Nutrition during a workout

[Veronica]

Don't assume that you'll need something after an hour. Everybody is different.

I know I can do up to about two hours outside with nothing more than my Gatorade/water mix. It's about a 50/50 mix. So If I'm going for a longer ride I start eating for sure by the 90 minute mark. I should eat sooner, but I usually don't want to. I always have a little something with me in my bag -'cause you never know- no matter how long the ride is.

I never have more than my Gatorade/water mix when I'm riding the trainer, even when I'm doing back to back DVDs and doing 2+ hours.

My point is - you'll have to figure out your timing is and what your body likes to eat. There were lots of people cringing when I said Gatorade. And you should see their faces when I tell them I mix Gatorade and Sustain when I'm doing a 4+ hour ride.

V.

[kelownagirl]

I don't eat anything on a ride less than 3 hours, unless I didn't have much for my last meal. I only drink water - don't like gatorade - unless it's really hot (35+) and I'm not feeling strong. If I eat, it's a few shotblox or a granola bar or power bar with more water. Probably 100-150 calories max). Once in awhile I'll have a carton of chocolate milk if I happen upon a store. Food doesn't feel good in my tummy on most rides. Everyone is different....

[KnottedYet]

Yeah, experimentation is key. Err on the safe side (bring extra food, even if you don't eat it) until you know what your body likes.

I'd likely pass out if I rode for 2 or 3 hrs without sugar. Trek has seen me in a hypoglycemic mess a few times, and those were just doing normal activity. (I think I might've been scary...) I bring *lots* of food even on little bike rides.

[Starfish]

And then, last year, I was having repeated digestive issues on long rides, and thought it was all about WHAT I was eating. Turned out, I was just taking in too many calories. Now I am much more careful about eating the right amount for me, and being pretty disciplined in doing little amounts very regularly to get the optimal amount for me.

[Andrea]

How hard you're riding has a lot to do with calorie needs, too. In the summer, when I race, I'll try to eat a gel every 30-40 minutes and drink a weak mix of gatorade & extra salt in between gels. Usually I'll put away a bottle of fluid every 45 min-1 hr. When I'm riding easy in the winter time, I may drink a bottle of weak gatorade over the space of 2 hours and it sustains me just fine.