tntom

You guys talk about eating when you ride That is something I have never done. Teach me. And let's don't get of on this pie thing And while we are at it just what is this pie thing all about?. Really how often do you eat something?

howsteepisit

I usually eat something on any ride over 50 miles. Since I have read that you can only process 250-300 calories per hour while riding, I limit my on-bike food to fruit (banana or apple) or pop tarts. Take small bites. Stop to open your food. Have some water. Don't try to hurry eating on the bike

cyclinfool

I never really thought about it before this year, I usually go 2 hours between breaks, have two 100 calorie nutrition bars and some sports drink becuase thats what my stomach could tolerate, on the bike I am drinking only water. I am experimenting with some different things now and may report my findings later after putting them to the test.

doctor j

I carry oats & honey granola bars, honey in packets, jerky, dried apricots, and some spare Gatorade powder assuming I can find water to mix up a batch of Gatorade in my water bottles. I probably eat and drink more than my body can process, but fuel and fluids gives me the endurance for the miles. Generally, I get off the bike to eat but not to drink. I don't have any particular increment of time or distance that I use for eating. If pressed, I'd say every 15 to 20 miles or so depending on head winds and/or climbing. Without fuel and fluids, you'll start to lose power, and if you go far enough without eating and drinking, you'll bonk.

RockyMtnMerlin

I eat something (Hammer Gel and/or Power Bar) on any ride over 90 minutes. If I am riding early in the morning I consume (better word than eat in this case) Hammer Gel on any ride over 60 minutes. I'm a hungry guy, so hungry that I don't even stop to eat them. Eat on the fly.

Red Rider

I think the pie is a reward, but unless I ride 60+ miles, I don't eat pie.

I don't eat anything but breakfast unless the ride is 50+ miles. Then it's Gu, Cytomax, Shot Bloks, banana, dates...whatever I bring. I also take money so I can buy more water or food, if necessary.

I drink a lot of water -- 2 bottles in 30 miles, more in summer. I find I crave salt after long rides in the summer, no matter what I've eaten. That may be poor electrolyte replacement, or purely a quirk, I haven't decided.

lighthorse

I don't worry about eating unless the ride is over 60 miles. It all depends on how long it takes you to deplete your stores of energy. I ride in the morning after having eaten a large breakfast so I can easily do 50-60 miles without replenishing energy.

twobikes

Perhaps this varies with individual conditioning. I find I can manage up to 30 miles without eating something. But, the last 10 miles on a 40 mile ride I often do are difficult. I have been riding the first 20 miles with only water. At 20 miles I stop at a little grocery store. They do not have any "healthy" food. I tried two salted nut rolls for the trip home. The last time I tried three Hershey bars with almonds and ate one every 7 miles. That worked pretty well. I still lost weight in the next couple of days. I need some better ways of carrying bananas and fig bars on my bike.

oilman_15106

Rode up one of the toughest hills in our area with a young buck that ate a bananna while climbing the hill! To add insult to injury he turned around and came back down to ride the thing twice. Later he told us he finished 5th in a national team 24hr Mt. bike race and he rode solo against teams.

On a longer ride, 60 miles, I try to eat or do a gel pack every 20 miles. If the engine gets drained it is hard to get it started again.

Has anyone else had a problem with BF logging you off automatically?

Hermes

I like the South Beach bars which contain protein - I have food allergies and these agree with me and are proven. I eat one about each hour and like to eat a piece of one 1/2 hour before the end of the ride. I drink Heed during the ride. I drink a chocolate milk at the end. I try not to eat for a while after the chocolate milk.

Most of my riding, I would not have to eat during the ride and have enough breakfast and stored glycogen. I eat and drink based upon the riding conditions (pace, heat and level of effort) and to set up a good recovery.

LynnH

I like the Luna Bars, usually 1/4 or a 1/3 of a bar at a time, and that is pretty regularly. Nuts pack well and I have also just started taking Juice Plus thins, they are wafers that pack very well. Lots of water and Gatorade if I am going very far.

maddmaxx 

Although I may eat during a ride, I find it very important to manage what I eat before I ride. The biggest problem is early morning rides in the heat of the summer. Eat too much, or the wrong thing and the blood supply is occupied in the digestive system. Eat too little or the wrong thing and its very easy to bonk. Surprisingly, a peanut butter sandwich seems to do it for me. During the ride an energy bar about covers it.

Artkansas 

On my last long ride, the Joe Weber Arky 100, I ate a PB & J sandwich, Grandmas Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Two Bananas and about 24 oz of Accelerade. I started the day with oatmeal and raisins and a banana before I left to drive to the starting line.

I cut the PB & J in quarters and ate one quarter before the ride to get started. Then I ate the rest of the food in small portions throughout the ride. It seemed that the accelerade and the cookies gave me the biggest lift. PB & J gave a longer slower lift. The cookies were fun because since I was on a recumbent I could eat a bite of cookie and put it in my lap and then eat another bite maybe a mile down the road. I did have to stop to take a gulp of accelerade, because I could not open and close the water bottle with one hand. Its usually nice to rest, but since I had to make time, I just ate while riding. I had a camelbak so I hydrated all day long.

I had pie later in celebration of my completing the ride.

mandovoodoo

We like stopping and really getting light lunches or late breakfasts. Never hurts riding any, just slower for an hour.

wobblyoldgeezer

Steak and Kidney pie in the right jersey pocket, puncture kit and pump in the middle one, bag of chips in the left. Guinness in the front bottle, barbecue sauce (extra chillis) in the back one. I learned this from Mario Cippolini

stonecrd

I very rarely ride more than 4 hours. But typical weekend 4 hour ride would include:

Breakfast - 1/2 bagel, 2tsp cream cheese = 170c
2x Gels during ride = 200c
48oz of gatorade/water mix = 200c
24g of Protein post ride shake = 120c

Total = ~700 calories which seems to be enough for me

Daily 20mi ride is an apple before I go and 24oz of gatorade/water mix

berts

depends on ride distance and intensity.
Water intake only on rides up to one hour, ca 20 miles
Liquid intake including grape sugar and homemade honey gel on rides 1-2 hours
Rides over 2 hours 50 miles and up I take dates, halva, fruit occassionally.
High energy homemade gels (usually honey based) are preferred on high intensity training rides - faster to use and digest.

knotty

I agree with all the answers but the bottom line is how hard and long you ride and your own body. You'll have to find out mostly by personal experience.

Like mentioned, for up to 50-60 miles, generally a good, high carb breakfast and a sports drink along the way will do for me.

But, if I'm planning jamming hills and anaerobic intervals, then I take in about 350+ calories per hour. So, you will find out as you ride according to your riding style.

knotty

stapfam

Depends on the ride- but a Metric and a good breakfast beforehabd and I carry a Flapjack- or dried fruit with me. 100 miler and the breakfast again and plenty of snacks- cereal bars- slices of Cake- dried fruit and a bit of cheese for protein.

Now out for a gentle ride and any ride over 25 miles will take in a coffee and possibly pie- or a cake -or gateaux- light breakfast or any thing else I fancy on the menu. Theres no rush so there is always time to sit down and look at the bike while drinking the capuchino. And If the "Snack" was large enough- Then extra miles to be done to wear off the weight gain.

stapfam

Not the recognised forum pie- but one of the best. Now in the UK- Plain basic food is disappearing but one fantastic pie to find in the better cafes- Is Steak and Ale pie. The gravy from this is fantastic.

cc_rider

I make a stop every 10 to 15 miles, usually where there are working toilets or where I can refill my water bottle. I take a few bites of a Powerbar or granola bar. If I'm riding at lunch time, I might stop for a light lunch.

n4zou

From a tour last year.



Look at the oatmeal cookies in the mesh pocket at the top of the backpack. Just reach back and grab a cookie!