Energy drinks?

[Dave Withrow]

Last weekend, while I was questioning whether I would live through the remainder of the hare scramble I was entered in, I was wondering if energy drinks really work.  I usually drink a lot of water/Gatorade prior to an event, but should I try the energy drinks instead?  Or should I just accept the fact that I'm an old, slow piece of crap and learn to live with it?  Any input?

Dave Withrow

[brian kirby]

In my opinion...

Energy drinks "work" and may make you more alert, after all caffeine is a banned substance for Olympic competition, but I dont think they have much benefit in a motorcycle competition setting. I think you are doing the right thing by staying hydrated. Proper hydration is far more important than any special "stuff" that might be in what you are drinking.



Brian (high school and college distance runner)

[tooclose racing]

And don't get fooled when you see your favorite MX or roadrace star waving or carrying an energy drink bottle when they are on-camera.  I'm 99% sure those either contain water or they are empty.  It's just product placement.

I do consume an energy drink on race weekends - when I get underway for the drive home.  Caffiene and whatever else is in those cans does have its place - and I'm finding I prefer a Red Bull to a cup of coffee when its time for the long trek home. [8D]

[Mick Milakovic]

Hey Dave, the best drink out there is Propel.  It's basically flavored water (if you like the flavor), and is recommended by a lot of Olympic and professional trainers.  Gatorade, Poweraid and all the others are basically sugar water.

Mick

[socalmx]

I race cross country events and use the Powerbar gel with water for energy. I actually have a packet taped to the handlebars that I use if feeling fatiqued during a long race. Water of course is supplied by Camelback that I sip from every 10 minutes or so. I save the Gatorade for after the race.

[brian kirby]

Also, if you drink Gatorade, cut it 50/50 with water, as is Gatorade has twice as much electrolytes as you actually need. Plus thinned it wont be as likely to make you sick.

Brian

[Larry Perkins]

Caffiene actually temporarily shuts down the little voice in your head that says I am beat.  That is the main reason it has been banned at certain levels.  Late in a mountainbike CC race we used to always go to the caffiene to delay the fatigue voice.

Larry P

[DW.Dusendang]

Bottom line is that there is nothing you can put down your throat on race day to mask the problem of being out of conditioning. I could go on and on about the importance of conditioning but most people can determine their faults in this department.  Racers should be looking for a drink to feed & hydrate the body depending on the type and duration of the race event. Simple sugars will pick you up momentarily but will slam you down quickly. Most often they will cause muscle cramps as well as stomach cramps. Hydration should start a few days before race weekend. If you try to hydrate the morning of by drinking all you can get your hands on you will more than likely dehydrate yourself like most riders do. Your body can only digest 16 to 20oz of water an hour, any more than that will only start the dehydration process. The same goes for food consumption during a race – For instance eating at resets during an enduro. Your body can only digest between 260 to 280 calories an hour. Any more than that and you will be upsetting the blood flow that carries the much need oxygen to your muscles due to having to digest the extra food/calories in you put in your stomach.

This is the product I use: http://www.hammernutrition.com/ There is a ton of reading on this website to properly hydrate & feed your body. Just search through their products.

DW









DW
Rockford,MI

[tomale]

I would love chocolate to be a major food group but it is not. about two years ago my wife and I began to change our diet. OH MY what a difference... the amazing thing is that "real" food is actually not that expensive. the results are so amazing because there is alot more bang for your buck. I actually get more nutrition (whole foods)out of less food. I work hard to eliminate anything that has been messed with by man...  no more hamburger helper! The result is that I have lost over 30 pounds and my race results have gotten better too... I was talking with a friend who tends to clean up any class he rides and he said. "Thom! you have gotten about 40% faster since last year, I had to work hard to get by you" I smiled and said nothing. but I know most of that is because of nutrition. what I do off the bike is just as important as what i do on it.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
72'sixday (project bike)

[vmxracer]

to help with this, me being a kid, all the energy drinks you buy will give you a boost for quite a while, but after that you will be super tired. all your energy will feel drained.

Ambr Milakovic
"Black Beauty"

[Mike Lenz]

The hot set up is the GYRO Shake.  Just get a Gyro, grind it up and add a shot of Jack Daniels and some sour cream (lite of course).  Let it sit outside all week and come sunday it will be ready to perk you up with the first gulp!  Guaranteed!!

[OUCWBOY]

If there are any of you that have any kind of heart condition STAY AWAY from the energy drinks. Not good for the heart........

Donny Smith
Paragould, AR