rousseau

I've heard of people making these crazy complicated recovery drinks made in a blender, but I don't have the skill, the inclination or the time to make those kinds of recovery drinks (or the blender, come to think of it). Is there anything better and easier than a tall glass of cold chocolate milk and a banana following a ride? I can't think of anything.

To be honest, I'd be curious if any of those specialty recovery drinks are all that much superior to a good old glass of chocolate milk and a banana. Eh?

P.S. Just realized you can't put HTML tags in the subject line!

canam73

What your doing covers most of the bases. Some people want more protein, though.

rjones28 

Peanut butter goes well with bananas, if you want more protein.

Dannihilator

I can think of a long list. I strongly dislike chocolate anything when combined with banana. But like each separately.

NathanC

What about a Bluth Frozen Banana?

znomit

I don't understand why bananas don't come in chocolate flavour. Why can't they add some hershey goodness at the banana factory?

BruceHankins

I go for a peanut butter and banana sandwhich and about 2-3 glasses of water.

joewein

For protein for recovery (rebuilding muscles), my go-to food is fat free yoghurt. Regular milk is fine too but it can add too much fat. For carbohydrates (recharging glycogen stores), it's oatmeal, bananas or apples for me.

I wouldn't call peanut butter a recovery food, since 2/3 to 3/4 of its calories come from fat!

echotraveler

A quality beer. Some fruit, and yogurt.

coasting 

coconut water

b2run

My favourite is a peanut butter and banana sandwich with a glass of chocolate milk. It covers the important bases.

coasting 

Maybe over thinking. Eat something after a ride. that's good enough.

parkersdad

They do. I buy the frozen chocolate covered bananas from my local grocery store. They are nice and cool and they taste good.

rjones28 

Pretty much what I do. However, there is always chocolate milk available in my house.

WhyFi

Instead of chocolate milk, I just add chocolate whey protein mix to milk. No blender necessary - you can shake it up in some tupperware or anything that seals tightly (since I like to occasionally make cocktails, I use a Boston shaker).

edited to add: most protein mixes recommend way too much; you can safely cut it in half or a third.

Jed19

The last four rides or so, I have been experimenting with this. An Ice Cold Guinness Extra Stout. Does it work? Not sure, but I darn well make sure I enjoy it.

WhyFi

You're not supposed to drink it ice cold. They only beers that should be consumed ice cold are the crappy ones. This goes for wine, too - even white wine shouldn't be straight-out-of-the-refrigerator cold. Cold hides flavor.


/tangent

Jed19

Really? I have been drinking Guinness Extra Stout for close on thirty years now, but never had a warm one. I might give that a try one of these days, but not after a sixty five mile summer bike ride.

echotraveler

I drank one beer after the sunday ride. I swear it energized me!! Maybe itveas the placebo effect of a iced bottle and smooth uber cold beer. You could see the bubbles move slowly to the top.

caloso

Chocolate milk is good. For a recovery drink, I prefer the full fat version, sometimes with a scoop of protein powder thrown in.

Clipped_in

There are some valid and compelling reasons to not consume dairy. Bananas are great, but I just can't eat enough of them for proper recovery after a big effort. Concentrating things works better for me.

qqy

i've always done: 2% milk + chocolate syrup (not too much) + peanut butter + ON chocolate whey. Add icecream (or froyo) and/or banana if it was an especially exhausting ride. Done right it's the best thing in the world after a hard ride.

e - as an aside, using a magic bullet really makes it fast and easy. i can whip one up in about 2 min after i get home.

JohnKScott

Option 1: More protein

One cup of milk. One frozen banana. Two scoops chocolate whey protein. Yum

Option 2: Less protein tastes better

On cup of chocolate milk. One frozen banana. One scoop chocolate whey protein. More yum.

Option 3:

Sub a handful of mixed strawberries & blueberries (frozen) instead of banana. Even more yum.

cvall91

For my longer weekend rides over 50 miles, I usually just eat a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Sometimes with honey. And usually with water as I always forget to buy more chocolate. During my weekday rides of 20-30 miles, I usually make a meal replacement shake of bananas and some peanut butter and milk, or protein powder with orange juice and a bunch of different fruits.

MNX1024

I just have my protein shake so I don't miss my anabolic window, then proceed to pig the **** out after I get home. The latter only applies to my near century distance rides. On my shorter rides, which are usually before breakfast, I have oatmeal after my shake. Though not high glycemic, good enough to give me the carbs I need and not make me fat.