Fuel Your Fire

Cycling Coach Robbie Ventura has hundreds of races and rides under his belt, and he knows that Summer training comes with its own challenges and rewards:“It’s the season to enjoy the beauties of the outdoors while growing as an athlete. That might be learning to climb better, building endurance, improvingbike skills or working on your pedaling cadence,” he explains. “The goal is to grow as a cyclist, enjoying the excitement of harder training sessions thatwill make you better.”

Embracing a more rigorous training schedule will be wasted effort if you fail to step up your nutrition. “Without the right kind and amount of fuel, wewill not ride at our best,” stresses Robbie. “A good starting point is to consume 20 ounces of water with electrolytes per hour and 200–250 calories anhour on longer rides.” Carbohydrates are the primary fuel used during cycling, and it’s critical to replace some of that fuel as you lose it. So as youplan long rides or tackle tough climbs, don’t head out before nailing down your nutrition/hydration plan. Figure out what works for you now, so that whenyou arrive at the Pro-Am, you’ll be all set.

Many cyclists fall in love with cycling again in the Summer—there’s something special about the sights, sounds and freedom the bike brings. If youneed a few days away to focus on your training, we’d love to have you here. After all, Coach Robbie insists that the best recovery food he knows is “agreat Blackberry lunch of freshly grilled veggies, beautifully barbecued meats and, of course, terrific Blackberry Farm Brewery beer!”

Happy riding this Summer. We look forward to seeing you September 17–20 for the Pro-Am. Want to sign up for the Pro-Am or learn more about Robbie’s training tips? Visit blackberryfarm.com or call our Reservations Team.