pill packs"....

ie. Collections of vitamins they take throughout the day.

These were forties, fifties types, I'm getting the impression that there is a "whole lot" of supplementation going on.

Anyone care to comment on what they see when mixing with club or public riders during "big rides, races"......?

[RWTD]

I take a few others such as fish oil/magnesium/extra antioxidents but I take these at home and more for general health regardless of if I am riding or not though I may be more vigilent if I am in a recovery mode from a ride. You may need to more clearly specify if you are refering to use for general nutrition or weight loss or just sports performance and if you are refering to just drugs or any supplementation when using the term "pharmacy" which to me connotates "drugs".Besides refined carbs which is probably alright if used correctly (though I feel they are often overused)the most potentially addictive substance I hear about being used is caffiene though I avoid it myself. I don't hear much about vitimin supplementation during rides but then again I do mostly solo rides.

[Metal Cowgal]

Like RWTD (and others, I'm sure) I take a variety of vitamin supplements for general health on a daily basis, regardless of my cycling schedule. I take a multivitamin, calcium, magnesium, selenium, fish oil, flax oil, CoQ10, folic acid, Vitamin C & E....so....is this welcome to my pharmacy?!?!?! And yes, I'm in the 40 something crowd who is concerned about oxidants, cholesterol control, etc. I don't take any specific supplementation for cycling.

I agree with RWTD about the use of caffeine. I've seen lots of cyclists caffeine load for rides. I avoid all caffeine.

[Richard Cranium]

Thanks for your participation. The results, show nearly half of the cyclists responding take sports or nutritional supplements. --which generates this thread.------ Is your supplement a drug?

[Metal Cowgal]

Maybe it's just me.....but I don't know what you mean by....."is your supplement a drug?"

Vitamins and mineral supplements are just that -- vitamins and minerals. I think the connotative meaning of "drug" to most is "prescribed, FDA regulated, etc." Could you please clarify what you mean by your last post? Thanks!

Metal Cowgal

[Hawkphoto]

I take a GNC multi-vitamin w/ B-complex every few days. I'm afraid to take it more often than that. But, I do ACTUALLY FEEL the difference when I take it. And, NO, it's not a DRUG!

Mike

[RiPHRaPH]

to clarify: vitamins are largely longer term solutions to specific deficiencies or intended to prevent deficiencies -->and are not intended to be short term 'pep pills' although the psychosymatic effects are surely noted for some.

that being said, i find that my lack of progress in my cycling is not due to my efforts, my training, my equipment, etc. but to my lack of thorough nutritional support for my riding goals.

remember: pro's, no matter what sport are athletes for a living. they burn off more than enough to eat at will. for us largely recreational riders, we need to be even more careful because we really need to make our calories count. the empty calories become problems.

i always say -use supplements to round out your overall healthful lifestyle. it should not be confused with an actual healthful lifestyle.