Pre-ride meal...?

ahstueyman
ahstueyman Posts: 76
edited March 2012 in Training, fitness and health
Hi,

Was curious as to what others eat/consume before a ride and during a ride. I generally get up and ride first thing in the mornings, im thinking of going down the route of a Strawberry/Banana and Oat smoothie as theyr suppose to be good for the energy and i imagine is a lot lighter on the stomach first thing in the morning.

any ideas?

Comments

  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    depends how far you're going...
  • GiantMike
    GiantMike Posts: 3,139
    I use the rule of thumb* of 30-40 calories per mile for a ride.

    For a usual 50 mile morning training ride I'll have 3 Weetabix with some added muesli, a coffee (with sweetener because I don't like sugar in coffee), and something like a bagel or a sandwich. I'll take a sugary drink to keep topped up, and gel and/or energy bar in case I start to struggle.

    I try to avoid riding within an hour of eating anything substantial.

    *This is my rule of thumb based on my own evidence. Please feel free to have your own opinion if you don't like mine.
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    Never eat before a long ride in the morning, little reason to, just start eating once on the bike, the insulin response will be a lot friendlier and there's no reason for you to be short in the morning.
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • GiantMike
    GiantMike Posts: 3,139
    jibberjim wrote:
    Never eat before a long ride in the morning, little reason to, just start eating once on the bike.

    I tried that and didn't get on with it. I kept spilling the milk and the kettle lead wasn't long enough.
  • Herbsman
    Herbsman Posts: 2,029
    GiantMike wrote:
    jibberjim wrote:
    Never eat before a long ride in the morning, little reason to, just start eating once on the bike.

    I tried that and didn't get on with it. I kept spilling the milk and the kettle lead wasn't long enough.
    OHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!
    CAPTAIN BUCKFAST'S CYCLING TIPS - GUARANTEED TO WORK! 1 OUT OF 10 RACING CYCLISTS AGREE!
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    GiantMike wrote:
    jibberjim wrote:
    Never eat before a long ride in the morning, little reason to, just start eating once on the bike.

    I tried that and didn't get on with it. I kept spilling the milk and the kettle lead wasn't long enough.

    Get a Solar powered kettle and you can practice with the milk.
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • patbriggsmbr
    patbriggsmbr Posts: 43
    A good powdered drink from holland and Barrett, use water to mix not milk as that can cause insulin levels to rise sharply and make you feel sluggish. There's different ones you can get like increased calories for long rides or high protein which, can help with muscle repair and function. These types of powders are for pre during and post rides.
    Hope this helps.
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Provided I've got about an hour or more fro eating to setting off I just have a regular breakfast of porridge.
    More problems but still living....
  • phreak
    phreak Posts: 2,953
    I usually have a bowl of porridge or muesli coupled with a few slices of toast.
  • bcur7
    bcur7 Posts: 10
    Porridge, with sliced banana or rasins and honey. Porridge is one of, if not the best pre-race/training foods out there and a good drink of diluted juice. Shreaded Wheat is also very good. In ride I'd have banana and those Kellogg's Elevens's. Long rides I'd have a cheese sandwich.
  • thiscocks
    thiscocks Posts: 549
    I eat two bags of salt and vinegar 'squares' crisps normaly. Carbs and sodium all in one.
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    thiscocks wrote:
    I eat two bags of salt and vinegar 'squares' crisps normaly. Carbs and sodium all in one.

    presumably followed by a pint of Fullers ESB for hydration purposes...?
  • Slack
    Slack Posts: 326
    If I can get out of bed, 2 hours before departure of a 4hour plus ride, I'll have porridge and couple slices of wholemeal toast.

    I sometimes find it hard to eat first thing, and porridge is unpleasant for me at the best of times, so if I'm late and can't face porridge on a particualr day, I'll have a tine of low fat rice pudding and wholemeal toast.
    Plymouthsteve for councillor!!
  • slowsider
    slowsider Posts: 197
    Porridge before. Orange squash and Jelly Babies during, (and/or banana, apple), glass of milk and peanut butter-on-white sandwich* when I get back. Food of champions :)

    *High G.I. as soon after finishing when the glycogen stores are most receptive.

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