mid ride blahs

[Bluetree]

CC - I'm in the same boat with you in a lot of ways... still trying to figure out my nutritional needs for sustained rides. I do not think I could ride with the amount that you're eating...I need way more calories than that. Here was my ride this morning...

First hour: warm up in aerobic zone, HR between 130-140.
Second hour: hill training, intervals, anerobic zone, HR reaching 190 at times
Third hour: flat speed, HR between 155-170
Final stats: 40 miles, some hills, 3 hours
(My HRM says I burned 1900 calories, but I'm not sure if that's accurate)

Dinner the night before:
Half of a large plate of marinara spaghetti + bread + 1 giant meatball + lots of water + dinner salad
Breakfast (1 hour before ride):
Second half of leftover pasta, 1 cup coffee, 20 oz. water
During the ride:
Three 24 oz bottles of Accelerade (one scoop, not two, in each bottle). I put one scoop in little snack baggies and add them when I stop to refill my water bottle. Plus, one bag of Clif Blocks, one block every 10-15 minutes, starting at the 1-1/2-hour mark. After the ride, a tall glass of chocolate milk.

I came off the bike feeling great and could've gone much longer, had it not been for work. I really like Accelerade's 4-1 carb/protein mix. I don't think my body likes too much of the sugary gel stuff, and I try to use it only to top off what I've already eaten. Hope this helps.