Bonking: what it is, how it feels, and tips to never experience it

7/24/2023Alex Filippov

Bonking: what it is, how it feels, and tips to never experience it

It's time for us to talk about bonking in cycling. Not that kind of bonking (although that is also something we should write about), but the kind that no cyclist ever wants to experience. The dreaded energy crisis that sneaks up on you without warning. Like how Dementors drain life from their victims in Harry Potter books, bonking can turn even the most seasoned cyclist into a stumbling, mumbling ghost within minutes. Let's explore what bonking is exactly, dig into the physiological and psychological aspects of it, highlight famous examples of bonking among professional cyclists, and look at practical tips for avoiding this phenomenon.

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Alex Filippov
A proud member of a more laidback breed of riders who ride to live and don't rush things. He regularly rides without a smartwatch or computer to remind himself of what riding is really about. When it's dreary, he puts on his muddy trail running shoes and hits the Carpathian trails.
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