What do you eat before a big ride?

[Brandi]

My problem with oatmeal and ceral is it doesn't stay with me very long. When I eat eggs and Bacon (only two slices)and a tortilla with about a tbl of cheese i am good to go for a long time. But that is my body, I respond well to high protien. I tried sports beans yesterday, I don't know if i liked all that sugar! Anyone got a snack idea that doesn't have soooo much sugar. I have a hard time stomaching the sweet drinks as well when I am working hard. Any suggestions on a drink with all the stuff but less sweet?

[alpinerabbit]

Cereal in the sense of "contains lots of rolled oats", no Kelloggs-type stuff has ever supported me long enough. No high-sugar commercial granola mix. I add yoghurt instead of milk.

I like a soft boiled egg, and some bread and cheese works too (although all you USAnians are, sadly, bread-and-cheese-challenged in the eyes of this Swiss miss....)

On the road, I take only water. I hate the sticky feeling in the mouth and the thread somewhere about caries is exactly what I suspected would happen from sipping highly sweetened drinks during a whole day.

[bikerchick68]

Honestly? I have 2 muffins from Starbucks and a large coffee prior to every century. Gives me plenty of carbs without making me feel over-full... and the coffee... well, I HAVE to have coffee... I mean, I'm usually up at ODark Thirty for these things... someone give me caffeine, quick!

during the ride I do one bottle with water and one with Cytomax... along the way at the SAG's I take on 2 fig newtons and a quarter banana, or melon if they have it... if I feel "full" I still eat ONE fig newton... 20 miles on one newton keeps me from feeling too full, but still gives me the instant energy boost

at lunch SAG I eat a sandwich if they're not out... preferably lunch meat as it has salt.

for me, this works... I can absolutely tell the difference with keeping Cytomax on board for me too... I just ride better with a consistent small amount of carbs in me