I was 250 pounds in high school and I wrestled and lifted weights 2 hours per day, so pigging out became a way of life for me. Sometimes I pig out to the extreme after a ride, but not as much as I used to.
I have to agree with BikeWNC, it doesn't matter so much what you eat the night before, it's more important what you eat during the ride. I would never skip breakfast, however.
Not trying to sound eliteist, but a 50 mile ride doesn't require a lot of fueling, unless there is a ton of climbing.