Dietary Advice for Winter Riders

Nutrition is an area keenly investigated by new cyclists as your weight and wellness is already likely to be an area of interest prior to the pedal. Once the passion for cycling becomes a part of your DNA however, the appeal of going back online to find nutritional advice might wane as we are all creatures of routine. Since time can change our eating and drinking habits without us noticing what’s missing from our diet, take this opportunity to consciously think about how well you’re preparing for your rides and if there are any adjustments you might want to make. We might be experts in mountain bike components, but we are also adept at offering preparatory advice for preparing your body and your bike. Make sure you are getting the right amount of carbohydrates – too much can make you feel sluggish whereas taking the coy approach of not eating enough won’t give you the energy boost you need. ‘Slow-burn’ carbohydrates are your best bet, and these can be found in breakfast oats, fruit, vegetables and wholegrain pasta or rice with larger meals. Since sustainability is favoured, ensuring you have this type of carbohydrate in your diet will prevent you from falling victim to energetic lulls. Naturally, adequate hydration can play a crucial role in helping you to feel more energised but that’s comparable to saying cranks are essential to your drivetrain in that you are all-too aware of this fact. On that note, should you need to replace your chain rings or worn-down fork seals at the last minute before a big ride, our mountain bike components are available via next day delivery thanks to our vast shipping options. Similarly to your dietary habits however, we do recommend making a habit of inspecting your bike regularly to ensure it runs smoothly and all your road, gravel or mountain bike components are functioning optimally. Since you want your body to be a likewise well-oiled ‘machine’ through winter, remember that adults in Britain often suffer from insufficient levels of Vitamin D and it is recommended to take a supplement throughout the darker months unless you already take a multivitamin. Muscles can become achy and frail due to this deficiency without exercises such as cycling, so eating enough oily fish, red meat and eggs will naturally help your body to take in more Vitamin D to fuel your body appropriately for bike rides. Fish such as salmon and mackerel also provide you with ‘good fats’ that help to keep your body warm and help to boost your performance. Please contact us today if you have any enquiries about which mountain bike components are right for your make and model, either by using the photo help service or by filling in the contact box.