Maybe it's less the caffeine and more the "something wet and not at all flavored like water or sports drink"? I often any beverage that isn't like those I train with after the long workouts. Perhaps you even went by a Starbucks and that smell just got stuck somewhere in your brain :)

I like chocolate milk after a long workout!
Not only does it have everything you need for recovery in it, it tastes great! It's similar to coffee? Maybe try that?

Dunno... but like I mentioned my "cravings" are often mental... something that smelled good at a hungry point of the workout, or something that I thought of during it. There was one bike ride in particular that for about 60 miles I was thinking of a cheeseburger at Wendy's... and I think I'd had one once before like 5 years previous! (and yes, we went to Wendy's after that ride)

A little research info by Dick Rafoth MD on UltRunR.com:

CAFFEINE (++)

Caffeine is a member of a group of compounds called methylxanthines found naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, chocolate, cocoa beans, guarana, and cola (kola) nuts.

During prolonged exercise, the onset of fatigue correlates closely with the depletion of muscle glycogen stores (and is delayed if glycogen is spared). The metabolism of free fatty acids (FFA) as an alternative energy source can lead to decreased use of muscle glycogen. Caffeine can increase blood FFAs, and it is felt that this is its major method of action. In one study, caffeine produced a 50% increase in FFA at 3 to 4 hours. This effect was seen after 300 mg of caffeine (An average 6 ounce cup of brewed coffee contains 100 - 150 mg of caffeine).

There is speculation that some of its benefits may also be related to its central nervous system effect as a stimulant, and a recent study has demonstrated a direct positive effect on the muscle fiber itself with a reported 7% increase in power output over a 6 second cycle exercise task.

In one controlled study, subjects were able to perform for 90 minutes to fatigue as compared to 75 minutes in controls (a 20% increase) after the drinking the equivalent of 3 cups of coffee or 6 caffeinated colas 1 hour before, even though values for heart rate and oxygen uptake were similar in both groups. Another study, looking at performance with acute altitude change (4300 meters), demonstrated a 50% increase in performance with caffeine supplements. How this would help at lesser elevations, riding in the Rocky Mountains for example, is not clear.

A suggested dose of caffeine for the recreational rider is 5 mg per kg of body weight if you are taking a tablet or 1.2 cups of coffee per 100 pounds of body weight taken 1 hour before the ride although some riders prefer smaller doses taken periodically throughout the ride itself.

But there are potential side effects. Caffeine can cause headaches, insomnia, and nervous irritability. In addition it is a potent diuretic and can lead to dehydration. However the biggest negative is that in high concentrations it is considered a drug and is banned by the US Olympic Committee and US Cycling Federation (to exceed the US cycling Federation's legal limit for caffeine - urine concentration of 12 micrograms/ml - one would have to ingest 600 mg of caffeine and have a urine test within 2 to 3 hours).

The bottom line is that most endurance athletes consider caffeine useful if used correctly. This includes a period of abstinence for several weeks before the event as habitual use induces tolerance.

I always seem to gravatate toward a cup of hot tea after a long run or ride or event...but that's in addition to a recovery meal or drink...just somthin' about a cup a' that makes my tired ol bones seem ...better
If it's really hot....ice cold Pepsi.

I think that for me the cravings root more in the "comfort food" realm than anything else. I rarely drink Coke, or eat burgers so after a long workout I am telling myself, yeah! That sounds awesome! That's why you do this! You can spare the calories. I usually give-in.

Are you craving caffeine or coffee?

I like coffee, so sometimes I crave it.

I don't really know what a caffeine craving would feel like. I purposely get caffeine when I am tired, but I don't crave it.

Caffeine cravings don't feel good...well the withdrawl part doesn't. For me this manifests as headaches, intense craving for 'something' etc. Ugh. That's why I have a cup in the morning asap...
it's not an addiction- it's a relationship that I'm willing to nurture. :p

There is some suggestion in recent research that ingesting caffeine with glucose increases the uptake of glucose during exercise. It is only preliminary, and requires further study, but it is an interesting idea on how caffeine can help with endurance performance.

There is some research that suggests caffeine helps with fat utilisation, hence its use inendurance sports. Alot of the top Ironmen drink brewed coffee beofre Hawaii...Chris McCormack, and Peter Ried to name 2