12strings

What do you eat/drink during a 25 mile fast group ride? (Avg. 17-18 mph, 23-25mph pace line on the flats, plus a few moderate hills).

I take 2 bottles, one with water, one with homemade sugar/salt water mixture, plus a Lara bar. I generally drink about half of each bottle, and eat half the bar.

Does that sound unnecessary for that short of a ride, even though it's pretty hard? We generally stop and wait at the top of the biggest hill for a few minutes, and most people seem to take a bite of something.

Ferrarif2002

Banana if anything before and then just water on the ride

caloso

For me it would mostly depend on what time of day this ride is and whether I had eaten before.

WhyFi

Yup. If it's in the morning, and I'm on an empty stomach, I'll eat/bring a banana. Otherwise, just some water.

datlas 

Honestly, for 25 miles you just need 1 bottle of water. You don't need any calories, maybe an electrolyte tablet if it's really hot out. Your body has more than enough stored glycogen for a relatively short ride like you describe.

jimincalif

Agreed. Unless you are new to riding and still ramping up. I bonked on a couple of short rides when I was fairly new at this. Now I occasionally do a 25 mile ride with 2,000 feet of climbing after a cup of coffee and take one large water bottle.

deacon mark

Frankly for 25 miles nothing is needed even if it hot out. This depends on a persons training and fitness. Those not as fit and well trained will need more to get by.

If this makes any sense let me tell you that carbo loading for endurance cycling and running is way over rated. That said my wife needs to drink water every 6 miles when I ride with her. I don't need for 60 Miles sometimes if it is cold outside. Please note she is much, much tougher than me she has manage 2 rounds of breast cancer and still can ride.

wphamilton

I don't bring anything for a ride like that, and ride it fasted in the morning. We're only talking what, 800 calories give or take?

RShantz

Water

12strings

Thanks, I may try skipping the bar this Monday night. and see if I feel any different. It IS pretty hot still, and I sweat more than the average person...have since Jr high. I'll keep both bottles on the bike for now.

I am still rapidly increasing my cycling fitness, but have no numbers to prove it...I don't track them. I just know I'm among the fastest/strongest in our club now, and I wasn't before, and I can ride out of the saddle longer, and I can now climb 12-15% climbs for about .5 miles.

So maybe once I'm more stable in fitness I'll know more normals

MinnMan

A 0.4 metric century? 1 bottle of water. Maybe an energy chew if I haven't had a meal for more than 3-4 hours.

And I too sweat more and drink more than most of my compatriots.

FullGas

srsly...?

you don't need fuel for 25 miles.

drink some water.

ne_dan

Shotgun a beer at the start and finish?

FXjohn

a 1/4 philly cheese steak every 6.25 miles

jeffreythree

I sweat a lot since it is still hot here, and take a bottle of water and one with an electrolyte replacement in it. I have been taking a banana or homemade bar for that length ride. You don't have to eat/drink it during the ride if you don't need it, but I figure better safe than sorry. Homemade bar means I can pack just a bite or two.

surgeonstone

For myself, a twenty five mile ride is accomplished with air alone. Unless very humid and hot and I anticipate excessive water loss. 25-50 I'll bring a water bottle with ice water and a bottle with sweetened ice tea. for a 40- 50 mile ride I also bring 1/2 of a peanut butter and marmalade sandwich on whole wheat. I am convinced we have become a nation that is completely unaware that food is an antidote for a problem, and that problem is hunger. Personally I never eat unless I actually feel very hungry.

jordanair45

Mmmm, I just eat breakfast. I do a 28 mile round trip ride everyday, most of the time fasted.

I also have 2 water bottles, one 32oz and one 24 oz (just what I have). Only on rides I'm not too sure if there is a source for water.

I don't think it's a bad idea to bring some sort of power gel's, trail mix, Gatorade chewies, etc. But I also think its unnecessary. I think it's a misconception in the cycling world.

I'm a fan of ketogenic diets. If you train your body to not rely on fast digesting carbs for energy, it will get more efficient and sustain your blood sugar on it's own longer. Although, it probably isn't as efficient, sugar makes you crash quick.

Just my 0.02 cents.

FXjohn

why on earth would you need two bottles for 25 miles??

DrIsotope

25 miles is like an 80-90 minutes. I would previously have assumed that most anybody on this forum could go 80-90 minutes without eating.

Yet now this thread has filled me with doubt.

Also for consideration: anything eaten halfway into a 25 mile ride won't be metabolized until a good while after you've gotten home.

jeffreythree

Speaking for me, though the OP says he sweats a lot as well, I will drop a couple of pounds of water weight in those 25 miles even while drinking a bottle an hour. Weighing myself before and after a ride was pretty enlightening.

Ilbiker

My rides are up to 30 miles avg 17 mph and I don't need any food. Liquids are another thing. I sweat a bunch. I mix Gatorade and water. I start drinking before I get thirsty and sip regularly. It's still pretty warm here and staying hydrated for me is important. I also drink water before heading out, especially if I'm running. It's a pain to carry water while running.

Shimagnolo

For any ride less than 3 hours: Water

gregf83 

Dropping a few pounds is not really a problem. It's not going to affect your performance. It won't hurt to drink but it's also not a big deal if you forget your water and ride for a couple of hours.

Shimagnolo

At 100F I've gone through two liters of water in 15 miles.
At less than 60F I don't even carry water on a 30 mile ride.

mrodgers

Says you. For 25 miles, I take two 24 ounce bottles and a 32 ounce bottle to refill one of the 24 bottles (old gatorade bottle.) Then again, I take this on every ride no matter the distance and I drink it all. I drink a lot.

More than about 30 I add a 20 ounce Gatorade. 50 or better and I'm stopping somewhere for more water.

I sweat. I wear shorts and short sleeve and still sweat when it's 45 degrees out. I need water.