My rides have seemed so much easier lately. I don't get that "Oh, I wish I were home" feeling halfway through, and I don't feel beat up and old when I get back.

My three hypotheses as to why this is so were:

1. I've been riding more (duh, I know, this is most likely)
2. I've be riding at a slower "brisk walking" pace
3. I've been drinking more coffee.

Today I eliminated hypothesis 2. I rode my standard 61 mile ride with more effort (14.2 MPH avg moving speed vs 12.2). I still felt strong during the entire ride, and don't feel beat up and old after completing it.

This chart shows the ride last October, when I felt really beat up afterwards, two recent easy-pace rides, and today's "more effort" ride.

https://i.imgur.com/oUBGOmN.jpg

Next, I should examine the caffeine hypothesis, but I don't know if I'm willing to give up my coffee (one strong cup before starting, and one halfway through).

That's a nice improvement, about an hour faster in riding time. How do you replace the 4,000 calories your chart says you burned up?

Coffee is the miracle beverage of our age. till they decide it's bad for us again, but by that time, I'll just smile at them and sip my mocha cappuccino ...

Before just going cold-turkey, remember caffeine is addictive, and you WILL have withdrawal symptoms equivalent to the amount of caffeinated beverages you drink.

Steak.

I ride solo most of the time.But when I ride with a buddy or group I feel more energized. ( without coffee)And yes the ride is easier.

That must be one big slab o' meat. Hurts my arteries just to think about it.

As for the coffee, if I tried to ride with a cup and half of coffee before and during the ride, I'd be spending as much time in the pissoir as in the saddle.

But those are my issues. What you're doing seems to be working for you.

Hi,

It doesn't. One tough ride in six does not prove that taking it easy doesn't work.

Try doing the same speed 6 times on the trot, that will eliminate it.

If you push hard all the time I'll guarantee if you go 5 rides taking it somewhat
easier and then you go for a pushing ride you will be faster, and find it easier.

rgds, sreten.

Coffee definitely kicks you into gear. I have a bit of acid reflux so I'm experimenting with some caffine pills Saturday about 30 miles into my ride. The pros used to take caffine suppositories sometimes....no thanks. Alexi Grewal used to spike peaches with No Doze for the finishing kick......Worked in the '84 Olympics.

Great job with the improvement. You should be real happy with yourself.

I have never had a cup of coffee after my first sip 50+ years ago. Can't even stand flavored ice cream. Get my caffeine from Gu gels and the like and Mtn. Dew. One can of Mtn. Dew in one water bottle and water in the other bottle for my 65 miler starting in 1.5 hours.

Funny, I drink two big cups every morning, I work early, then I have none on the weekends, and skip Monday AM Java quite often,,,, I have never noticed the first withdrawal symptom yet....
But then again I don't do caffeinated sodas, They rot your teeth out.

I dunno. I turned in my fastest ride evar today. I credit the Androgel.

Carbonated soft drinks with caffeine are also favored by a lot of pro road cyclists. I just don't like much other than straight water while riding myself.

Coffee is pretty amazing. I self experimented with ginkgo biloba (10 yrs of two year on - two year off) and noticed nothing. The only things that have very noticeable effect on my alertness and energy are, in order, exercise, sleep, coffee. I avoided coffee for many years because it seemed to aggravate an irregular heartbeat. But when the irregularity came on despite zero caffeine I went back to one cup every morning. (Cardiologist has since cleared me. Rogue beats are apparently not that uncommon in the population.)

I find that the best performance improver is not just riding more, but riding harder. I.e. introduce intensity into your weekday rides, and you'll be amazed how much faster and easier your longer weekend rides feel.

That ... and coffee https://app.strava.com/activities/59064155

Coffee-------------like most anything else we eat and drink has been condemed and approved of by "those that know" several times. First it is bad, and then its good for you. The best advice is everything moderation.