Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - night before century...what do i eat?

doing the MS150 tomorrow to Cape Cod... what should i have for dinner? the standard high carb w/ some chicken sound good?

I like pasta, burritos, Indian food, pretty much anything.

But yeah I'd stick to something with lots of carbs either way.

heh -- my pre PBP meal was Indian takeaway. Chicken and rice is a standard pre ride dinner for me, with a pot of oatmeal left on the stove to be devoured in the morning.

Enjoy the Great Mass Getaway! I did it about two years ago, and it is a gorgeous little ride and a great starter century.

Beer.

I don't go with anything too heavy for a night-before meal, but I do usually go a little heavier on the carbs than I would if I wasn't doing a long ride the next day.

For me it's more about breakfast the day of the ride. If I don't eat a good sized breakfast, I'm no good past the 75 mile mark.

Beer.

i like your suggestion


I don't go with anything too heavy for a night-before meal, but I do usually go a little heavier on the carbs than I would if I wasn't doing a long ride the next day.

For me it's more about breakfast the day of the ride. If I don't eat a good sized breakfast, I'm no good past the 75 mile mark.

what would you recommend? i was thinking a protein (casein and whey combined) shake and some oatmeal...maybe throw a bananna in my jersey for mile 10

i also got 5 Gu's, some gatoraid to drink before.. couple packs of accellerade, and some "energy mix" which is a combination of peanuts, M&M's, and dried fruit...all the stuff i'm taking me should last the two days (100 tomorrow, 75 sunday)

doing the MS150 tomorrow to Cape Cod... what should i have for dinner? the standard high carb w/ some chicken sound good?

Yes.

Also have a good breakfast and not right before getting on the bike. Allow some time before riding.
Then continue to eat on the ride as you go. Small amounts once in a while is easier to digest than eating a lot at one time when riding.

Do NOT hit the all you can eat Mongolian BBQ place the night before a century and order everything extra spicy. That was a huge mistake. Trust me on this one. Please.

Short of that, pretty much anything is good. The suggestions above are all sound. Good luck!

I usually go for a small steak or a chicken breast and rice or potato. Then I down a sleeping pill and I'm out by 10.

I always have the extra spicy -- that's my normal diet ! I don't vary my diet the night before a ride. Unless I have a couple of hours between breakfast and the ride start, I go easy in the morning, otherwise it's my normal big bowl of bran cereal & milk.

I've ridden a number of the MS rides -- there will be lots to snack on at rest stops. I've never had to carry anything but water with me on those rides.

I've never had to carry anything but water with me on those rides.

good to know. i'm more paranoid of getting a flat.. i put pro race 3's on 2 days ago..got a flat before the 3rd mile. just got it fixed.. put on 8 hard paced miles and it felt ok..i got a tube in case, but it suggests 2 for those who are doing the longest route (me)

just pounded some ice cream, and too much of it...i'm going to pass out...wish me luck fellas

good to know. i'm more paranoid of getting a flat.. i put pro race 3's on 2 days ago..got a flat before the 3rd mile. just got it fixed.. put on 8 hard paced miles and it felt ok..i got a tube in case, but it suggests 2 for those who are doing the longest route (me)

just pounded some ice cream, and too much of it...i'm going to pass out...wish me luck fellas

I was too hasty in my response, I guess. I always have my seat-wedge with me with tools, spare tubes and a pump. I meant that I never carry any food/drink with me other than water.

Enjoy.

Do not have a lot to eat right after the ride either. Especially if if you are not used to rides of this distance. You might be hungry, but if you eat a lot you probably will throw up. Wait a while and eat something easy to digest.

Do not have a lot to eat right after the ride either. Especially if if you are not used to rides of this distance. You might be hungry, but if you eat a lot you probably will throw up. Wait a while and eat something easy to digest.

thanks for this tip, i wish i read it in time!!! :lol:


well i just got back...180 miles in the books this weekend. after the century i ended up showering with a water...then headed over to the beer truck to double-fist my first two before i headed to the food...hot dogs and burges for lunch (had two each) then a cajun bbq type for dinner. as far as pre and mid-ride go, i feel like i was adequately prepared. i actually had plenty of energy at the end for a sprint to the school!

best thing i did was so i wouldnt forget, anytime i saw someone drinking, i had some of my drink as well...

also, pace lines kick ass :p

I made the mistake on Saturday of NOT eating breakfast. Horrible Idea. I broke out of the peloton at 45 miles into the 63 mile ride (My buddy and I made it a true century following the organized ride) and completely ran out of gas at the 58 or so mile mark. Ended up dropping into the back of most of the riders I broke away from at the 45 mile mark. But, after a quick lunch, energy bar, 4 water bottles and a red bull, I was reenergized and felt great the last 42 miles I ended up riding.


Breakfast seemed to be a lot more important than what I ate the night before, but what do I know, that was my first century ride. I do feel fantastic though the day after, if it wasn't pouring rain I definitely could do another one today.