Norwegian journalist tries to eat as much as a Tour de France cyclist, and ends up throwing up

WHAT happens when a regular guy tries to consume the 8290 calories required of a Tour de France cyclist? Warning: It’s not pretty.

THE Tour de France is generally considered to be the most physically demanding major sporting event in the world.

During the 21 days of racing — during which riders do about five-and-a-half hours of riding and cover up to 225 kilometres a day — a cyclist can burn as many as a 10,000 calories in a single ride.

That’s right: a Tour de France cyclist burns in one day what the average Australian man would in five days (2000 calories).

Power ... Tour de France riders have to eat as much as 8200 calories per day to make it through the gruelling 21 days of cycling. Picture: Supplied

So it’s little wonder that so much exercise translates to a diet that would make the average person throw up within minutes.

During the race, cyclists consume a staggering 8290 calories a day. According to Nutrition Australia, the average 16 to18-year-old male should aim to eat about 12,900 kilojoules (3000 calories) a day, while a man aged between 19 and 50 should be eating 11,5500 kj (or about 2,750 calories).

So what happens when this average man tries to eat as much as a Tour de France cyclist?

Very bad things, it transpires.

Norwegian reporter Nicolay Ramm decided to take up the challenge to see if he, a regular Joe Blow, could match the eating habits of a star athlete. The results were ... interesting.

After talking to a team chef about the contestants’ diet, Ramm embarked on the ambitious experiment of eating a massive 8290 calories — in a single sitting.

For breakfast, Ramm began with:

— a full bowl of oatmeal;

— an egg omelet;

— 3 ham and cheese sandwiches;

— a 500 ml smoothie;

— 1 cup of coffee;

— 100 grams of pasta;

— 1 tub of yoghurt; and

— 1 glass of orange juice.

Struggle town ... Ramm is feeling the burn already, and breakfast isn’t even over. Picture: YouTube

“I’m getting full already,” he laughed nervously after polishing off the oatmeal.

By the time Ramm got to coffee, he was doubled over, drinking a huge mug of coffee, followed by the milkshake.

And then ... it was snacktime!

Out came:

— 1 banana

— 1 apple

— handful of nuts

— 2 energy bars

— 1 bottle of water

— More coffee

By this stage, Ramm was visibly struggling, but continued to bravely chip away at the mountain of food in front of him. Next came the food cyclists often polish off during the ride:

— 2 croissants with jam and ham

— 2 cans of Coke

— Copious amount of sports drink

— Water

— 7 energy bars

— 2 energy gels

At 4 hours and 7 minutes, Ramm is about to “puke”.

Out comes the bucket as the clearly sick journalist struggles to keep down his food.

Nearly ... But not quite. Picture: YouTube

He managed to win — this time.

“It’s OK ... barely,” said the resigned Ramm, before making his way to the croissant with jam and salami.

After a while, he sighed: “I can’t take any more!”

But with lunch and dinner still to go, Ramm was seriously struggling. He finally threw up at the five hour mark, after consuming: oatmeal, an omelet, 3 sandwiches, a smoothie, yoghurt, orange juice, apple, nuts, coffee, 100 grams of pasta, 9 energy bars, 31 sports drinks, 1.5 cans of coke.

Putting on a brave face ... Picture: YouTube

Following the much-needed purge, Ramm then considered continuing — but failed.

“No, I’m giving up,” he said after looking at the meat loaf.

“I need the loo.”

His calorie intake: 4300 in 5 hours, 3 minutes.

Defeat ... Ramm decides that his wellbeing is more important than continuing the challenge, and exits half way through. Picture: YouTube

Remaining items:

Smoothie, chicken, rice, juice, steak, pasta, yoghurt, muesli, fruit, nuts, coffee

Originally published as Norwegian journalist tries to eat as much as a Tour de France cyclist, and ends up throwing up