Why Most Riders Underfuel in Hard Enduro (And Pay for It Later)

If you’ve ever felt strong early and terrible late, chances are you didn’t suddenly lose fitness — you ran out of fuel.

Underfueling is one of the biggest silent performance killers in hard enduro.

The Unique Energy Cost of Hard Enduro

Hard enduro combines:

• Long durations

• High heart rates

• Constant technical demand

• Heavy isometric muscle contractions

  
  

This burns carbohydrates fast — much faster than trail riding or adventure riding.

Common Underfueling Myths

• “I’ll just eat at checkpoints”

• “Too much sugar upsets my stomach”

• “I want to stay light”

The result? Low blood sugar, cramps, mental mistakes, and loss of power.

What Happens When You Underfuel

• Early fatigue despite good fitness

• Loss of fine motor control

• Poor line choice

• Increased crash risk

Late-race mistakes are often fueling mistakes.

How to Fuel Properly for Hard Enduro

A simple guideline:

• 50–150g carbohydrates per hour

• 600–1200mg sodium per hour

• Liquid-first fueling via hydration bladder

This keeps energy stable and digestion simple.

Final Takeaway

Hard enduro isn’t won by toughness alone. It’s won by riders

who fuel early, fuel often, and stay sharp until the finish.