Cyclo-Fuel: A Nutrition Plan for Cyclists

Previous projects by Street include: Cyclo-Core, which focuses on building a successful off-season program for cyclists, and Cyclo-Zen, which combines various yoga techniques with on-the-bike indoor trainer workouts. Both feature exercise DVDs with supplemental audio materials. Whereas these programs sought to improve strength, flexibility, mental toughness, and power, Cyclo-Fuel’s purpose is to ensure that cyclist’s build their bodies with proper nutrition.

Without the foundation of a wholesome nutrition, cyclists cannot reach their potential. This is as true for weekend warriors riding with their buddies as it is for elite cyclists. Like Street’s other programs, Cyclo-Fuel addresses the behind the scenes aspects of what makes an athlete successful. Rather than focusing solely on training techniques, Street’s programs examine what allows an athlete to train and perform at a maximum level. On the surface, core strength, flexibility, mental toughness, and nutrition may not seem like the most important considerations for a cyclist. However, it is precisely these often overlooked components that can make all the difference in an athlete’s success.

The Materials

The Cyclo-Fuel package includes 2 DVD’s, 3 audio CD’s, and 1 Info CD with an assortment of PDF files. The first DVD features Street’s guide to basic nutrition concepts. He promises the viewing audience not to overwhelm them with technical, physiological terminology. Rather, he provides just enough of the science to clarify his recommendations. Perhaps the best aspects of his presentation are that he makes the material understandable to a general audience, and that he’s not prescribing a specific diet or hard and fast rules.

The Theory

The basis of the Cyclo-Core wholesome diet is probably not revolutionary to most. But Street takes the time to create a comprehensive image of what an athlete’s diet should look like, and to establish customizable guidelines. The program recommends lots of vegetables and fruits; lean protein; complex carbohydrates instead of simple carbohydrates; organic foods whenever possible; and most importantly nutrient dense foods rather than junk food. In general, Street touts the advantages of unpackaged whole foods over convenient, packaged, processed foods. But he also is supportive and encouraging of some flexibility within that framework. When time is an issue in the lives of busy athletes, prepared packaged foods become a fallback. Street acknowledges this and provides guidelines and suggestions to help the athlete make the best choices without having to completely change their lives. This makes his program more appealing to a general audience—precisely because there is so much flexibility.

On DVD 2, Street demonstrates simple, wholesome recipes that can be easily altered to accommodate a variety of preferences. His goal is to educate athletes who will eat a healthy diet in their own style. He explains the roles of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, and how they fit into a nutrition plan. Street frequently emphasizes that, “this is not rocket science.” It’s this attitude that is the strength of the program. Street presents an easy template for an athlete to start to make better eating decisions and to form healthy habits.

The Practice

The Info CD features reference materials including a 50-page cookbook, menu samples, grocery lists, and specific nutritional templates. His nutrition plan is “periodized” in much the same way that an athlete’s training plan would be. Periodized training involves stressing an athlete’s body, allowing it to recover, and then stressing it to a new level. The Cyclo-Fuel nutritional program is broken down into Fat-Loss, Maintenance, and Performance phases which will correspond with an athlete’s training load and upcoming goals.

The package also includes a journal to track diet. Athletes are well aware of the importance of keeping a training log: a written record that shows potential causes for success, or even for overtraining and injuries. Keeping a nutritional log serves the same function. The Cyclo-Fuel Journal will allow athletes to see which food choices worked for them and which did not.

Graeme Street’s Cyclo-Fuel program is definitely a tool that will help athletes to make better food choices, to be more energetic in their lives, and to reach their goals. The entire Cyclo-Core lineup provides the basis for building a strong, balanced body that is prepared to take on the rigors of cycling and is a fantastic addition to any cyclist’s media library.