Metric Man

On Saturday I tried something new, or different. I went on a ride with a couple of strong riders from my club, just three of us. They are fairly strong and we were doing about 40 miles. Just before we took off I popped a 5 Hour Energy Drink down the hatch. We clipped off 39.86 miles in just a tick over 2 hours (2:01) for about 19.75 average speed. Great conditions, mid 70's no wind...all was right. That's the fastest group ride I've ever done for that distance by about 1.5 mph.

This morning I thought I'd get in 20 miles before work. Capped another 5 Hour Drink and again, great conditions, clipped off 19.71 miles in 1:09 for a 17.1 average...again, faster than my fastest times on the same route by at least 1 mph and as many of you know picking up 1 mph in a 20 mile ride is significant.

I know the advantages to things like Hammergel, the carbs are instant fuel etc, but what or where does pure caffeine fall into? It's not a fuel, so how does it help or is it pure coincidence?

I'm hoping the BF doping expert, Dr TWL, has recovered from his weekend enough to respond.

Allegheny Jet

Pat yourself on the back for a job well done and don't blame some thing you ate or drank for a PR ride. I think your hard work has began to pay off. I doubt it was the drink since the ride was 2 hours and caffine gives a boost at the start.

If it does work, that is what I may have needed on Sunday when I DNF'd my cyclo cross race. Maybe racing on Friday and Saturday were contributing factors, but a miracle elixir would have been appreciated.

The Weak Link

Doper. You're a doper.



I'll have to try that stuff.

Metric Man

Try it with some fried chicken.

billydonn

It's in the PED family known as "stimulents", I believe. It recruits latent motor units and converts slow-twitch to fast-twitch fibers via activation of deep level mitochondrial DNA and subsurface hemoglobin production. This, of course, stimulates red blood cell production and consequent vascular activation/corpuscle oxygenation. It is thought by some to mimic the action of tetrahydocorticonandosterone.

Simple really.... . same basic PED group as fried chicken.

Metric Man

HUH? So I am a doper.

Metric Man

And AJ, thanks for the kudos, I just can't believe that all of a sudden things all came together. But I guess it's possible.

mvnsnd

Caffeine is a diuretic too, so make sure you stay well hydrated during the ride.

Metric Man

Yes, thanks for that...20oz min per hour for me.

Brian Sharpe

Congrats on the great times.

I've always been a little skeptical of the efficacy of these so-called energy drinks - the 5 hour energy claims to contain only 4 calories, the same amount of caffeine as 1 cup of coffee etc etc maybe it's the b vitamins? According to the NIH B6 helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin, B12 also is needed for red blood cell formation (and is great for hangovers). Maybe it's a placebo effect? Either way I may just try one before my next long ride......

Metric Man

Yes...and one is good...then two would be twice as good?

jdon

I have found 5 Hour Energy to do little to enhance performance on the bike, but sure helps post ride recovery.

Allegheny Jet

Might as well throw down a Viagra too, but be sure to check with your doctor if the ride last longer than 4 hours.

StanSeven

Some of my best rides is when I start off quickly and just pushing myself at the beginning keeps me going hard throughout. That push can come from a group I need to keep up him or just a good feeling from whatever reason (meaning it's in my head). But it does feel good to go faster than normal.

leob1

And some spanish beef.

stapfam

Only problem I find with the energy supplements is the Eventual Tang that stays with you after about the 5th bottle. I do use them and carry sachets of the powder to mix up as the ride progress'. I usually carry a "Marmite" sandwich to eat as it takes the taste of everything away. I mean everything- it evens numbs the mouth. That enables me to carry on for another 3 bottles before I just can't take any more.

Don't know about the legality of Supplements in the bottles- but have you noticed how the Pro Riders will only take a bottle from their own team cars or the neutral cars (Mavic or Shimano) If the Pros wont trust the other teams drugs- What chance do we have with Voltarol and Ibu Prufen being so readily available?

The Weak Link

heh heh. I needed that.

Since the FDA doesn't regulate energy drinks (or do they?), there might be all sorts of crap in that stuff. When you test positive for clen I'd say it was the energy drink.

Metric Man

Do doubt endorsed by Alberto himself.

doctor j

I'm guessing it removes the enamel from the teeth as well.

Hillbasher

That should be "So am I a doper?"

roccobike

I'm glad that the 5 hour energy drink works for you. For some, those drinks are real help.
Unfortunately, this is not true for everyone. Caffeine makes me hyper and sends my heart rate through the roof when I ride. I had a couple of caffeine drinks at work, then tried a 21MPH "A" level group ride.
I set a new record, I got dropped, but good after only 5 miles. I've never been dropped that fast the entire year. My heart rate shot sky high in no time. So, it's good for some, but not for everyone.
I truely wish it would help me as much as it helped you. If I could add 1MPH to my average, I'd be able to finish those A level rides with the group.

BikeWNC

What happens if my ride is longer than 5 hours? Will I wake up the next morning on the side of the road?

Robert Foster

If prop 19 passes will we be able to go faster while feeling like we are going slower or will we be slower and feel like we are going faster? Or will we only ride faster to get pie? or???? never mind I forget.

Metric Man

Er yeah, the meds are startin' to wear off now.

Metric Man

Well said Bob, so eloquent.