natebrr

Do any off you guys use any supplements, not really counting gels, or similar. I was mostly just wondering about stuff like endurox or accelerade for recovery. Also if you take a daily multivitamin, what have you had good experiences or bad?

NateBrr

Halthane

I use...

Daily multivitamin. During the winter I also take zinc, vitamin C, and Echinacea

Accelerade, or Hammer Heed during long rides.

Endurox as a post workout recovery drink and I like it a great deal, though I am likely to try hammer's product for the next month or so, lifting more weights through the next month or so and the hammer product has a little more protein in it.

I also use whey protein from time to time, but mostly in fresh fruit smoothies to make them a more balanced meal replacement. Currently Use EAS, but that has more to do with the flavor than anything else, most whey proteins are pretty similar and pretty good, though I think I'd pass on the cheap brand they sell at wal-mart.... Some things weren't meant to be half the price that normal companies charge.

unixpro

I do a daily multivitamin at the suggestion of my doctor. I also take Glucosimine Sulphate in addition to my prescribed arthritis pills, again at the suggestion of my doctor. Other than that, I'll chug down a Whey Protein shake after a particularly hard ride, but that's about it.

OTOH, I usually have bananas, apples, oranges, or some other fruits around both at home and at work. If I'm feeling the need for something crunchy, I'll go for a South Beach Diet high protein bar. It's got the best bang for the caloric buck, as far as I'm concerned.

natebrr

Thanks guys.

Mazama

Multivitamin, banana and two boiled eggs.

besserheimerpha

Whey protein only. For me, biking is a means to an end - weight loss. Weight lifting/power lifting is my real passion.

jaxgtr

Just don't ride behind him..

Neil_B

I take a multivitamin, as well as glucosimine.

MnD

Multi, glucosimine, Omega-3

Daveyboy

Multi-vit, Calcium supplement, Fish Oil each day.

After long rides I chug a chocolate recovery drink within 1/2 hour to re-stock the liver and muscles.

I had a bad experience with a whey-laden drink (sustained energy) on a double century last summer, I avoid it. Others have had better luck with it.

natebrr

Thanks guys. Can someone tell me what the glucosimine is for, I will research it later tonight. I tried endurox the other day. It seemed to work very well. Now that I am able to get in more serious rides I want to make sure my bases are covered.

dahoss2002

Multi-vitamin, Vit-C, Zinc, Saw Palmetto. On days i ride hard, I will take a magnesium tab too.

Blanchje

Glucosamine helps lubricate your joints.

StephenH

I just eat food.

Colt45

multi, calcium, b-complex, ... recovery drink is usually a Shiner Bock or Busch Lite if the funds are low

might look into the glucosamine though


I used to take fish oil... but they are expensive... i need to get back to taking those again...

CliftonGK1

Regular commuting and workout days I don't take anything aside from eating food.
Commute days with heavy workout and/or lifting I may knock back a protein drink between my workout and evening feeding.
Distance rides are a mix of manufactured food-like meal substitutes:
- Accel Gels
- Accellerade
- Clif Bars
- MetRX Big Bars
- Multi-vitamin
- Excedrin Migraine
- Nuun tablets

Some combo of a few from that list, plus real-food items like bananas and oatmeal muffins get me the 300 calories/hour to keep up the long miles. (TRYBR half-century last summer, I was muching on some carrot/zucchini bread my fiancee made the night before. I kept it in my h'bar bag so I could just chow down on the go.)
The Excedrin is a combo pill: It keeps me from getting a migraine when I push myself for more than 3 hours, and it's got caffeine in it so I can skip my morning coffee and not deal with the repercussions of withdrawl.

For anything under 40 miles, I usually go with just a snack to eat on the go.
For anything over 50 miles, I start doing "intake planning" and work out a time schedule and appropriate amounts I need to consume.

Daveyboy

Clifton - do you frequently get migraines on longer rides?

I did the first 30 mile ride of the year last Saturday and woke up Sunday am with a migraine. I haven't had one in a while, so I wondered then if it was because I'm not used to craning my neck for so long.

p.s. (sorry for the sidebar.)

CliftonGK1

Since it's related to supplementation, I'll consider this to still be on topic.

My migraines are typically triggered by my insomnia, which causes muscular problems due to the poor quality/lack of sleep. Straining to overcompensate for muscle weakness causes the headaches.
Long distance rides put similar stresses on the body: Holding your head at an unusual position for long hours, strain on the legs and arms, lack of rest, etc. This, combined with the potential for dehydration or imbalance of electrolytes can trigger a headache.
Electrolyte replacements, prophylactic OTC migraine medication, and proper hydration/calorie planning make for a much more enjoyable ride. I don't get headaches from riding anymore, but before I really understood the reasons, it used to happen quite often for any ride I did over 6 or 7 hours.