How do y'all fuel for long rides?

[kelownagirl]

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I did a search and couldn't find what I was looking for.

My question is related to what you eat before and after, not during per sae (I've got that part down). Do you eat a few more calories the day or two before hand or do you wait until afterwards?

Yesterday I did a 37 mile 3000 foot altitude gain ride and for some reason was shocked to see that I burned more calories than when I did my half marathon. I guess I never really thought about fueling for rides - I just rode (never had a HRM when I trained for my centurys 10 years ago -and I sometimes think that's the way to do it! ). But as I'm going to be riding hilly rides more often than I will run half marathons, I need to start figuring out how to avoid eating too much or too little. Any suggestions are welcome.

Today I rode 40 miles with 2600' climbing in 2-1/2 hours on a small bowl of plain yogurt. I was up late partying and didn't sleep well so I was a tad hungover and didn't feel like eating. I'm pretty sure this is a what-not-to-do post though...

Seriously tho, you should eat a little if you're going to ride over an hour but you can't absorb more than about 300 calories per hour so there's no use in eating more than that. I like shot blox, your miles may vary.

[Ana]

I feel weird eating on my bike. I don't feel like I have that much control over my bike when I let go with one hand...and inclines and declines make me even more nervous. Any tips on eating? How do you eat the banana while riding???

[KnottedYet]

I feel weird eating on my bike. I don't feel like I have that much control over my bike when I let go with one hand...and inclines and declines make me even more nervous. Any tips on eating? How do you eat the banana while riding???

1. Stop bike.
2. Admire scenery.
3. Eat.
4. Wave cheerily at passing bikes.

I'll happily drink while riding, but I prefer to stop while eating.

[salsabike]

1. Stop bike.
2. Admire scenery.
3. Eat.
4. Wave cheerily at passing bikes.

I love this! I don't eat on my bike unless I have some reason to be in a serious hurry. On long rides, that has not been an issue, since I am one who likes to stop and pee every 15 miles or so, anyway.

Back to the OP's question---people's food needs seem to vary widely. I eat a bowl of instant oatmeal. On a long, like 60 mile ride, I'll probably have over the course of the whole ride 1 1/2 to 2 luna bars, and that's it for me. Other people do this totally different, so some experimentation on your part will probably have to happen for you to know what works best for you.

[Ana]

1. Stop bike.
2. Admire scenery.
3. Eat.
4. Wave cheerily at passing bikes.

I'll happily drink while riding, but I prefer to stop while eating.

I think if I eat something I should stop I don't usually stop to use the restroom since my rides do not exceed 20 miles