Originally Posted by
rubiksoval
Excessive caffeine has done nothing but give me massive, debilitating cramps in longer races. Also doesn't seem very effective in shorter races.
The biggest difference I've found in "feel" has been from training during weight loss (so seemingly perpetually on the edge of a bonk) and then properly fueling and excessive consumption on the bike (especially with something like maltodextrin). Malto in the bottles after periods of training and weightloss feels like NOS.
My breakfast before hard rides is malto and whey protein, same for recovery drink if any, and my on-bike food is the same, but only 7/1 ratio on the bike. Yes, it's good fuel. Got the idea from Hammer - tried their product first, then made my own mix. 50# bags of malto from a homebrew wholsaler. Strength of mix depends on ride length, 750 calories/bottle for Serious Rides, extra powder in the saddle bag.