Temps are dropping and if you’re not lucky enough to be on a trip with us in a warm, sunny destination, you’re likely shifting your wardrobe over from hot weather kit to cold weather gear. But should your nutrition change as well?
Start with warm bottles
Warm water will take longer to chill (or freeze entirely), so always start your ride with warm water in your bottles. You can also look for insulated water bottles to keep the water warmer for longer, and prioritize starting your ride fully hydrated so even if it does freeze by midway, you still have fuel in the tank.
Make some fun seasonal swaps
Summer is for light citrus flavors, but when the temperatures cool off, we like to shift to more cold weather classics. Enervit has plenty of great options, like bars featuring hazelnuts and raspberry gels. And we’re big fans of warming up your chocolate Enervit recovery drink so it tastes like a decadent hot chocolate.
Plan more stop options along the route
At inGamba, we respect the mid-ride coffee shop stop, and on cold weather rides, it’s a lifesaver. Plan your route with a stop or two where you can warm up, sip an espresso, and have a snack indoors. Your chattering teeth will thank you. Just keep the stop relatively quick, since the warmer you get, the less inclined you are to get rolling again!
Know how your snacks change in the cold
Look for options that won’t freeze or change consistency in cold temperatures. While gels and bars are fantastic for most temperatures, in very cold weather , they can be a little bit gummier than you may prefer. Choose options like rice bars, cookies, or other baked goods and skip anything that’s chewy when cold, unless you’re tucking those gels and chews into interior pockets that you know will stay warm.
Or skip snacks in favor of sports drink
When it’s cold, all of your layers plus heavy gloves can make it hard to reach into pockets or open gels. So have your hydration double as your fuel source instead!
Set reminders to drink
As temperatures drop, you’re less likely to feel thirsty, or even hungry, but your body is still craving water, electrolytes and carbs. Set a timer on your watch or computer to remind you to take a sip and a snack every 15 minutes so that you stay in the habit of fueling on your ride!
