roadbuzz

I think timing is part of the equation. They only hand it out when the intensity is lower. Coke is too sweet to be ideal for absorption, but they need calories. And, I think, the flavor issue is a factor too. The best electrolyte replacement drink in the world isn't worth ***** if you don't drink it. A coke probably goes down pretty good under the circumstances.

spinner

Good point roadbuzz. While fruit juices do work well for calorie replacement, I like the caffeine buzz from Coke. The trick to long ride nutrition is to experiment and find out what works for you.
Cheers

LesterOfPuppets

I'm so glad Mexican Coke in 355 ml glass bottles is widely available here. A friend told me that Costco has it now, might have to look into that.

hopsing08

I personally believe that it gives a boost in energy...not so much that you crash after it wears off though, also when your drinking energy stuff all day a coke clears that crap out. Plus there is such thing as too much water. i think that the muscles like something a little different.

my preride drink, (only because i cant keep it down during) is V8, the sodium helps alot and the extra vitamins and stuff. idk.

Richard Cranium

It is of interest that a typical cola concoction of carbonated water and sugar be used (at all) in the hit-tech, hi-price world of professional racing.

However, for what ever reasons some pro-riders drink a Coke now and then, anyone reading the forum should understand that soda does not account for much of a typical rider's race fuel needs. The fact that you "see" riders drinking Coke is probably more a result of sponsorship power than critical fueling needs.

But of course, there could be situations where a simple-sugar drink will work as well a complex-carb "slow burn" formula - in much the same way chocolate milk works almost as well as sports recovery formulas.