How much to drink the night before a ride?

[DeniseGoldberg]

I need to eat enough too, before the ride. I'm kind of surprised at how hungry I am during and after these rides.

Eating before your ride is a start - but if the ride is more than a short one you should probably be eating during your ride too. If you're having energy problems, try food and/or an energy drink while you ride. I always carry at least one energy bar with me - even on short rides - just in case. And if I'm planning a longer ride I will either have extra food with me or plan to stop to pick up a snack.

[shadon]

I had oatmeal and a banana for breakfast, and then ate a cliff bar right before we set off, with a good glug or three of vitamin "energy" water and drank throughout the ride. When we got to Mill Valley I inhaled a big glass of orange juice and wolfed down a big piece of quiche.. Then ate a big lunch when I got home.

I like this eating thing! But I gotta get better at eating enough before I set out. So much learn...but it's fun.

[Trekhawk]

I had oatmeal and a banana for breakfast, and then ate a cliff bar right before we set off, with a good glug or three of vitamin "energy" water and drank throughout the ride. When we got to Mill Valley I inhaled a big glass of orange juice and wolfed down a big piece of quiche.. Then ate a big lunch when I got home.
I like this eating thing! But I gotta get better at eating enough before I set out. So much learn...but it's fun.

Ooohh after reading this I suddenly feel very hungry. Is it Tea Time yet?

[fixedgeargirl]

I've had a lot of success making sure I get protein and fat into me before a long ride, along with some complex carbs. This usually takes the form of breakfast taco (one scrambled egg, some grated cheese, rolled up in a tortilla). One of these, a bar (usually Clif or Luna) and two goo packs are what I require to keep up with the club on hilly 50-60 mile rides at approx. 16mph average. A recovery drink at the end, like Endurox, takes care of the ravishing munchies post-ride. That way, I don't devour an entire bag of tortilla chips .

Well, that's my long-ish ride diet, though after reading a lot of posts here, I am beginning to think I am a bit of a metabolic freak . Useful are the general ideas of protein pre-ride, no skimping on eating during the ride, and a smart balance of protein and carbs during that important 30 min. post-ride window.