Cycling Fever!

This year’s tour runs from 4th – 26th July and is already off to a thrilling start!

As always during the Tour series, cycling fever is running high!

Whether it’s the riders competing in the Tour or the Raleigh GAC riders competing in the Elite Road or Circuit series, they all know the importance of being properly hydrated before and during a race and the absolute necessity of recovery afterwards.

Ensuring you stay hydrated is not only necessary for your body to function correctly, it is also fundamental for you to stay focused; a 2% loss in hydration equals a 10% loss in performance. This could be the difference in finishing in a podium place!

We all know physical activity is thirsty work, and how it leaves us feeling when we become dehydrated. Dehydration occurs due to a loss of fluid from the body (through sweating, perspiration and urination) which is not being replaced as quickly as it is being lost, causing you to become tired and fatigued. This then affects your performance levels,

When exercising our bodies lose fluids through perspiration. We not only lose water when we exercise, we also lose important minerals (also known as electrolytes) such as potassium, chloride and sodium.

Having the correct hydration is the key to powering on and winning the race. For the Team Raleigh GAC riders that success comes from taking the Direct Nutrition Elite Hydrate. This is a tried and tested formula used by athletes for over 10 years. This drink mix contains an electrolyte blend that includes those lost minerals so taking the Elite Hydrate enables the riders to replenish their body's water and electrolyte levels when training and racing.

Here are some of the Raleigh GAC rider’s comments about the Elite Hydrate and why they like it so much!

Steve Lampier 'Elite hydrate berry mix is the bomb! During a race Elite Hydrate Berry is my preferred flavour to drink but I have one water one berry hydrate during training and the last part with that keeps energy levels tip top.'

Liam Stones 'Elite Hydrate Zesty Lemon & Lime flavour is my favourite. It's probably the best on the bike hydration drink I have ever used! Not only does it taste great but it's so refreshing and doesn't leave you with any more thirst or a horrible aftertaste that so many of these products can do. I've always suffered during racing with stomach cramps after consuming so much of these similar products but since using Direct Nutrition’s powders I've had no trouble what so ever, which leaves me with one less thing I have to worry about when racing! It's a reliable and great tasting product.'

Karol Domagalski 'Elite hydrate Orange allows me to have proper hydration of the body during the long hard races. Being properly hydrated is absolutely critical.'

Sam Lowe 'Elite Hydrate Berry is one of my favourite Direct Nutrition products. The thing I like most about all of Direct Nutrition products is that they are all great tasting products. They provide everything needed in terms of nutrition for before, during and after a ride/race. Taking the Direct Nutrition products means that you’re always fuelled well before and during a ride/race and can recover properly afterwards as well.'

So you’ve been properly hydrated and riding for hours, battled the hills, powered through the race and sprinted across the finish to take the yellow jersey! You have pushed your body and muscles to their limits, now your recovery is key!

Post-race/workout is the crucial time to replenish your bodies Glycogen levels, to stop muscles from breaking down as well as repair and re-build them. The critical time or ‘post workout opportunity window’ to take your recovery product is the first 30 minutes immediately after your race, training or exercise.

This is when team Raleigh GAC take their Direct Nutrition Elite Post-Workout Restore and Replenish. This has been specifically formulated to include a Phase Release Carbohydrate Blend (Hydrolysed Waxy Maize Starch, Dextrose & Maltodextrin); a Vital-Flex Blend (Collagen Hydrolysate); Glutamine Complex Blend (Glutamine Peptides, L-Glutamine); Creatine Monohydrate and BCAA 2:1:1 (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine).

We have also encompassed a Vitamin and Mineral Premix containing Electrolyte Blend and Vitamins. Remember the hydrate information about our bodies losing important minerals as well as fluid through perspiration (electrolytes)? Well, losing these essential vitamins and minerals (such as Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron and Sodium) can have consequences such as muscle cramps and fatigue. Direct Nutrition Elite Post Workout has the right amount of the above minerals to replenish what our body needs by helping muscle recovery, reducing Cramps and Fatigue. It is also proven that Magnesium and Iron contribute to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue, that Calcium and Phosphorus contribute to normal energy yielding metabolism and that Chloride contributes to normal digestion by production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Team Raleigh GAC riders know exactly how important recovery is to their training, racing and winning! Here’s what some of them have to say about the Direct Nutrition Post Workout Restore & Replenish;

Andy Hawdon 'I like all the products we use and I'm not easily pleased when it comes to nutrition so that's an indication of how great the products are. If I had to pick one product as a favourite I'd say the Elite Post Workout Restore and Replenish recovery shake, it mixes well, tastes great and most of all is effective at getting recovery started as soon as the hard work is done, a shake after training and racing followed later by good food leaves me with no muscle soreness the following day.'

Brad Morgan 'The Post Workout Restore & Replenish has everything you need to make a solid start to recovering after a hard day on the bike. Strawberry flavours tastes great too!

George Pym 'My favourite Direct Nutrition product is the Post-Workout Restore & Replenish. The best thing about this product is the inclusion of important vitamins and minerals that the body craves after a hard training session or race. I actually mix this with milk, instead of water, as this seems to be even better for my recovery. I have this as soon as possible after my training session/race.'

Morgan Kneisky (Three times world champion and current Madison Track champion) 'The Elite Post-Workout Restore & Replenish strawberry deluxe is a must for me just after the race. It tastes great and really works!'

Ian Wilkinson 'I just love the Post Workout Restore & Replenish recovery drink. It’s sometimes hard to get the right nutrition in straight after a hard effort but the Direct Nutrition products makes it easy because they are so tasty!'

Whether you’re aiming to be the next Chris Froome or Bradley Wiggins, yellow jersey winner or king of the mountains or just cycling for the pure enjoyment, remember that hydration and recovery are essential!