Path to Poznan 5 – Riding to Eat

Posted by CS AU Admin on

Cycling is intrinsically linked to weight. Watts per kilo ratio – the mystical measurement that goes so far in determining how you will go in a race – riders will go to any lengths to increase this magical number. Training programmes are all aimed at improving w/kg either by increasing power or decreasing weight – or in a perfect world both. ‘Extra’ weight can really hinder performance, even in a flat race like the race in Poznan.

I would place myself clearly in the Clydesdale category when it comes to cycling weight – well over 90kg. Coming from a Rugby/Gym background, ‘cycling weight’ is the exact athletic opposite of what I trained for most of my life. Try as I may I cant seem to get lean enough to make a dent on my w/kg – I look at food and put on weight😊 So I train – sometimes pretty hard – and then get into a cycle that goes a bit like this.

“Ok that was a long hard session – I will need to replenish my stores so I can recover well” So I eat.

“Ok that session this morning was pretty intense – I better eat again, just to make sure my levels are all topped off” So I eat.

“mmm dinner is coming soon and I have another session tomorrow – better just have a snack to get me through till dinner” So I eat.

“Good dinner – macros are all correct – fully fueled for tomorrow. Was a solid session this morning – a beer and ice cream will just melt away – especially because I have a ride on tomorrow as well” So I eat.

You get the message. Before long I need to ride just to cancel out what I have eaten!

I ride to eat.

For me keeping on the path in terms of diet is a constant battle – I just try to keep it all pretty simple and stay away from processed foods and have some sort of portion control. The battle continues. If Tommeke can do it right?

A short story about a message I received from the UCI recently. The email confirmed our design for the Gran Fondo World Champs is indeed approved to wear at the race – a side issue, however, I noticed a nice little tagline in the footer of the email – RIDE & SMILE. Perhaps we should all take that on board.

RIDE & SMILE

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