Carbs Vs Protein Vs Fat - What's The Best Fuel For Riding?

Manon's face when she was looking at Ollie and Conor's food was an absolute picture😂

Tried to do my first Century ride last summer, made it 94 miles before being rescued. I wasn't so tired that I needed to sleep, my muscles weren't sore, neither was my backside. I just couldn't go on. Now I know that I had way too much protein and not enough carbs and that what I did consume was too much at one time. Summer shall come again, and so will a better prepared Century ride! Thank you GCN for this video!

The expression on Manon's face when Connor said lard... Priceless! Oh... And Ollie rejecting the egg whites almost made me hurl...

'I'm not riding behind you, Connor!' Manon's face tells it all🤣

Great video guys. I feel for Conor. Doing that for science is very admirable. And I believe Manon always seems to get the best out of all these experiments. 😃

I already knew the basic outcome having done several Triathlons, especially Olympic/International Distances. The TRAINING will tell you very quickly what works and what doesn't. What I learned is that PROTEIN is for before and after training runs and races and is used primarily for muscle building and recovery. The Fats are for long-term diet and training and the Carbs are for the day of riding. I incorporated slow long-distance training with interval training, and with triathlons, I rotated Swimming, BIking, and Running throughout the week. It really pays off to have a regimented BASE DIET in place that creates the reserves for when you need them. You cant just CREATE RESERVES or POWER or ENDURANCE on Race day through that day's diet regime. Usually, race day is a cumulation of a strict diet and training regimes. Then on race day, all you need is the proper carb inputs and the right times so you don't get gastric problems and so you can fully utilize the carbs you are getting. The whole aspect of Diet is often overlooked by people that are new to the training for these types of long distances. You have to TRAIN your body to accept the new diet as well as accept the carbs during your training runs. It's a long process but it pays off in the end when you find you can get through a race and at the end feel like you could keep going a bit longer if needed.

What we all expected, but thanks for putting it to the test! On group rides with big breaks (30-45 min,) a little protein can make sense mid ride because you have time to digest it. During our breaks, I do a little sushi with soy for the salt, and I usually feel stronger on the way back than if I only eat carbs. But that's me, and only after a big break. The real point is carbs carbs carbs.

I love your videos, they´re veru usefull, please go on with more content!

During my 40 years of cycling the mantra has predominantly been carbs. Slow burning carbs just make logical sense. Overnight oats or flapjacks see me through gym work and long rides combined with gels/gums.

This is a great video guys, thank you so much. I have bonked a few times the last one actually was just on Boxing day, I did a couple of MTB trails joined with an uphill road section (to make a loop as I often do), I realise now the food I had taken with me probably wasn't carb rich (I had fruits boiled eggs and cream cheese), I'm only a recreational rider though

I've watched this more than once now ,so so funny, love watching you lot doing your experiments, keep it up please ,I've learnt a lot and in a good way

loved the info slides

Extremely interesting and has answered a question for me. As a mountain biker I watch a lot of GMBN, but have subscribed here too because I do a lot of uphill road riding to get to my local trails and think the info is relevant. Another great video, thanks guys.

Would quite like to see episode 2 and how everyone felt the next day. Have exercised in ketosis before - was possible but like riding through treacle - OK for plodding along but nothing to draw on for sudden energy bursts. Would not recommend but at least my guts were safe, I’m guessing Conor’s weren’t!

I haven’t had such a good chuckle in awhile! Thanks guys

Very informative video, thanks!

Manin’s reaction to Ollie and Conor’s food choices=priceless😂

Fantastic video as usual GCN crew, great info and humour! Eat whatever you can stomach on a ride, probably complex carbs at best, and drink alot of electrolytes. But, your diet preceding exercise is more important, since a high protein and fat diet can be used along with proper training, to get your body to metabolize more fats at higher intensities. This will preserve the 2000 cal glycogen stores in the average body and delay the onset of bonking. Remember that no amount of fuelling during high intensity aerobic exercise can keep up with your glycogen burn rate, so you have to prepare in advance. If you try fueling like mad during your big event, you will be sick, no matter what you consume. Just ask any ultra runner or iron man triathlete. Way to take one for the team Connor, oh yes and egg white Ollie lol..😁...

This is the sort of ridiculous test ride we are expecting from the good folks at GCN. Good info and good laughs 👍

Thanks for the science and comedy that is informative, useful and really really fun.