What to eat the night before my sunday ride?

potters1863

Usually tend to go for the pasta and chicken option or Aberdeen angus beefburgers and wholemeal bread.

Last night I had a curry, Chicken tika starter, Chicken Dansak with boiled rice, instead of usual pilau rice.

Due to just getting my fitness level up to something worth while but not competing, thought the Curry may not be too much of a poor choice at this time of year.

Well I did 45 miles today which is a bit more than I have done since October/November last year. Expected to struggle due to the choice of meal last night and surprisingly I did quite well. Did a lot better on a course I did about this time last year and felt good.

This was a big surprise, is there anything in a curry that is of any use to a cyclist?

Velonutter

For 45 Miles you shouldn't have to worry, just eat healthily and make sure you're hydrated.

I only normally worry about loading with carbs for distance of 90 Miles + and I do that a couple of days before the ride.

potters1863

Velonutter wrote:

For 45 Miles you shouldn't have to worry, just eat healthily and make sure you're hydrated.

I only normally worry about loading with carbs for distance of 90 Miles + and I do that a couple of days before the ride.

45 miles is a long way for me at the moment, I did get up to 75 miles last summer but at the fitness level I am at now this was a tough session for me. Will fly it in another month or so.

Pokerface

What you eat for breakfast is probably more important than what you eat for dinner the night before for a ride of that length.

Garz

Curry though especially with extra's like naan bread through experience are not the best preparation (especially if there's any 20% gradients thrown in).

danowat

Velonutter wrote:

For 45 Miles you shouldn't have to worry, just eat healthily and make sure you're hydrated.

I only normally worry about loading with carbs for distance of 90 Miles + and I do that a couple of days before the ride.

This ^, a normal healthy, well hydrated diet is more than enough for that sort of distance

captain_tiara

Porridge for breakfast & a bag of flapjack/malt loaf bits in your pocket. I hate bonking.

Stricktly speaking you've an hour or so of energy in your muscles & after that it's glycogen release from your liver, & your brain gets first dibs on blood stream nutrients. So it helps to periodically bump your bloodstream with carbs, not forgetting 20/40 min digestion. [ I did a degee in Phys Ed].

Eat before you're hungry & dehydration can be catastrophic catabolically. And eat plenty soon [within the hour] after to reload muscles & liver is the commonly accepted mantra. I try & do all the cooking/most of the prep the day before otherwise you'll never manage it!

danowat

Captain Tiara wrote:

Stricktly speaking you've an hour or so of energy in your muscles

I thought it was nearer 90mins

SBezza

danowat wrote:

Captain Tiara wrote:

Stricktly speaking you've an hour or so of energy in your muscles

I thought it was nearer 90mins

At an intense pace where you are using virtually all glycogen, at a steadier pace, you could go for hours.

To the OP, 45 miles might be a long way for you, but in terms of how the body works, it isn't that long, eat a decent breakfast and drink during the ride and you will have enough energy. You might get fatigued during the ride, but you will have enough energy as long as you haven't fasted in the days before the ride.

sfichele

Porridge for breakfast

+1