Post-ride chips it is then.

[TonyR]

Most runners and cyclists will know the dilemma. After a burst of exercise, your head tells you to eat an energy bar, but your stomach yearns for fish and chips.
Rest easy: it does not matter which you choose because a study has found fast food to be marginally better than sports supplements at helping athletes to recover after exercise

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/sh ... 37aab9c313

[RogerThat]

Most energy bars ARE fast food, a combination of high sugar and processed fat!

Stay away! Have a banana 80 calories and 7gr (one of the highest fruit and veg) of excellent fibre!

[Mark1978]

After a long ride I always crave an omelette. Energy bars are for during riding.

[LollyKat]

Many years ago my husband and I stopped off for eggs, beans and chips during a strenuous tour in the highlands. In spite of the generous helpings we still felt hungry when we finished. We were too embarrassed to ask for another serving so crossed the road to another chippy and polished off another serving of chips . With renewed energy we did another 20 hilly miles in fine style before setting up the tent.

People used to remark that we must save a lot on petrol, but we reckoned that cycling cost more in food -- and we still lost weight.

[sjs]

Many years ago my husband and I stopped off for eggs, beans and chips during a strenuous tour in the highlands. In spite of the generous helpings we still felt hungry when we finished. We were too embarrassed to ask for another serving so crossed the road to another chippy and polished off another serving of chips . With renewed energy we did another 20 hilly miles in fine style before setting up the tent.

People used to remark that we must save a lot on petrol, but we reckoned that cycling cost more in food -- and we still lost weight.

If cycling is worth 50 calories per mile, then to fuel oneself on Mars bars would cost about the same as fuel for a small car.

Personally, it's beer I crave after any sort of prolonged exercise.

[LollyKat]

If cycling is worth 50 calories per mile, then to fuel oneself on Mars bars would cost about the same as fuel for a small car.

That's exactly what we used to say: "10 miles to the Mars bar!"

[RogerThat]

I think 50cals a mile is a bit hopeful! That would be 750cals an hour at 15mph. Probably more like 350-400cals/h but not an insignificant amount. Competitive stage riders in Europe burn about 4-5000cals a day, for an average 5hr stage. About 1000cals an hour, but their work rate is easily 3x what an average cyclist would be putting out. An average Tour rider will be churning out 250-300 watts, with a stage sprint finish from 800 to an eye watering 1200 watts at the wheels!

[Mick F]

Many years ago - 1994 - when I did my very first End2End, I was heading south on JOGLE and had booked all my accommodation using many YHAs. A few of those - in those days - fed you as well, and I had pre-booked - and paid for - an evening meal at Carlisle YHA (the old one) and had forgotten that I'd booked a meal.

As I arrived in the northern parts of Carlisle, I was hungry! Very Hungry! and I saw a chippy. I called in and had a wonderful meal of steak pie and chips. I wolfed it down!

Half an hour later, I checked into the YHA to be greeted merrily and asked what time I wanted my roast chicken dinner. I went and got washed and changed, then went down for roast chicken, all the trimmings, veg, roast potatoes, and was then asked if I wanted afters. I declined afters to the amazement of the chef because he thought that all cyclists were always hungry. He didn't know - and I didn't admit it - that I'd had steak pie and chips beforehand!

Mind you, I devoured a big breakfast the next morning.

[MikeF]

Competitive stage riders in Europe burn about 4-5000cals a day, for an average 5hr stage.

I think you mean Kilo calories - they wouldn't last on that! The resting needs are supposed to be 2,500Kcals (2,500,000 calories) per day for a man. 242 kilo calories in a 54g Mars bar are claimed. 10 Mars bars a day should keep us all in energy.

[RogerThat]

Ah, you're mixing up food cals and small cals!!

1 small kilocalorie (kcal) is equal to 1 large food calorie (Cal):
1 kcal = 1 Cal

[Psamathe]

Ah, you're mixing up food cals and small cals!!

1 small kilocalorie (kcal) is equal to 1 large food calorie (Cal):
1 kcal = 1 Cal

Interesting so 1000cals=1Cal=1kcal
So when you say

... Competitive stage riders in Europe burn about 4-5000cals a day, ...

(using a small c) this would be the same as saying "Competitive stage riders in Europe burn about 4-5Cals a day" or 4-5kcal per day. Double checked it on my conversion program and 5000cals does give 5kcal or 5 Cals.

But then maybe I'm confusing the difference between cals and kcals ?

Ian

[Mark1978]

In normal language and every day use what we call a calorie is actually 1,000 calories. Which is why it's written as kcal on food packaging. It's one of those language things where unless you're talking very specifically about 'proper' calories then you can safely assume that kcal is meant.

[Psamathe]

In normal language and every day use what we call a calorie is actually 1,000 calories. Which is why it's written as kcal on food packaging. It's one of those language things where unless you're talking very specifically about 'proper' calories then you can safely assume that kcal is meant.

However, I would assume that when somebody writes "cal" they mean calories and when somebody writes "kcal" they mean kilocalories (or Calories with a capitalised 1st letter or Cal). Particularly when they are explaining the difference to somebody else who they say does not understand it !!

Ian

[Mark1978]

Indeed it's all about context. However if I was to say that my porridge this morning was 220cal you would be safe in assuming I meant 220kcal.

[Mick F]

Any porridge that came my way for breakfast (or any meal) would go straight in the bin.
Awful stuff IMHO.

I've tried it because I know that some folk think it's good and slow-release energy and good for cyclists. I tried it, I really did, but I was hungry all morning. For me, it doesn't work .............. and I don't like it either.