After seeing the thread on fueling to lose weight, I began thinking about how many calories we really store.
For example, yesterday I burned just over 2000kcal, over the course of 3 hours. I took in about 400 calories, spread uniformly over the ride. I was doing big gear work, so my legs were toast, but I had enough energy afterward to weight train, etc., for another 30 mins before attacking the kitchen.
Accordingly, I should not technically “need” fueling for anything under at least 90 mins, possibly more like 120+.
Now, I don’t need nor want to lose weight (quite the opposite; I’d like to hold/gain muscle). For those looking to lose weight, I’d suggest that 2 hour sessions be without fuel (though bring something in your jersey pocket just in case).
Well, my “fuel tank” is 10.5lbs of fat according to my Tanita scale. Of course I couldn’t burn off all of that or I’d die, I think. So maybe if I went down to 1% bodyfat (where I’d probably feel as close to death as possible without actually being dead), burning 9 lbs of fat, or about 36,288 calories of energy if I had 100% efficiency in the conversion process.
So are you going to tell us how big your fuel tank is?
Did a trail marathon yesterday- super hilly- took me about 5 hrs. For fuel I had 12 Jelly Bellys at miles 18-20. Nothing else except water. I felt GREAT! I think people generally take too much fuel.
I did something similar on vacation a few weeks ago - the Saturday morning hammer ride followed by an impromptu trip 35 miles north (and 35 back) with my buddy Ben. He had an apple, I had a rice krispy bar. No money, plenty of water fountains. I begged a coke off a woman and he drank a bottle of BBQ sauce stolen from a restaurant porch moments after he complained about being cold in 82 degree and sunny weather.
Beats me how deep the tank is, but I just might experiment by riding until I thoroughly bonk.
I’ve had this paranoia about fueling, always taking at least 250kcal (in liquid) for even an hour-long ride. Now that I’m thinking more about how I’ll fuel for a half-IM, I need to start testing what I can get away with since the Hawaii heat means no Thanksgiving feasts on the bike.
I was/am mostly curious to hear storied like Trikitty’s, to figure out how far others/I can go before running out of juice.
I think it really varies from person to person - my riding buddies are 2xIronamn, who will take half a bottle of PSP22 (Carbo-drink - say 10%) for a four hour ride and a 2xOlympian (not biking - fencing) who will eat more food in that 4 hours than most people do in a day (Maybe 2000kcal - like 3xbottles High5, 3xbars, 2xgels). I am in the middle. Olympian is like a rake and IM Dessie is a solid sort of guy. You have like 65,000 kcal of fat stored but can you access it - no way but some people can access more than others.
Dessie taught me to do some “forced bonk” rides last year and man they were not fun - 5 hours on 1l of fluid replacement drink (it was not hot we are talking Ireland here!). Ended up drinking hot water from the tap at the bottom of the Mourne Mountains - hmmm bonking is good!
