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19 Fuel Up: No Bonking Allowed!
And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6: 15 ESV
There’s nothing more frustrating than taking off on your mountain bike, and then finding yourself out of energy, with rubbery legs, and a foggy brain—all known as “bonking.” Or at least that is what we called it, and it is no fun. I would begin with a smile, and spin for an hour or two to get to the top of a mountain, and before I knew it, my legs were heavy, I couldn’t think straight, and it’s all I could do to peddle a few short paces. Everything became a chore, and I began to feel myself gathering a cloud of thoughts that would darken my enthusiasm. All I wanted to do is get back to the trailhead and be done with it!
That is what happens when you don’t fuel up before a ride, and when you don’t bring a few energy gels, a power drink, or a *GU. I’m not a stranger to realizing I was not prepared for the ride. There are many anaerobic sections when climbing, and downhilling, that expend energy within minutes of a good ride. This is especially true if you ride to the trailhead and then ride back after an extended spin up a mountain. If you ride with friends, the likelihood that someone has “fuel” to spare is probable. Most riders are more than willing to share their food with other riders since we all know what it’s like to leave home without it. Most weekday rides tended to be around an hour long, and that may not include the ride to and from the trailhead, making rides fairly manageable without a pack of food. However, you can’t always predict how your body will respond to the same ride at different times, with unforeseen added mileage, or unexpected minutes added while out on a trail. It’s best to fuel up before the ride, and whenever possible, take extra energy packs with you! Keep them in a cache in your camelback (next to that spare tube), so when you need them they will be accessible; even better, you’ll have one or two to spare for a fellow rider in need.
When riding, it’s not only about protecting my feet I think about, as mentioned in Ephesians. It is, rather, about being prepared, and having enough to spare. It’s no different when it comes to my faith. When on the bike or off, my light shines into the darkness and I stay prepared to share about the peace I have, God’s peace. At least that is what I want to do. It’s by the grace of God that I can do any of these things! Lord, I ask for you to do this work in my life.
Challenge 19: Fuel up before you go out today, and have a little extra to spare for a friend. Make sure you have plenty of water, and some energy snacks for the ride. That mid-ride break that includes conversation with other riders may also include a friend who will appreciate what you have to spare and be grateful you were prepared.
All my blogs are written from my own experiences, as well as watching fellow riders. Feel free to share any of yours. Comment below for added suggestions and/or ideas.