Road Cycling - When should I refuel during a long ride?

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PaulBravey
08-27-04, 12:16 PM
I was planning on doing a metric century on Sunday. I've ridden a few 30-40 mile rides before and I've survived on water and gatorade and I've never touched the clif bar I always take with me, so I was wondering just when I should eat it to get the benefit it from it?

Paul

borg
08-27-04, 12:32 PM
On longer rides I tend to eat about every 75-90 minutes. My food of choice is pop-tarts....I have one pastry which has about 220 calories.
LordOpie
08-27-04, 12:39 PM
try to consume 200-300 calories per hour over small amounts.

ewitz2
08-27-04, 12:54 PM
For a metric century stick to what is working for you. You will only be spending an extra hour on the bike compared to your 40 mile ride. Bring the clif bar anyways but you won't need it.
DJ1960
08-27-04, 01:02 PM
What is wrong with a moccachino containing a double shoot of espresso, particularly if you deep a bisquoti in it? No mountain is to high after that...
55/Rad
08-27-04, 01:03 PM
Simple - before you need to. If you wait until you absolutely need it, you could be toast.

55/Rad
PaulBravey
08-27-04, 01:19 PM
What is wrong with a moccachino containing a double shoot of espresso, particularly if you deep a bisquoti in it? No mountain is to high after that...

There's a starbucks a block away from my apartment so that thought is tempting :D
fujibike
08-27-04, 02:14 PM
If it's an organized ride that you're going on there will likely be rest stops with food/beverages every 20 miles or so. It's a great opportunity to restoke the body's energy supply and take a few minutes to chat with fellow cyclers.
Markedoc
08-27-04, 02:18 PM
I'd probably have a bar probably 2 hours into the ride. Actually the Clif shots are awesome too - maybe a little quicker to digest. Mocha Mocha is amazing and has a little caffeine in it too!
NIKEliveSTRONG
08-27-04, 02:19 PM
If I am riding over 60 miles.. I will eat 1 Gel every 55 minutes. And after the first and 3rd gel I will have a Clif bar. :) Gets the job done. "60% of the time it works every time"
PaulBravey
08-27-04, 03:14 PM
It's just a solo ride 'cos the wife has gone back the UK for a couple of weeks so I've got lots of spare time on my hands. There's a town at the half way point though so restocking on supplies won't be a major problem. I'll look into getting a couple of gels for emergencies.
1oldRoadie
08-28-04, 05:12 PM
can you spell bonk?
Phatman
08-28-04, 06:52 PM
On rides in the sixty mile range, I eat a banana about an hourr and a half, then about 45 minutes later, I eat a bagel, or a powerbar.