Story by Mary Reynolds; illustration by Johnathan Fox
Caffeine plays an important role in pro cycling events like the Tour DuPont coming to Richmond in May. In fact, cocky cowboy cyclist Lance Armstrong grew up drinking espresso from the cafes of Austin, Texas. Armstrong won last year’s World Championship and is a favorite in the local race. The best European racers grew up stimulated by the coffee cultures of France, Spain and Italy.
Studies show that caffeine releases epinepherine which helps convert fatty acids to energy. Instead of a quick explosion of energy, caffeine increases endurance. One British researcher has discovered that caffeine actually improves oxygen uptake which reduces fatigue.
Many professional and amateur cyclists use caffeine to enhance their performance. Most consume coffee (100-150 mg) or espresso (150-200 mg) instead of carbonated sodas which cause stomach pain during strenuous exercise.
As regular coffee drinkers know, the body’s tolerance for caffeine increases over time. Last year, Armstrong admitted that he needs more espresso than he used to just to get himself pumped for a race. Will increased caffeine consumption DQ the world champ? Unlikely.
The legal limit for cyclists is 12 micrograms of caffeine per milliliter of urine. Reaching this level requires a person weighing 150 lbs to drink the equivalent of eight cups of strong coffee.
Thus, there is almost no chance of pro cyclists testing positive for Richmond’s drug of choice. But these guys are wired.
