Hi all,

I am new to the forum and have been cycling for about 1 year now. I train pretty regularly and I am currently using Trainer road (currently in Build 1 phase of a custom plan).

During the past year, I have not experimented much with my fueling both on and off the bike. I generally maintain a low-carb diet. My question surrounds how not fueling beforehand may be affecting my performance.

A bit more background:

• I find that I have no issue completing the trainer road workouts. Fuel = I ride in a fasted state, water + electrolytes consumed during the workout - no carbs.
• I finish top 10 on my local group ride (usually lasting around 2 hrs). Fuel = I ride in a fasted state (BCAA/black coffee in the morning), water + electrolytes consumed during the workout - no carbs;
• Extended group rides - I ride in a fasted state, water + electrolytes in one bottle, carb drink like Gatorade in the other.

Is my fueling strategy costing me performance? Recommended books? On the face of it, it seems as though I am following a Ketogenic diet however I have not increased my fat intake to accommodate the lack of carb intake. My concern surrounds my recovery, am I hurting myself re recovery and not gaining the benefits by fueling this way?