Currently I ride twice a day. Two 11miles commutes.
On the days I don't commute I will ride the BMX track or the Dh bike.
At a weekend I will do Two 20mile rides as well as getting out on the DH or 4x bike both days.
At the moment I currently consume
Protein Shake in a morning.
Sandwhich for lunch - 2 slices of seeded bread.
Proper Tea ( although if in late I will have another shake)
During the day I will snack - flapjack is a favourite.
Drink 3 litres of water a day as a minimum.
Asking people in the know do you think this diet is sufficient? Should i eat somthing more substantial in a morning?
Hard to say. I've certainly trained hard and eaten less than that when deliberately losing weight and been fine but it's very dependent on you individually.
Some people can get up in the morning and ride for 3+ hours with no food, others would bonk after 30mins.
Why are you asking? Are you losing lots of weight/feeling weak/faint/hungry?
If you're feeling fine, and maintaining your weight (assuming you're not trying to lose weight) then stick with it. If you're losing weight and you don't want to, try and get more calories and what not in your diet. Its a matter of making small tweaks and seeing what happens.
I'm no professional in the matter but everyone is different so it strikes me as just keep going with what works for you.
I seem to be gaining weight at the moment even though my calorie intake has not really changed..
On days i eat less though I find the intensity I can ride is reduced.
I just wondered if anyone had any meal type suggestions! Is the protein shakes adequate when skipping meals?
Your activity level looks high and your diet looks ok. I find the protein shake thing questionable. But I am also wondering why you're putting on weight. Weight fluctuates through the day. Do you weigh yourself at the same time everyday?
If you are not losing weight then you have enough calorific intake.
You don't seem to eat much fruit/veg tho.
You don't need a protein shake. Only body builders need to drink those. Normal athletes (at least those doing the amount you are) get all the protein they need from a normal balanced diet. Bulking up would be counter-productive for a cyclist. This might be why you gain weight.
Also you might have a tendency to gain weight during exercise by building muscle. The only way to get around that is to go longer and slower I think. But that changes your riding style. Sounds like you could be the type of athlete that has more fast-twitch muscle, or the sprinter's physiology.
Oh and flapjack is usually very fatty and extremely high in energy. Don't eat it!
"don't eat flapjack" are you insane man!!!
I think the key is: "During the day I will snack - flapjack is a favourite."
As molgrips says, flapjack is very high in fat (and sugar) - and only okay in limited amounts
Could you snack on fruit, or delicious crunchy carrots, instead?
Have you looked into liver lollies as a tasty protein shake replacement?
Your food list a bit vague, if Proper Tea involves loads of cheese, bread and other fatty stuff that might be your culprit.
If Proper Tea is a nice big healthy salad with lean meat then you are OK.
And what is in a protein shake btw ? Flapjacks have loads of sugar and butter too.
Generally its a maximuscle shake in a morning. Only reasone for that over eating is a have 3 horses to do before my commute so I can drink it while walking to the stables.
Lunch comprises of
2 slices of seeded bread
low fat margarine
2 slices of ham
2 slices of cheese
cucumber & tomato
low fat mayo
Evening meal is
Chicken/Fish/Red Meat
Some form of carbs
At least 2 veg
Unless stated I am in late and I somtimes skip.
Yeh I think the flapjack thing needs to be cut out. Only tend to eat them really if I am having a longer session on the bike that night.
Also eat dried fruit as a snack and apples.. Not a huge fan of bananas although there good for me.
You'd be better off with energy bars or cereal bars or something for breakfast I reckon. Protein is not fuel for exercise at all. You'd ride better with some carbs inside you.