mountain biking

[SPARKS]

as the weather improves I'll be taking my mountain bike out on the old off road rides. I'll be trying to get as fit as possible and I'll be looking to lose about 10-14lbs, I'm thinking about taking my bike out in the morning probably aiming to do 20-30 miles, so each ride will take a couple of hours.

my question is how often should I do this and what food should I eat before?

I don't want it to interfere with my weight traing gains..

 

[SPARKS]

come on guys

bump

 

[I Are Baboon]

Well, anytime you are trying to lose fat and gain muscle, it's tough to do both.

I lift 4-5 times a week and mountain bike twice a week (usually 8-12 tough miles each ride). I eat carbs and protein before my rides, usually a protein shake early in the morning (three or four hours before the ride) and oatmeal an hour or two before the ride. Sometimes intead of oatmeal, I eat an energy bar. Don't eat too much or you'll cramp up. Also, if you're riding for a couple of hours, bring an energy bar or a banana because you'll probably get hungry during the ride.

 

[SPARKS]

thank for the reply I are baboon.
Its been a couple of years since I have been out on the bike rides but I'm looking forward to those greulling 30 milers lol

I'll probably take it out 2-3 days a week and see how thats goes ok cheers mate.

 

[I Are Baboon]

Cool!

Have fun! Our long winter has just ended and I've only been out riding a few times so far this year. Lots of great riding ahead in the next six months.

 

[sawheet]

Well personally I like a frosted pop tart and a bowl of oatmeal before I ride, I suppose that you will not find that helpfull. Do intense cardio in the morning on an empty stomach and ride later in the day, have fun with the bike or you will hate it.

 

[Dero]

Ok...For me it's different then IAB!!!
My diet is mainly geared for MTB during the summer months,once I start the riding season I try to ride every days(minimum 10k to 20k/day),so at that point I will consume one of my 5 daily meals and my regular consumption of water(up to 5 litres of water/daily)

When I get a whole day,I can ride up to 60k in a day,usually the day before I will load up on carbs(pasta,rice pudding,yes all that starchy stuff )and a banana(potasium helps in preventing leg cramps) and LOTS OF WATER.

The morning of the ride,a good breakfast: eggs,ham, banana and cereals and more water...

During the ride I will stay with nuts and grains(oats)again with LOTS OF WATER(water is VERRRRRRY important) cannot be DEHYDRATED during a ride.While riding,if you get thirsty it means that it's too late,already dehydration is setting in,so every 3 or 4 min,have a swigg of water...(My hydartion bag has 3 liters of water,which during a ride I can drink up to 6 liters)
For lunch I usually have a baggel and PB,some cheese and a banana.Oh ,did I mention MORE WATER???
So back on the trail,like IAB mentioned a Power Bar to munch on.
After the ride,a Sport Drink(Gatorale,Power ale...),
need to replenish your sodium,potasium level.
More carbs,to help your muscles to recover...
OH,and MORE WATER!!!!
H-2-0, is your friend ,remember dat!!!

Different diets for different disiplines,I know,I could never survive on a lifter's diet while ridding my touche like dat and I know that many of the lifters are looking at this and going


I know,my needs are different then your's.

 

[SPARKS]

some good info there lads thanks!

Getting my bike looked at tomorrow then its off out yonder lol
last bike ride I did was 30 miles off road, doubt I'll jump staright into one as big as that though lol

 

[I Are Baboon]

Originally posted by Dero
Ok...For me it's different then IAB!!!

Looks like you fuel up for your rides. I don't change my diet at all during the course of the year. Generally speaking, I do not eat a lot before a ride becuase I'd get cramps if I did.

 

[Dero]

Yup,I do,sometimes I'm out there for 6 hours so you gotta have dat fuel!!!
It's not like da ride we did at Mount Snow!!!(I ran out of H-2-0 that time)