I've been riding on and off for about 25 years, but most of my rides have been morning rides. Before I ride I usually either eat
- nothing
or
- a couple of granola bars

I've had some times when I felt like I should of had more energy, but other than that, no real problems.

Now I'm starting to ride twice a week after work. The rides are approx. 6:30 - 8:30 at a pace that is pushing it pretty good for me. I'm getting a very uncomfortable feeling throughout the ride however and I have to assume it's because of what/when I'm eating. I feel like I have a stomach full of gas, but no matter how much I burp, I can't get rid of it.

Before the first ride I had 3 medium bananas and a blueberry muffin. The next time I tried 2 bananas and 2 dry blueberry bagels. Both times I ate between 4:30 and 5:00. Same result both rides.

I usually eat lunch between 11:30 and Noon, and I'm pretty sure I can't go until 8:30 without eating anything, so I need to eat something. I'm definately going to try to eat a bigger lunch on ride days.

But what am I doing wrong, too much? not enough? too early? too late? wrong choices of food? something else? Thoughts, suggestion?

Thanks

If I were you I'd experiment with different foods. Personally I don't eat anything special before I ride, I just eat as I usually would. I can't see that it is down to when ​you are eating, because a couple of hours before you ride sounds fine.

Try something with less fiber.

Try eating less. Keep trying different things until you find what works. My unvarying routine: 2.5 hrs. before riding, I eat a rounded 1/2 c. of mixed M&Ms, raisins, and lightly salted peanuts. 1.5 hrs. before the ride, I drink 15g of whey protein in water. Right before, I drink some water. For the ride, I pack a bottle of 150 cal./bottle sports drink. That's all I need for 2 hours. After the ride, I have a recovery drink with carbs and another 15g whey, and then a light dinner that's high in carbs. Right before bed, I'll have another 15g whey. I don't eat meat. Unless you're having energy problems on the ride, I don't think a bigger lunch will be that helpful, unless of course you're also having trouble with too much weight loss.

I'd KILL for that problem. Seriously. Just give me a name.

No, my thought was that I was eating more than I needed too knowing it was all I was getting that night for dinner (I'm an early riser, early to bed and can't eat after finishing a ride at 8:30) and maybe eating more at lunch would subconsciously allow me to eat less before the ride.

Thanks all for the advice, after reading it I'm thinking it's not the timing of when I'm eating, and I'll just experiment with amount and what I eat until something works.

Bananas will do that to you on exertion. I could belch to raise the dead after eating bananas and riding, which is really unhandy riding by cemetaries. I do a protein green food meal replacement 10-15 min. before rides, and it seems to sit pretty well, and nutrient dense so to speak.

if i ate that much before a ride, i'm pretty sure i'd feel uncomfortable too.