Training & Nutrition - What do you eat when riding? I need something different.

I usually eat a granola bar every 30 minutes. I don't think thats what I need, or I need to mix in something else. On todays ride I stopped at WaWa for water since, I carry 2 bottles and when I do more than 40 miles I run out. While there, I decided to get 2 of the Mixed Fruit Cups. Each one has 1 cup of fruit. After eating that, I was almost instantly given a boost and although my legs were screaming, I was able to give a strong effort for the ride home, which was about 10 miles. What do you all eat or recommend that would give me the quick boost like the fruit but also something like the granola that would be a longer lasting energy source. Powerbars and such seem so pricey, not that WaWa's fruit is cheap either. Should I do something like alternate dried fruit with granola or is there something better? I noticed on my other 50 mile rides, I started to bonk with 10 miles left as well.

Breakfast bars (I know similar to granola but a little different). I use honey sometimes and that works pretty good.

Normally everyone elses trail dust...it keeps me going.

Hi,
I eat pretzels (salt and no fat!), Gu, Powerbars,Gorp, Cinamon Buns, and the occasional mid ride lunch. Just stop somewhere and eat something. Last week we stopped at the Yarmouth Clam Festival and the mid ride snack was.......fried clams and strawberry shortcake. Didn't lose any weight on that ride!

Grandma's Cookies at about 2 for 60 cents.

I stop at Subway and get a whole wheat roll with turkey.

Start out with a good oatmeal bkfst. Holds me about 30-40 miles.

Snickers bar

One other thing I find helpful is to have water in one bottle and gator or powerade in the other. This gives you 100+ calories in the second bottle and may be enough. Also eating perhaps 2-300 calories of something that digests slowly shortly before you leave (couple of bagels and honey or cream cheese) will provide a boost in that last 10miles. Muscles are powered by blood borne nutrients in part but muscle glycogen stores significantly til they run out somewhere between 40 and 60 miles. Training and longer rides will boost muscle storage a bit but they still run out and then your energy level will depend on oral intake. Steve

I normally eat GU on a ride. If it is a long ride I may pack a lunch or buy it on the road. I often each a pack of GU just before riding. If I start from home I eat a bananna as well.
-Duncan

my words...sometimes.

I usually eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or some toast and peanut butter about 2 hours before the ride, a banana about 30 minutes before and during the ride, I usually eat a balance bar, or occasionally some Gels... I've gone as far as 64 miles on this.. I also have some gatorade in my bottle, and if there is a midway stop on my club ride, I usually get some Espresso, or other coffee style drink

Jeff

Bananas, Oreos, or club crackers. Some times all of them. I try to take some crackers and cookies with me and just see as I go. I always tend to smash bananas though.

I like dried fruit, fig newtons, granola bars, power/clif bars, gatorade, etc. I try to stick with high carb items. Since I stop and take a break to eat, I think the psycological benefit of eating combined with 15 minutes of rest is more a factor than the calories injested.

If you're looking into making your own power bars, try some internet searches for "homemand power bar" or "homemade energy bar." I found a plethora of recipes on random sites. It's much cheaper than buying the actual bars, and have the energy your seeking. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but I plan to coming up for a mountain biking trip we're doing.

I second the PB&J. I eat a PB&J sandwich for lunch every day, which is about two yours before I begin my ride. I carry two bottles of Gator-Ade and enough extra powder to reload.

I also carry a Clif-Bar for every two hours I ride. I have found that Clif-Bars, while not extremely delicious, are at least edible and mildly enjoyable. Some of the others are just flat-out gross!

I recently bought Power Gels and will see now they work out.

PowerBars and PowerBar gel.

At $1.39 each, PowerBar gel packs can get expensive. I recently found a recipe on-line for making the gel stuff. If it tastes ok and seems to work I'll post the link.

Roadkill! (Hey! Somebody had to say it!)

Bugs if i dont get back before 8:30!

Originally posted by RonH
PowerBars and PowerBar gel.

At $1.39 each, PowerBar gel packs can get expensive. I recently found a recipe on-line for making the gel stuff. If it tastes ok and seems to work I'll post the link.
Forget that idea. It tastes like crap!

Try Little Deb individually wrapped Oatmeal creme cookies. They're great tasting, oatmeal is a complex carb so it takes a little longer to digest , spreading out the energy release, and the creme in the middle gives you an instant boost. Since they're individually wrapped, they're easy to carry and clean. Plus, and power bar won't like to hear this, they're cheap!I eat these and apples.:)

Check out the jams and breads/crackers in a big grocery store. Fix yourself some gourmet jelly snacks, just about the same energy, you probably take a multi vitamin anyway....so who cares...

Dude I heard on the internet that bagels are supposed to be really good while active I havent tried it yet and I'm not a good biker but the dude seemed to make sense.

Balance Bars.

Yup,
I had a bagel on my ride yesterday. It was an acident. The bathroom was busted at my usual stop, the next place down the road was Mr Bagel. Had a mocha iced coffee and a bagel. The iced coffee was like a milkshake, I like those a lot. Because the coffee was so rich, I passed on the cream cheese.

My favorites ... bananas, Powerbars, nuts, granola, and Snickers. The Snickers can get a little messy on those real hot days. I like the chocolate Powerbars. Just bit off a chunk and let it melt in mouth while I ride on.

Did you notice Powerbars are different now? I dont like them anymore.