Eat while riding?

[KnottedYet]

Generally every half hour or so. But everyone is different. Since you already know you hit the wall around 20 miles, maybe try eating every 10 miles? (eat before you bonk, much better than eating as you bonk or after you bonk)

Edit to add: generally *I* eat every half hour or so. I didn't mean to imply that everyone eats every half hour or so.

[Red Rock]

My solution to food while riding has been this...it is just an idea as to what combo might work for you...

I have been eating a clif shot before I leave the house. Before that I have usually eaten a good breakfast and perhaps a midmorning snack, if needed. On my bike I have a cytomax drink mix in one water bottle and pur water in the other. During the ride, I will go back and forth between them as needed. From what I have read and learned from everyone, is to go back and forth between each. Then if I am really hungy, this varies on my ride length and other factors-how hungry I have been -I will have some clif bar at a stop along the way.

My usual rides have been around 30 miles. I am sure I refill on water when I come home and I am sure I eat something when home to refuel.

Clif bars and the like work for me, there are many brands of bars out there so find what works for you.

happy riding.

Red Rock

[breezy]

Keep in mind that since this was a much longer ride than normal for you, part of your exhaustion is likely just that, exhaustion. Your eating and drinking provides only so much. Even if I eat every 20 minutes I can't ride 100 miles at once if I haven't trained for it. You need to work up your distance and experiment on your water and calorie intake while doing so. Everyone is different.

[Running Mommy]

If you have eaten a good breakfast (or meal if you ride later) within a few hours of riding you should be good for an hour before you need calories. After that you need to start consuming some calories every 20-30 minutes.
I take along Clif Luna Moons on rides under 50 miles. On rides over 50 I also take along a single serve pack of pringles and a small bag of beef jerkey.
I also use a custom blended electrolyte drink from a company called Infinit Nutrition. You can find them online. But any electrolyte/energy drink of your choice will do.
But as said, part of your bonk likely came from lack of saddle time. Once you get a few more base miles in your legs the distance will come a bit easier.