Since we are NOT talking about going out and riding centuries (100 milers) ...



For your rides, and other rides under a couple hours, you don't need to eat anything. Ignore all these with their enormous breakfast suggestions. Your stomach doesn't have to deal with food. I would suggest a glass of fruit juice or something like that just for a few calories and, more importantly, hydration.

I used to commute to work a day or two a week ... my ride was 35 km and took me a little under 1.5 hours. I drank a glass of orange or apple juice before I rode, I had a large bottle of water on board (and would drink about half of it ... 500 ml), and when I got there I'd have a couple pieces of toast. Anything more than that was unnecessary.


However, one additional suggestion ... if you are going to follow my advice, bring a couple granola bars or oatmeal raisin cookies or something with you ... especially as your rides get longer. You won't be burning 800-1000 calories per hour as someone else suggested, 500-600 calories per hour is a lot more realistic, but if you feel quite hungry at the end of the first hour of riding, a granola bar or cookie can keep you going for a bit longer.