Originally Posted by Payton1221

I am somewhat new to biking, but not to fitness (can bench my bodyweight 10 times, can do over 10 dead hang--NOT kipping--pull-ups, etc.). I have a 30 minute ride that's a great, albeit short, workout/ride. I basically ride up and down a few modest hills before hitting a true one mile hill. I get to the end of it and return when my heartrate will stay at 85% max for several minutes, and I've progressed to a fair level of fitness with a one minute heartrate recovery that's slightly greater than 21.

I've done this ride many, many times and I've never felt any need or cravings for food after this ride. Recently, I've doubled the ride to a one-hour ride with one hill that's even longer and steeper which gets my heartrate to 90% for several minutes. Often, but not always, my body seems to crave food! I also feel somewhat fatigued with almost pre-flu like symptoms. I'm a lean individual (5'-10" and 160#) and I just don't normally "crave" or should I write "CRAVE(!!!)" food.

Does anyone else ever feel this way? Might it have something to do with pre-ride nutrition (note: I don't purposefully eat prior to the ride, but I'm definitely not riding while hungry). Might this go away with even more conditioning?