So I was out on the trail today and I had a tough time of it - felt weak and my energy really was lagging. I hadn't experienced this in the past, so I thought maybe it was my energy intake prior to takeoff. What do y'all eat before riding and when? Do you have a specific eating plan if you know you're goin for a ride? (FWIW - I'm not in all that good a shape [sorta' why I'm riding], and I ride an intermediate trail for about 2 hours with a sprinkling of 5 minute breaks throughout).

cookies and milk usually.

Wouldnt u be better off going with sumthin like a bannana?

those are good too

I don't eat right before a ride.

a good 20 mins b4 a ride

It's just not about eating, it's also about staying hydrated. At least an hour and a half before doing any exercise, I drink as much water as I can, at least 4 glasses. To me it doesn't really matter what I eat - calories are calories, and I usually eat like an hour before going out

hydration could have been an issue - although I did drink ~80oz in the 2 hours I was out there. I had a couple of glasses of ice coffe an hour or so before I went (motivation), so that coulda contributed. It was hot and humid as hell too. It's just the energy deficiency I was concerned about. That hasn't happend before.

Egg and coffee for me.....

Energy bar or banana one hour before the ride. Powerbar jel pack just before takeoff and every 1/2 hour during the ride to keep blood sugar high.

2 banana + 5-6 medium sized strawberries + handfull of blueberries + orange juice smoothie

You most likelly had no energy, because you were tired after watching the Red Sox's drop 3 games to the Tigers

It's more important what you eat the evening BEFORE your ride than what you eat the morning of your ride. That said, I try to get in a lean breakfast on the morning of a ride. I also bring energy bars with me on the ride.

... Brad

Usually 8 - 10 beers the night before. The morning of the ride would be water with Advil to kill the headache followed by a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich with a Gatorade. Ride for 4 hours, go home and sleep.

OJ (or other fruit juice) with banana 1 hour prior. Gel just before and every hour during. Gel after.

Depends on what kind of riding I'm doing. I usually don't pay that close attention unless it's a race day or a few days before. However, I never ride without some sort of food bar (I like the South Beach Diet bars as they don't have a lot of simple sugars and have a good amount of protein), and at least one gel. Gels are great for an immediate boost, and if you don't want to crash (from sugar, I'm not saying you won't fall off your bike) use something that has long-chain sugars, like the Hammer products.

Pasta bowl full of cereal, and cup of coffee

I ate breakfast (milk and cereal), got on my bike, rode 5 miles in 95 farenheit heat, stopped for a second to take a drink of water, and randomly hurled. A lot.
I guess milk is a bad idea in the heat. My breakfast before my morning ride tomorrow will probably be a banana or toast.

an 1/8 of mushrooms.

oh and a snickers marathon bar..mmmm.. and redbull, lots of aqua.

Something with protein in it an hour or two before the ride. Carbs and small amounts of protein before leaving and during.

For example, if I'm doing a long ride on a weekend, I'll have a big breakfast, then a sandwich as I'm getting ready, and pack a couple granola bars. That will usually be good for 3-4 hour rides.

I'm not going to say pee pee.

Wow! All of that! No wonder you need a nap!

Your not going far on that breakfast craver meal...

I eat a few bannanas, 4 waffels (egos), a bagel... cliff bar before I start or while I'm taking off... energy bars for the rest of the trip along with a gatorade filled camlebak.