Anyone else smell of cat pee!?

After a ride of say 3 hours level 2 I really smell of ammonia (spelling?)... it even makes my eyes water!

I think this is to do with protein breakdown, am I right here?
Should I be consuming less/more carbs/protein to combat this... or is it just a fact of life when training for longer periods.

Chris

I think its more likely to be something to do with the sweat/bacteria equation.

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I believe it might be latic acid and other toxins in your persperation, you should smell a martial arts dojo ( kendo ) cat piss central

How hard are you training ?

When I do aerobic base work for hours in hot weather, sweat is odor free, for a short while anyway.

Nah.. sweat does not smell when it's fresh. After few hours maybe!

Level 1/2 rides in the region of 3+ hours (with warmp up and cool down) really do the business for the smell!

Anything over 2h is when I start to get this issue.

I thought I was the only one. I do not smell OF ammonia, but I smell it very strongly in my nose...if that makes any sense. I used to experience it often when I first started riding, or when I haven't trained in a while. After a few weeks back on the bike I no longer smell it.

You're right about the protein. I always smell it in the shower after a big ride. Try eating/drinking some sort of protein in the middle of your ride. And again after your ride. I like whey protein drinks after a big workout.
Don't worry, I think it's a good sign that you're doing this, just be sure to eat.

Tim

Why would it be protein?

Also why eat protein before, during and after the ride when carbohydrate consumption will reduce protein metabolism during training more?

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http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm Go here. It offers an explanation.

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That's what works for me. I use the carb drinks/bars too but I've found the protein added to my intake seems to stop the ammonia smell better. One factor is I've done a lot of weight training and have a fair amount of upper body mass. When I'm out for more than 3 hours, I start catabolis and smell like a litter box! If I get some protein in me (I take creatine too), then it solves the problem.

Tim

Ah, so I'm not the only one!

Used to blame laundry detergents interacting but after sweating a some new, never washed cottons I realized it was me.

Definitely ammonia-like, and strong too!

But, never happens when biking, more like when extended stationary indoor stuff (treadmill, spinning).

I just take it as a sign that I had a good, deep workout and all is well.

Plus outdoors I always wear dry-fit stuff anyway, like most folks here do...

Umm we'll i've heard from, well can't remember but when your sweat smells like ammonia it's because your catapolistic(not sure what the word is) but your muscles start breaking down for energy. It's probably happining on longer rides because you're not giving your body the fuel it needs.
What do you eat when you ride for 3 hours?

I don't have ammonia problems but my 2 German Rottweilers do, they fart so bad makes my eyes water, & it's hard to budge a 125lb. dog out of the bed......talk about a Dutch Oven!!!

If the dogs are in the bed ???

where do you put your bike ?

Thanks for that...

Think I'm still a doubter about the smell, but their advice to take in carbs to avoid protein metabolism is spot on. Some of the others should read this too.

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I thought this a good advice article, but there’s more to the story.

I practiced Kendo ( Samurai bamboo sword play ) for 15 years, for this we wore heavy cotton and lacquered bamboo armor and head gear. The protection this armor provided also inhibited the lose of body heat.

Everyone, no exceptions, stunk of ammonia and so did their armor.

I perspire fairly easily, and yet never ever smelt like cat piss on the bike, ( as I rode for fitness then) indoor, out door, not then, not now, not ever.

And I did a sports nutrition coarse back whenever and was very aware of doing the carb thing two hours before training...

So I can not completely except the lack of carb theory, however it is very hard to drink water when we had head gear on, so the hydration angle may have merit. I did however drink lots of water during the day and prior to training.

The other unique aspect to Kendo was the explosive nature of the exercise. Very explosive, action less then 1 second, or a succession of explosive actions lasting less then 15 seconds, followed by maybe 10 seconds of recovery, and away again, bout about 30 seconds to 3 minutes tops.

I also had the good fortune of visiting The Kyoto dojo which is... I’m not really sure now, hundreds of years old. Imagine the smell of hundred year old cats piss.

I always thought the smell was the result of anaerobic exercise. Now that has been shaken, I’m going to have to investigate this further...