Don't overdo the pre-ride carbo loading or the post-ride recovery meals (or the in-ride munching). Eat what you need to keep going but unless you're racing, you may not need as much as you're eating. Your body will tap into the fat during a long ride, but eat too much and you'll just be burning the carbs you keep filling yourself with.
The calories you burn can be overcome and you can convince yourself you "deserve" the extra food because of the ride. I used to treat myself to a couple pints of Ben & Jerry's because of how many calories I burnt and felt justified. But that's why I'm still 10 pounds over where I want to be.
Now, I just have to get everyone at work to stop bringing in M & M's. Handiwork of the devil. Damn those little bits of chocolaty goodness!
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If ignorance is bliss, shouldn't you be happy?