Recently, I wrote about various scientific studies which suggested beetroot juice had a beneficial impact on cycling performance. Suitably impressed, I decided to hold my very own, not quite as scientific, study.
This week, I paid £3.50 for a bottle of organic beetroot juice from Holland & Barrett. I drank the beetroot juice for four days before a 10 mile time trial on Sat, 18th June. The course was the F20/10 in Hertfordshire.
I finished in first place with a time of 20.07. This was a new personal best at 10 miles (previous was 20.09 last year on U47). It was also over 1 minute quicker than my previous two 10 mile time trials (I did 21.13 and 21.17 this year)
Scientific Conclusions of this Unique Study
- Beetroot Juice definitely turns your urine pink.
- Organic Beetroot juice is expensive and doesn’t even taste nice, for want of a better description it tastes like highly concentrated beetroot.
What about Performance?
- A minute quicker than previous 10 mile time trials is encouraging. Unfortunately, the time trials are not comparable. The courses are different. The F20/10 is flat and the turn is really quick. Yesterday, it was a windy evening, but it felt quite fast. Also, I’m always faster later in day than in morning like last time trial.
- I made a few tweaks to my position and used some new aerodynamic equipment (aero gloves) I will be reviewing soon.
- Nevertheless, it’s really nice to set a new pb, and it definitely encourages me to try it again. It definitely didn’t make me feel any slower!
F20/10
On the way to the race, I nearly turned round because there were some strong rain and threatening clouds. However, the weather forecast had said clear skies and sun for the time of the race so I persevered. By my start time, it had more or less stopped raining. If was still raining I may have dns because it is not so safe on dual carriageways when wet. Quite a few riders decided not to race at all, and I can understand why.
I didn’t warm up for race apart from 3 miles down A10 to start. The road surface was pretty good apart from a section of lumpy bits at about 7 miles, but it didn’t last for long.
30mph Target
The funny thing is on finishing I was really disappointed not to get a ’19′ – this is a magic target because it means you averaged over 30mph for ride. Hopefully, if I keep downing the beetroot, keep improving aerodynamics, a less windy day, and even a bit more training and I should hopefully do it later in the year.
Thanks to marshals for standing out on a dual carriageway on their Saturday evening. It was also really nice to have a spectator on side of road jingling some Swiss cow bells. The A10 on a Saturday night is not exactly Alpe d’Huez with closed roads, but I really appreciated someone creating a little atmosphere, just after turn.
Related
congratulations on the pb.
Beetroot juice urine samples in the tour would be great, that would really confuse the drugs testers!
great post, and good work on the pb!
Congratulations on a great time!
Your blog post had me reach for a book called “Eat for Immunity” by Kirsten Hartvig. It’s a really good book. It cites beetroot as a superfood and mentions “….it’s [beetroot] unique mixture of minerals and phytochemicals resists infections, boosts cellular intake of oxygen….” and which might point towards your positive view of beetroot. It does go on to say “needs to be taken over a relatively long period of time to improve general health….”
So, what’s your next step? ! ?
O well, that encourages me to keep drinking the old beetroot juice! next step is break 20 mins
You don’t sound too convinced?