• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Become a Premium Member
  • About

Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Expert road cycling advice, since 2001

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Bikes & Gear
  • Training & Health
  • Reviews
  • Cycling Ebooks
    • Ebooks Training
    • Ebooks Skills
    • E-Articles Training
    • E-Articles Nutrition
  • Member Area
  • Newsletter

Why Do I Gain Weight on Long Rides

Q:  I recently rode 170 moderately hilly miles in two days at an average speed of just over 14 mph. It was cool but I still managed to sweat. I drank plenty of water and sports drink and ate a small amount of carbohydrate every 10-20 miles. On the morning before the first ride, I weighed 205. After the second ride, I weighed 212. This weight gain always seems to happen after long rides. Why? — Mike S.

COACH FRED:  This isn’t unusual. It’s caused by fluid retention. Some ultra-distance riders have been known to gain 20 pounds by the fourth day of their events. It’s suspected that the stress of long hours of riding in tough conditions causes the kidneys to shut down.

Fluid retention can be dangerous in extreme events like the Race Across America. But it shouldn’t be a problem in short tours like the one you describe.

You probably consumed enough carbohydrate during and after the ride that your glycogen levels were topped off. Along with glycogen, large amounts of fluid are stored, so you weigh more.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Articles

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1053
  • Can you use Shimano rotors with SRAM brakes? (Or vice versa?)
  • 16 Tips for Increasing Your Annual Cycling Mileage
  • Intense Exercisers Have More Plaques but Fewer Heart Attacks

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter Issue No. 1053

Newsletter Issue No. 1052

Newsletter Issue No. 1051

Newsletter Issue No. 1050

Newsletter Issue No. 1049

Footer

Affiliate Disclosure

Our cycling expert editors and writers choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This income supports our site.

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Privacy Policy

Still Haven’t Found What You’re Looking For?

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in