Training & Nutrition - Lunch Rides - Eat B4 or After?

When you ride during lunch...do you eat before you go or after you get back...and why?

I usually eat light about 45 minutes before I go...I'm going to try eating after.

if you are riding very hard or far, it would be a good idea to get a few calories in after your ride as well. your glycogen (sp?) levels are lower after exercise, and it is beneficial to restore them. if you don't, your metabolism actually slows down.

I make sure I eat some thing before I ride (especially since I take my lunch hour at 2 PM) I also make sure I eat when I get back, especially if I was really pushing myself. I usually have a sandwich or a salad with chicken and some fruit. It seems to be working. I am not feeling bad after my rides.

eat carbos just before and during your ride then eat a meal after your ride. Your muscles are wide open for the calories soon after exercise.

what about during? when I do centuries, often times there is a sag stop with a 'lunch' break, I normally ride by and just have a few powerbars while riding, breaking for a bigger meal afterwards... but it seems like I try to eat and drink while riding so I don't bonk :)

No desire for food, I force myself to have a 1/2 bagel in the morning and that's usually it until I return home. I know, not good. So..... for future centuries, I will eat breakfast at least 1 1/2 hours before I began a long ride and have a banana or two along the way... :-)

Fyi: http://www.roadbikerider.com/articles2.htm#How%20to%20Eat%20for%20Endurance

If I eat before a ride I feel like crap. I like to catch a bite after I shower up and can veg out for a little while.

Both! yum yum yum...

I'll typically snack on something about an hour before the ride and then eat lunch after showering upon my return.

Zack

I eat a carbo loading type meal before leaving- like a power bar or a glass of orange juice, and if it's a long ride, I bring additional gatorade and powerbar reinforcements along to get me through the ride.

After my ride, I'll have more additional carbo-loading for a lunch meal- some type of pasta, and some kind of protein for muscle rebuilding (chicken or ham or eggs) and a salad, of course! If it was a long ride, I'll have a bigger lunch than usual. Long rides always make me hungry when I get home.

KB

I usually eat breakfast, oatmeal or toast w/ peanut butter and a bananna, before the ride. I take a 15-20 min break for a sack lunch during the ride. Usually a *power burrito* or a sandwich and a piece of fruit and clif bar. After the ride, if ending around dinnertime, I'll go out for a burger or mexican.

I burn a whole lot of calories so I watch what I eat but I don't put a limit on the intake beyond what my stomach tells me. I try to bring along more than I think I will need and usually end up distributing clif bars to keep my friends riding with me.

I can't imagine doing 100 miles without a prior fuel stop. I like simple cereal about 30 minutes before a ride. I seem to digest that fine.. One hundred mile ride in bad weather- I ate virtually nothing before the ride. I almost bonked. I shamefully walked the last 1/3 mile to the lunch spot...In spite of the power drink and a couple power bars.. It was a cold, rugged ascent..

Before, during, and after. Before the ride I eat whatever's within reach and not too heavy. Unless it's actually 'meal time', then I eat a whole meal but don't stuff myself. During the ride I'll have probably two power bars. Preferably the extra protein ones. When I get home, I like to make a protein shake out of chocolate soy milk, chocolate protein powder, and raspberries. Usually while I'm drinking it I'm making something more filling to eat. If I skip any of it, I get a little light headed. I swear I'm like the damn Mighty Dog. "Small hyper dogs need lots of fuel"