Question: My wife is on a diet that isn’t especially radical but it does emphasize protein over carbohydrate. I’m a relatively serious cyclist (2,000 miles per year) and during the cycling season I follow a high-carbohydrate diet. Would switching to my wife’s high-protein diet help or hinder my cycling performance? —Jim B. Coach Fred Mantheny…
Question: I’m overweight (6-foot, 230 pounds) and I’m slow. How can I lose weight and get fast enough to hold my own on fast group rides? — Davis K. Coach Fred Mantheny Replies: You would see a big improvement in your speed, especially on climbs, if you were lighter. This is assuming that your extra…
Question: For a recovery drink right after a ride, I tried five teaspoons of sugar in a large glass of low-fat milk. Is this good? What should I eat next, and when? — Jay P. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: The amount of food you need to speed recovery depends on your size and on how…
Question: On rides of 60-100 miles, should I drink water and sports drink, or just sports drink? Is there some optimal mix of the two? How much should I drink per hour? What about energy bars? — Robin B.
Question: My local bike shop carries half a dozen brands of sports drinks. Which one is best for cycling? — Todd S. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: Given equal amounts of carbohydrate, most sports drinks work about the same. With few exceptions, they supply similar amounts of energy. So, the “best drink” is the one with…
