We Tried To Copy A Pro Cyclist's Diet | Did We Puke?

Professional Cyclists eat loads! 120grams of carbs an hour is now typical during races...

This combined with talent and training enables them to ride mind-blowingly fast for hours on end, but what would happen if the rest of us tried to seek fuel like a pro and eat that vast amount of energy?

Will it give us a turbo boost and improve our performance? Would we be running to the toilet? Can you simply go faster by increasing your fuel consumption?

Well… that is what we are going to find out!

00:00 Welcome!
00:55 How Much Should I Eat While Cycling?
01:45 How Much Do Pros Eat While Cycling?
04:55 Which Pro Cyclist Has Eaten The Most?
06:03 1h30 in, how is Hank feeling?
07:12 Don't Forget To Train Your Gut!
09:11 3 hours down, still fresh?
12:20 I'm An Average Cyclist... How Much Should I Eat?
12:55 5 hours in, how does Hank feel?
16:10 Why 60g per hour is a good amount to eat
16:55 Conclusions

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[gcn]

What did you think about Hank's fuelling strategy? 🤔What has your experience been like with fuelling? Let us know!👇

[biketrybe]

I think that in return Ollie should do a six-hour ride with NO carbs.

[KO]

Ollie's fitness has advanced to the point where he can double as Hank's team car and still keep up. 👏Ollie!

[torashuPanda]

One thing I always keep thinking is how GCN makes these shots while riding bikes. I know, probably two people on a motorcycle running in front. I'd like to see more behind the scenes sometimes. Like showing a challenging shot or another curiosities.

[SeattleMarko]

This video was so fantastic to see. Am an avid 62 yr old cyclist who road raced competitively. 4 yrs ago went down the, fueling while riding rabbit hole, primarily watching Neversecond videos.

Now that I top off while riding I don’t suffer energy drop offs like I use to on 160 km+ (100 mile) rides at all anymore. Also maintain higher pace so much easier during 3 hour rides. Wish I had better understood the science of topping off 42 years ago.

Younger riders probably saying, “Thanks Captain obvious.” but if you are a dinosaur like me consider trying to top off at 60-90 grams an hour. Nothing like riding stronger longer and feeling good when you are done.

Thanks for the video!

[psi]

90g/hr for 7hrs. I couldn’t believe how good I felt. And recovery was so much better too

[cruachan]

It would be interesting to have seen a comparison with Conor also doing this challenge, given that everyone knows how much he loves his food (plus he's a giant, especially compared to Hank!). Other takeaways are that Ollie very much relishes the role of GCN's mad scientist/evil genius and that he's right that it's scary how good Hank is despite never fuelling properly.

[ebmike]

@3:55 Hanks expression is the same as mine when I start loading my fuel in my jersey pockets for my Gran Fondo Events haha. You guys and GCN are awesome!

[rogersimmons]

I so, so much wanted Ollie to say 'yesterday' when Hank asked him when he'd made the porridge.

[mattjoiner]

Serious question guys- I get eating more on the road, but how much does it cost to eat like Hank in this video? How many can afford four or five $5 gels every longer ride? Plus drinks. It gets crazy.

[MrYoungkimba]

When the video started, I was thinking “how the hell did they find a day where it’s not raining?” But England never disappoints!

[thoom]

Ad or not, this is the kind of content we want. Nice work, boys.

[tomjenkins]

Hank what a trooper!! I've been riding for years and have always underfed until recently. For long rides now I aim for 90g per hour and it's been a revelation, not only for the end of the ride but for recovery too, easing that feeling of being completely wiped out and unable to move for the rest of the day.

[ethangodridge]

As mentioned it takes time to build this up. Yesterday I did a 6 hour ride taking in 120g CHO per hour. Felt strong a bit was stuffed after. In my experience makes me not crave any ‘crap’ when off the bike and doesn’t lead to post ride binges.

[philadams]

Patiently waiting for Durianrider's response. CTFU!

[ericcsaba]

Now it's Ollie"s turn. Different people react to fuel in different ways. We need to see a comparison. Foe Science.
Thanks

Right Hank?

[markjohnston]

Fueling is such a hard thing to work out, as a cyclist. I will be checking out that calculation tool from Precision.

I'm amazed Hank managed to get all that carbs down and keep going

[kevinmcbride]

I am a type 2 diabetic and gels and things are like kryptonite to me as they massively spike my sugar. That said, I do need to eat and I possibly need more electolytes than other people. For me, cycling is one of the few times I can eat 'naughty' food like sausage rolls etc but, I can't just carb load like other people. Would be good to see a show that covered diabetic cyclists because cycling is really good for diabetics but fueling is a complicated issue.

[johnofhinton]

I’ve been training with a coach for the past 6 months, for a gravel race in May, gradually increasing carb intake to 100g per hour for 5 hours, I’m 70 so power output is not that great but what a difference this has made not only during the ride but the recovery time is much quicker. I’m able to maintain my meagre power for the full 5 hours, fantastic.

[bikebudha]

I have spent A LOT of time with untra endurance cyclists (where the event is 300-800 miles). The single biggest thing that dictates success is the rider's stomach. MOST people's stomachs just can't function while under stress, especially for long periods. The blood is too busy doing other things besides digestion.