General Cycling Discussion - Best Pre-cycling and Post-cycling food.

I have been trying to come up with new things for these, so I want to hear what you all eat for your pre and post foods.

For my pre-cycling food, I usually eat Cheerios with chocolate milk, and yogurt.
For my post-cycling food, I eat a carbohydrate, like pasta.

Also, how far do you all ride? I do a lot of cycling myself. I do half centuries 4-5 times a week.

Spaghetti and Pizza .. :beer:

Carbs before, proteins after.

Whatever is available in the fridge . . + water

. . whatever I didn't eat that is still in the fridge + water

Wings & beer?

Normally I begin my riding early in the morning so Pizza and Pasta doesn't work for me.
Bowl of cereal or bagel and cream cheese and a cup of coffee are best for me, for that hour.
Afterwards, if it's lunch time, I like a PB & J.

Depends on how much time I spend on the ride, plus intensity of the ride, and weather conditions like hot days.

For me, it starts with the previous day's dinner. I try not to eat too much and stay away from food that doesn't agree with me. Maybe you're different. But two big servings of spaghetti is not for me. Morning of the ride, smoothie and coffee. Then two capsules of Sport Leggs.

Right after the ride is when I take the rest of my Hammer drink, whatever's left in the water bottle. And depending on the intensity of the ride, I would make a smoothie. Mine has no carbs, no proteins but lots of anti oxidants because of my age. Then maybe an hour or so, I would eat a lunch whatever is left over.

Whatever makes you happy before and after. :)

I like pizza and beer after, but not before.

Nothing spicy before a ride.. I learned it the hard way.

One of my special cycling foods is non-fat yogurt mixed with a cereal, like special K or Kashi, with blueberries. I let it sit for a while and then it gets to a pudding-like consistency. It's then in a pretty stable form, doesn't spill, and travels well. I usually don't eat in the morning before I leave for a long ride, but this concoction is my first intake after the first 25 miles or so.

Before leaving: Isagenix shake with honey and banana added. Water or mango juice.
After: All you can eat buffet - Italian or Chinese or Indian! OK maybe more water or a beer too.

Pre ride I throw a bunch of fruit and some honey in the Vitamix. A few eggwhites too. Handful of spinach. Toss in a Nature Valley granola bar or a Clif bar. Sounds odd, tastes awesome. The Vitamix handles the granola bars surprisingly well, they're liquified by the time that thing gets done with them. Post ride is usually the same but without the bars, I just switch up which fruit I use so it doesn't get old.

vegetarian here, so I'd have to say carbs before and carbs after, it works for me.

One of my special cycling foods is non-fat yogurt mixed with a cereal, like special K or Kashi, with blueberries. I let it sit for a while and then it gets to a pudding-like consistency. It's then in a pretty stable form, doesn't spill, and travels well. I usually don't eat in the morning before I leave for a long ride, but this concoction is my first intake after the first 25 miles or so.

Oh my god I just puked in my mouth. I hope that stays cold where you are from!

Chicken before. Chicken after.

Pre-cycling: Pizza

Post-cycling: Beer

My main concern is enough water. I go out first thing in the morning - get out of bed, get dressed, and out I go. The only thing I'll consume is a tall glass of water; any solid food seems to upset my stomach. Weekday rides tend to be 18-20 miles, weekend rides 30-35 miles, and I'll drink water while riding, too. If I do eat anything on rides its hard candies or something similar, and its defiantely not enough to supply all the calories I'd need on a longer ride. Post-ride will be another glass of water, maybe some orange juice. Other than that its just normal meals & snacks.

I don't see any sense in special 'pre-ride' or 'post-ride' eating, or any of the special foods/drinks that are heavily advertised as 'wonder foods', but more concerned with getting enough water, and eating a regular diet that supplies enough calories & nutrients throughout the day.

I almost always have coffee before I go. If I spend a few more moments, a piece of toast and a fried egg. The longer I ride, the longer I wait to eat after I get back because eating right away seems to upset my stomach. But then I find that I crave meat products. It's usually just whatever we're having for lunch/dinner, or whatever is around.

SoulPuppy: Wings & Beer...should we be ride buddies?

Also, PB & J = the most disappointing food ever. I love all of those things, but put them together and I think, "Is this it?"

Before riding I try not to eat too much, I usually like a muesli (granola type) bar. When I get back I am usually really hungry, and I eat just about anything. I prefer a good balanced meal with some meat protein/fat, salad or vegetables, and some carbs.

Oh yea, and I drink pretty much exclusively water/tea/coffee, with the occasional beer or wine.

Muscle Milk before, Muscle Milk + cereal or something after.

When I do my long commute for a class (18 miles to, an hour break, 25 miles back) I eat a cup of bran flakes in milk before, a bunch of home-made cookies and milk upon arrival.

When I get back I take in about 300 calories every half hour or so until I hit 1000 calories. Usually that means something like a chocolate milk, an egg white omelet, and some kind of fruit, maybe a potato. If the weather is warm I eat a lot of Jell-O (theoretically it helps the joints).

I am more of a maintenance and recovery eater than a carb-loader.