What food to take on long rides.

[Andy Jeffery]

Hi Guys,

Looking for some help please.

For rides of 40 miles or more what's best? Flap jacks, bananas etc or man made gels, hi carb supplements?
Thanks,

Andy.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Nothing until over 50 miles.

 

[Sue Mc]

Hi Andy - 50 miles sounds like a very long wait and we're all different. Think you will have to try a few things and work it out for yourself. For a night ride, I will eat a big plate of pasta and then supplement at 20 miles or so with Clif bars (yum chocolate) or jelly beans. Not keen on fruit as it tends to get a bit squishy.
Best of luck - Sue Mc

 

[Irishrich]

Like Andy said, 40 miles isn't really a long ride. If you eat properly before the ride you will be fine with a couple of bottles of water (I put diluting orange in mine for taste). I take a kelloggs flapjack thingy on rides between 40-50 miles and nothing else is needed. On a longer ride of 90 miles I took a banana, flapjack and some jelly babies and got through it fine.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Hi Guys,

Looking for some help please.

For rides of 40 miles or more what's best? Flap jacks, bananas etc or man made gels, hi carb supplements?
Thanks,

Andy.

Time is more relevant than distance. The body is good for about 2 hours worth of exercise on its own stored glycogen. If you ride for significantly longer than that, it might be useful to take something with you. Bananas, flapjacks, jam/marmalade sarnies are all good...

 

[steve52]

i would work it out on time rather than distance eat something every 2 hours
and it can be what u like,bananas and malt loaf for me

 

[User28924]

Dunno, I take a cereal bar for any ride over 30; it's there if I need it, and not if I don't. I find them convenient (any will do, nutri-grain, jordens, whatever) as they're wrapped, but can be eaten fairly easily in the saddle. Generally they're about 100 calories each. Otherwise there's energy drinks (the carb powders, or make your own with sugar and salt). I like Torq energy, but again, personal preference. Personally I find it hard to take on solid food in the saddle after 50 miles, so these can be really helpful.

 

[Andy Jeffery]

Thanks guys.

I did 44 miles this weekend (work and back) and had porridge for breakfast and a banana for the return trip. I last four miles were hell and I had no energy. I have put this down to a lack of food or that I have only been cycling for three weeks and am out of shape!

 

[Dusty Bin]

most likely the latter..

 

[vickster]

A coffee and cake stop does it for me

 

[Born2die]

I do a lot of weights and cardio during the week so even on rides of 40 miles I take a cheese sammich, flapjack and a banana as I tend to run out of fuel after 30 ish miles. If I'm passing a tea shop or cafe even better.

 

[Puddles]

Hi Guys,

Looking for some help please.

For rides of 40 miles or more what's best? Flap jacks, bananas etc or man made gels, hi carb supplements?
Thanks,

Andy.

Depends what you want in your picnic, Flap Jacks & Banana's are a good start, we take pots of soup in colder weather, but in summer we have all the usual fare sandwiches, or crackers then some meats and cheeses. Fruit, of course, plus maybe a couple of slices of cake and some nibbley bits to fill in the gaps between larger items. I always take a flask or two of coffee for me and some juice for small people as well.

 

[Schneil]

A big bowl of porridge, with a spoonful of nutella or honey, and a banana before setting off.

For up to 50 miles a couple of flapjacks. Aldi do some ok "full size" ones for 50p, have a look at the checkout.
I like bananas, but I find they bruise easily in a pannier or rack bag - so put them in a jersey pocket.
Flapjacks are ace, they don't squash or go off.

If it's cold there's nothing like a hot drink part way round, so schedule a cafe stop.
Likewise if it's a long ride, a cafe or pub stop is a good shout.

 

[HLaB]

For rides up to that distance I'll carry a couple of cereal bars or flapjacks and/or a banana but I might not use them.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Depends what you want in your picnic, Flap Jacks & Banana's are a good start, we take pots of soup in colder weather, but in summer we have all the usual fare sandwiches, or crackers then some meats and cheeses. Fruit, of course, plus maybe a couple of slices of cake and some nibbley bits to fill in the gaps between larger items. I always take a flask or two of coffee for me and some juice for small people as well.

can I come on one of your rides