food question

[alpinerabbit]

I hope this isn't a stupid question. But does anyone have advice on how long before I ride I should eat in order to ensure optimal energy? I don't want to get halfway through my ride and be depleted of all energy, but I don't want to eat too close to my ride and get cramps like I do if I eat too close to a run.
(I've only been on three rides yet, but they were all between 14.5 and 16.5 miles if distance makes any difference)

It depends what you eat, and how long you go.... usually an hour, or a little over, can be done purely from your glycogen stores.

You want something that won't make your blood glucose spike and then plunge. Careful on white bread.
A good pre-ride breakfast includes a soft-boiled egg for me.

Check out the other nutrition forum threads for clues, lotsa good stuff out there and you don't have to buy the special items yet.

I usually have a gel or powerbar as an emergency measure if I or partner bonk.

You prolly won't ever feel as bad as running on a fulll stomach.

[TrekTheKaty]

I had to be careful about eating before a run--but never a problem on my bike. I prefer some protein before my 16 miles--scrambled eggs with hashbrowns, and orange juice--a smoothie when I get home. We usually start getting hungry after an hour on the bikes--so we pack energy bars, jelly belly's and gatorade. If it will be a longer ride, I will also bring hard-boiled eggs, cheese/sausage/crackers, and yogurt in my handlebar bag with an ice pack. I've had some tell me this is too much--but we love it. My sis takes off like a rocket after some cheese and sausage!

[Fujichants]

I also get cramps if I eat right before running (or swimming) but it is different with cycling. If I eat too much though, I do get a heavy feeling in my stomach.

I usually eat a mini bagel with peanut butter before my rides. Or oatmeal. Any ride less than 30 miles, and I usually don't eat. Unless I feel I need something, then I will have a Cliff shot block, or a Gu gel. For 50 miles or more, I like to have something more substantial, like a Cliff chocolate chip bar.

But yes, it really is all about trial and error. I remember taking a Gu halfway through my shorter rides, and now I feel I don't even need it.

[arielmoon]

My daily ride is between 15 and 25 miles at about 5 pm. A good breakfast and lunch seem to set me up so that a Clif bar or Clif Builder bar is perfect for pre-ride. I have yet to get hungry or need to eat during a ride.

[Eden]

It more depends on how hard you intend to ride more than how far. If you are going to be riding hard then eating several hours before you ride is best. Personally I prefer eating about 3 hours before a race, if I don't I will cramp. I don't find it necessary to worry as much about it if I'm just going for a casual ride.

Now what you eat - carbs or protein is a bit more determined by how long you are going to ride. A fast short ride think more carbs, longer rides throw in some protein for sustained energy.

[10yearstogether]

I'm new, so for now, I'm just going to have my typical pre-run breakfast of a breakfast bar (I prefer Kashi chewy bars or Larabars) and then bring along some Shot Blocks and Sport Beans to pop every 30 minutes or so.

[malkin]

The sorriest ride I ever rode was on the way home from a gigantic feed of enchiladas, beans, rice, etc.

It was only about 5 miles, but it was pure regret all the way.