Extra fuel for extra hot days?

[grey]

We had a rider turn back yesterday because she just didn't think she was going to make it - this was in the first three miles of a 30 mile ride. I noticed a number of the rest of our group had difficulty getting going also. I don't know what their routines are exactly (I do know they all eat 90 minutes before a ride though), but I can tell you mine, and how I felt - and I felt so "off" that I wasn't sure I wanted to ride (that's not me! I want to ride ALL THE TIME!).

Usually, I get up at 5:30, have a couple of eggs and a slice of toast, and probably a fresh fruit smoothie before a 7am ride. Yesterday I didn't want all of that, all I had was the smoothie. On the ride, I felt like it hadn't settled yet, and like I was in a struggle for energy. The energy issue could be unrelated (ah la a certain phase of the moon is about to arrive, I'm always tired for a few days around THAT). It was about 5 miles before I started to enjoy riding.

Temp was just over 90 before too long, and humidity at 65%. Usually my first bottle contains Nunn or Camelbak tabs and the second is just water, USUALLY that keeps me going just fine.

I also avoid caffeine, sugar, etc. to help prepare myself for the next ride. I drink 2-3 liters of water per day, and fresh herb tea (I grow herbs in my yard). Post-ride if I sweated profusely (whoever said women don't sweat never met a woman who rides a bike) I'll make another smoothie and eat dinner leftovers in the fridge.

Lately though, it seems I need an extra meal for every 10 miles I ride. I ate five times after the 50 miler, and 3 times after yesterday's 30. This does not do good things for my grocery bill... vegetarianism may have something to do with that, meat tends to hang around a lot longer than veggies.