Proper fueling isn’t optional, it’s the key to building durability for races and long rides.
Lately, I’ve seen a lot of chatter about athletes “over fueling.”
In my 11 years of coaching and 15 years racing in the World Tour, I can tell you this: I rarely saw anyone actually over-fuel.
The truth? Cyclists are amazing at two things:
1️⃣ Emptying the tank.
2️⃣ Not eating because they feel their rides are “too short” or “not hard enough.”
But here’s what I’ve found, both as a coach and an athlete:
When you fuel consistently with the right carbs, in the right amounts, your workouts improve. Your power goes up. And you have the energy to repeat it day after day, stacking workouts and long rides to build real durability.
Most of us only have 60–90 minutes to train during the week. The mistake? Skipping fuel because you can. Sure, you’ll survive the ride, but:
- You’ll feel flat the next day.
- Your recovery suffers.
- You show up to the weekend rides already depleted.
- Progress stalls, and athletes think they’ve hit their ceiling.
At CINCH, we coach fueling just like we coach power and technique:
- Fueling during the ride even when it feels “short.”
- Practicing the right macros at the right times.
- Teaching your body it can run on a full tank without adding weight.
Fueling isn’t just about today’s ride. It’s about stringing together days, weeks, and races so you can grow, not just in fitness, but in durability.