This weekend, I set out on a 77-mile ride with my mates. But instead of fancy (and pricey) energy bars, I had something different - homemade flapjacks.

And they performed brilliantly.

As we rolled through the picturesque Kent lanes, something interesting happened. Mile after mile ticked by, and I kept waiting for that dreaded energy crash.

You know the one - where your legs feel like lead and every hill looks like Everest?

But it never came.

Instead, I felt strong. Really strong. The combination of steady carbs from my drink and the slow-release energy from the flapjacks kept me firing on all cylinders.

No sugar spikes, no bonking - just consistent power all ride long.

But here's the kicker: It wasn't just during the ride that I noticed a difference.

The real surprise came afterwards.

Usually, after a big ride like that, I'd be wiped out for the rest of the day. But this time? I recovered way faster than normal.

No afternoon nap needed, no aching muscles - I actually felt pretty good. ( I even managed a 10 mile hike the following day).

The key lesson is that you don't need fancy bars or expensive nutrition for every ride. What you really need is to fuel properly.

A bit of planning, a solid carb strategy, and a few homemade snacks can change everything. It's not rocket science, but it is science - and it works.

Fuelling well = riding well = recovering well.

It's a simple equation, but one that can make a massive difference to your cycling. Whether you're tackling long weekend rides or just trying to keep up with your regular group, proper fuelling is the key to unlocking your potential on the bike.

I know what you might be thinking - that it's great for me, but you don't have time to bake flapjacks every week. And I get it - life is busy. But here's the thing: You don't need to reinvent the wheel.

Start small. Plan your carb intake for your next ride. Try making a batch of simple ride snacks (I'll share my partner's flapjack recipe soon). Experiment with your fuelling strategy.

The results might surprise you.

And because I want you to be fuelling properly this winter too, I'm offering something special. How does a £20 Styrkr voucher sound? Pretty good, right?

Well, I'm giving one to the first 10 people who sign up for the Cycle Lean Project. It's my way of helping you kickstart your journey to better fuelling and stronger riding.

Interested?

Click here to learn more and join the priority list. But don't wait - those vouchers won't last long!

Remember, better fuelling isn't just about performing well on the bike. It's about enjoying your rides more, recovering faster, and feeling stronger overall. Isn't that worth a try?

So, are you ready to fuel smarter and ride stronger? Your next great ride is waiting - let's make it happen together.

Neil