Eat while riding?

[aicabsolut]

Ok, so in theory a body can burn off around 250 calories an hour. Yes, it is different for different people, but you start there.

What was your nutrition going into the ride? When was the last time you ate? How many calories did you consume?

You had water, but did you have a sports drink too? You can substitute calories that way as well.

And the key to your calories is that you also need carbs with those calories.

For my long distance rides I try to consume approximately 30-60 carbs per hour. That can be in the form of gels, food, sports drink, etc. Just however I want to take it in.

I bet if you just ate a gel or two on your ride and drank some sports drink, you would be fine. I'm not sure you really need to start eating full "meals" on the bike for such a short distance.

But again, take in your calories anyway you want to.

I know on the bike I eat... Combos, Luna Bars, Uncrustables, Gels, and PB Crackers.

I thought the theory was that a body can ABSORB about 250-300 cals/hr. It is quite easy to BURN much much more than that. At race pace, I can burn 750 cals/hr according to my Polar. At a more relaxed pace but not recovery pace, I'd be in the 500 cal/hr range. So, you're going to be working with a deficit even if you do eat during the ride, but your pre-ride meal will get you somewhere on shorter rides. Also affecting motor skills and muscle cramping are electrolytes. For a ride of 50 miles, I will generally eat about 600 calories mostly from carbs on the bike, plus lots of water and electrolytes. For a 30 mile ride, I'd be fine with about 200. Of course, terrain and pace play a big part.

I do tend to eat more on the bike than most of my training buddies, but I feel that I really need it. Plus, I have a hard time maintaining weight when I'm training a lot, and I'll still finish a ride with a huge calorie deficit.

I prefer Clif bloks for most of my food. Sometimes Clif bars on longer rides, but it can be hard to eat "real" food sometimes. I tend to race with a Clif electrolyte drink instead, and I may add that to my usual food consumption in the summer, because I have a problem with cramping when it gets really hot.

[KSH]

I thought the theory was that a body can ABSORB about 250-300 cals/hr.

Yep, you are right. You did a better job of explaining it.

[Spec&TrekGirl]

Thanks for all the advice! This forum is great.

I think the first thing I need to do is bring a sports drink/electrolyte replacement (which I now remember has done a great job of keeping me feeling good on hiking and backpacking in the desert). I like the idea of Gu too because it sounds like it would be easy to digest. I've always been a little hesitant to eat while exercising because my stomach doesn't deal well with eating and exercising soon after. I'll have to do a little experimenting with Gu, energy bars, and some of the other food suggested here to see what works for me and what I like.

Stopping for a meal in the middle of the ride sounds like fun when I have several hours so I can relax for a while after lunch before heading back.

I took another similar and slightly longer ride yesterday with an energy bar that I ate half of at 45 minutes and finished it about half an hour later. My stomach was a little upset when I got on the bike right after eating, so I took it pretty easy for about 10 minutes after each time I ate. Felt much better at the end of the ride, even with a serious headwind.