Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - 48 hours before the start of the event, what do you eat for the next two days?

Do you change your diet the last two days before an event? I eat a carb heavy diet of pasta/rice with some lean meat & veggies and have never felt the need to change what I eat.

Am I missing something?

There was a theory of glycogen depletion/carb loading. That worked in the lab, but less well in the real world. Riders now seem to have opted for reduced stress and a normal diet. I do a vegetarian version of what you do, simply because that is my normal diet. I do increase the proportion of carbs a little. The day before, I drink two bottles of sports drink, sipping through the day. I don't know how much or if that helps, but it doesn't hurt.

My events tend to be long rides which have early starts. For 2 days before the event, I get up at the same time I will for my event, and go to bed very early to still get a full night's sleep. I think that helps more than anything.

On the day before the event I used to fixed a big bowl - a really big bowl of rice, cheese and vegetables. (boiled rice and frozen vegetables with cheese added)

On the drive to the event, (the day before) I would snack from this bowl until finished. I didn't much care about really strict diet efforts, but I do believe in dribbling in a some kind of complex carb the day before is a help...... (1000 kCal or more)

There was a theory of glycogen depletion/carb loading. That worked in the lab, but less well in the real world. Riders now seem to have opted for reduced stress and a normal diet. I do a vegetarian version of what you do, simply because that is my normal diet. I do increase the proportion of carbs a little. The day before, I drink two bottles of sports drink, sipping through the day. I don't know how much or if that helps, but it doesn't hurt.

My events tend to be long rides which have early starts. For 2 days before the event, I get up at the same time I will for my event, and go to bed very early to still get a full night's sleep. I think that helps more than anything.

Thanks for the reassurance. I'll add a bowl of freshly made soup for lunch the day before, that and a bottle of sports drink should increase my hydration. I'll have a substantial breakfast two hours before the start of the ride.

I'll need to awake at 3am and drive three hours to the event. I have been retiring early these last few days. Awaking at 3am, 24 hours in advance of the event, is a good idea.

Michael

I eat the same things I usually do, just more of it. ;) Have a great ride!

Have a great ride!

Thanks!

I try to avoid things that might cause problems. So not a good time to eat a bunch of jalapenos or chili or stuff like that.

Hi

I just eat my normal meals .... gave up on carb loading a while back. Have fun on the ride. What are you doing?

Andrew