How do I avoid getting a stitch but still eat?
 

Hi, I do a lot of medium to long rides and need to eat so I can replace my energy, but today I was out and got a really nasty stitch.
I've had a look around and as I far as I understand it, stitches are caused by eating too close to exercise.
So, er, what do I do? Because I really need food when I'm out.

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Get some breakfast bars from you grocery store. Eat one every 45 minute or when you want.

Peanut butter and jam sandwiches work for me.

You don't need to eat before you start riding. Just eat 250 Cals/hr while riding if the ride is over 2-3 hrs. If you still get a stitch/cramp it's probably not from the food.

Some people can get an upset stomach while eating and riding at first but the body adapts.

dont eat a giant meal before you go riding. I eat a meal about 2-3 hours before a ride, then a banana about 10 minutes before a ride. after that I'm good for at least 90 minutes.

Never heard of a side stitch being related to eating. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Side_stitch

The side stitches I get are when I don't get enough fluids and electrolytes, compounded with intense riding that makes me breathe very fast.
Some foods give me abdominal cramps (G2 sports drink in particular) but that's more the gut innards and not the breathing muscles.

Don't drink the G2 stuff, stick with the regular Gatorade.
Eat bars or gels that agree with your system.
I prefer Gu gels and Hammer bars.

Side stitch is from a lack of training. Ride more. You could also try either not eating before the ride, or eating no less than 2 hours before the ride. You could also try doing some ab work. Chest stitch is from extended periods of heavy breathing. Sometimes that is hydration related, but more usually just lack of extended hard climbing or long speed intervals. Basically, don't worry about it, just ride more.

I never eat a meal on purpose, just normal stuff. In this case breakfast. But I was a good two hours into my ride before I got a stitch - I assumed it was the apple I ate whilst saddled that caused it.
I'll stay away from G2 - thanks for the tip.
Do you guys eat while riding or do you get off and rest? Because I really can't stand stopping once I'm going, it really ruins my groove as it were.

Agree. I don't like stopping and only stop when I have to. I bring things in my jersey pockets that are easy to eat on the bike; bananas, gels, bars, fig newtons, etc. If it's a really long ride I might make a quick stop at a convenience store to pick up something to eat and refill bottles, but I get back on the bike and consume the stuff on the go. You really only need 100-150 cal per half hour on rides over 1.5 hrs so I don't bring much. My typical rides are 1.5 to 2.5 hrs and I put 100 cal of fruit juice + water in each bottle and bring a banana or gel.

Yes, most folks eat on the bike. Banana in the jersey pocket is a common sight, but put the peel back in the pocket not on the road. Clif bars are pretty good. Just open the package of any bars you're going to put in your pockets so they'll be easy to get at. Don't eat much at any one time - say 1/4 Clif bar/15 minutes or 1/2 bagel/1/2 hour. On social rides, we usually stop about every 30 miles for at least a pee, maybe a coffee or something. On event rides, I try to stop about every 50 miles, just a quick pee, water, and plunder stop. Many people use gels. Hammer Gel in a squeeze bottle in the jersey pocket is relatively economical, no packaging, and works for almost everyone.

bike friendly food may include banana, small box of raisins or chocolate covered raisins and peanut butter crackers

Nibbling while you ride provides a more steady stream of nutrients with less digestive upset.

And bento bags are a great tool to assist with nibbling.

Put oatmeal raisin cookies, granola bars, salted almonds, etc. into the bento bag ... and have a bite every 15 minutes or so.

on longer rides I need to do this better, there's a long trail I used to do and I only stopped and ate after22-25 miles which for me is about 1.5 hrs, way too long to go without nutrifying. now my routines include stops at just under an hour which is still too long even if I have a meal an hour or two before the ride and then a banana and raisins before the ride.

good thread btw

I used to work with a guy who said he would make PB&J sandwiches and cut them into quarters and eat one on regular intervals. I think he stopped that tho and switched to some kind of goo.

I do have something like this, but it carries my cell phones and my deceased Aunt's rosary beads that were personally handled and bless by the former Pope. I think on a couple rides I snuck a bag of chocolate covered raisins in there too. very convenient!
http://www.wayfair.com/Timbuk2-Goody...&device=c&PiID[]=9660722&gclid=CMfCu9Pw7bgCFdCG4godPBwAPQ

I think it can be seen in this crummy pic

Toffee covered peanuts are really good. We try to always have some with us when we tour. Snickers bars are good bike food too, and available almost everywhere, but they don't do well in the jersey pocket.

My longer rides aren't usually longer than 40 miles(just started biking regularly this year), and I usually eat a good size breakfast a couple hours beforehand so I never have a hungry sensation on the bike. However, I do ensure I always have a small bag of trail mix in my handlebar bag just in case. On the rare occasion I plan on riding further (50+ once), I brought along a couple granola bars, but didn't touch them until the 35 mile mark. Again, it's better to have something just in case than to be stuck in the middle of nowhere, hungry as a bear, and not have any kind of munchies.