Joined
·
3,156 Posts
OK help me out here. I wonder if I'm not eating enough while riding on long rides.
I don't race anymore. I got back on the bike last year after many years off. Last year I rode about 3500 miles with a few centuries, but nothing too tough. I thought of last year as base miles. I'm 41 years old, 5 11 and 170 pounds (down from 185 a year ago.) This year I have set some harder goals. I would like to do Seattle to Portland in one day -- just over 200 miles. Even harder, I signed up for RAMROD Ride Around Mt Rainier in One Day; it's about 155 miles and 10000 feet. This year I've added hard hills and intervals. Oh, and I'm trying to lose another 10 pounds, so I'm not exactly stuffing my face.
I eat a couple Cliff bars and gels on rides under 70 miles, and this seems fine for most rides. I recently switched from water to Accelerade, and that's a good change for me. On centuries, I'll add a peanut butter sandwich or bagle or something. Sometimes I get home and I can be crazy hungry. I don't like big rest breaks on rides. Sometimes I feel bonked, so I want to make sure I eat right for these much harder efforts.
So, how much food do you guys take in on rides like this? What works for you? Do you stop for a big meal? I'm not fast, and I don't ever seem to have trouble digesting while riding. Should I just try eating a bunch more and see what happens?
I don't race anymore. I got back on the bike last year after many years off. Last year I rode about 3500 miles with a few centuries, but nothing too tough. I thought of last year as base miles. I'm 41 years old, 5 11 and 170 pounds (down from 185 a year ago.) This year I have set some harder goals. I would like to do Seattle to Portland in one day -- just over 200 miles. Even harder, I signed up for RAMROD Ride Around Mt Rainier in One Day; it's about 155 miles and 10000 feet. This year I've added hard hills and intervals. Oh, and I'm trying to lose another 10 pounds, so I'm not exactly stuffing my face.
I eat a couple Cliff bars and gels on rides under 70 miles, and this seems fine for most rides. I recently switched from water to Accelerade, and that's a good change for me. On centuries, I'll add a peanut butter sandwich or bagle or something. Sometimes I get home and I can be crazy hungry. I don't like big rest breaks on rides. Sometimes I feel bonked, so I want to make sure I eat right for these much harder efforts.
So, how much food do you guys take in on rides like this? What works for you? Do you stop for a big meal? I'm not fast, and I don't ever seem to have trouble digesting while riding. Should I just try eating a bunch more and see what happens?