jimincalif

That will do it. Normally I have oatmeal and a banana at least one hour before riding. For me this is usually enough for up to 60 miles and 2,500 ft or so. I carry a Clif Bar, sometimes I eat it, or a few bites, if the ride is harder than normal or if I’m more depleted which sometimes is the case if I did a big ride the day before.

Hondo Gravel

I didn’t read any responses just skipped here let’s go by hours instead of distance because that is what really matters. 500 calories? Ain’t going to cut it. For example sake let’s go with 12 mph or 5 hours. 250-300 calories per hour or more. You are trying to finish with strength not trying to lose weight. Start taking in calories within one hour then refuel on the hour even if you feel good. I’m over 50 went 110 miles on Katy Trail eating and drinking carbs religiously on the hour. 1500-2000 calories ingested but more than that burned finished tired but not DEAD. just my experience I share with you. Take care

dennis336

I did a comparable rid a few weeks ago - 64 miles with around 3,300 feet of climbing. Fairly warm day - hit the mid-80s.

At home, before leaving, I had a bowl of cereal and a grapefruit (kind of my normal breakfast). I think I had a couple of toast before leaving the house. My ride start was a little over an hour drive away. Just before starting to cycle, I had a banana I brought with me. I carried a couple of cliff bars with me along with a few pickle spears (I've gotten kind of attached to having pickles on my longer rides). Brought three water bottles with me. At about the 26 mile mark, having done two of the three long climbs, I was feeling like I didn't have enough to eat and drink to take me through the whole ride so I stopped at a convenience store and bought a banana, a small package of chips ahoy cookies, and a liter of gatorade to replenish my water bottles.
Not sure about the science of what I ate and drank, but I actually felt pretty good after the ride so I was happy

big john

One of the women I ride mountain bikes with brings pickles on rides. Helps fight cramps and I sometimes drink a little pickle juice when I get home.

dennis336

My initial motivation for trying the pickles mid-ride was to replenish salt/electrolytes ... I find them refreshing and a nice variation from the energy bars. Fortunately, I've been lucky not to get cramps on rides but good to hear they're helpful in that regard for your cycling friend!

Iride01 

I love pickles too. Both sweet and dill. Just not while riding. I've been on rides where they offered the branded Pickle Juice product at rest stops, but for some reason the smell just turns me off wanting such while exercising hard.

But if you like it great. As long as you don't splash me with it, I won't care.

dennis336

Wait .... sweet pickles?!? I consider them hardly members of the pickle family. Strictly a dill man, here.

Cougrrcj

Gotta love living in the Midwest where roadside fruit/produce stands are abundant. Instant oatmeal, eaten dry and washed down with water for breakfast, stop along the way for berries, apple, peach or whatever is in season -- if not, most convenience store/gas stations have bananas, apples or oranges... I'll grab a quick lunch at McDs or other fast food joint, but I prefer a sit-down small-town cafe/diner/greasy spoon for my evening meal... refill water bottle as often as necessary (I only carry one) and at each meal stop.

big john

My ex and I did some overnight tours through an area with roadside stands. One time we stopped at a strawberry stand and they had ice water to rinse them if you wanted to devour them on site. They were so good I think we ate 2 baskets while we waited for the other couple we were riding with. The best ever!