Originally Posted by
mschwett
i really dislike eating before a ride, both the full-ish feeling and the need to wait an hour or so. i’m faster in the evening anyway, at which point i think my blood sugar is up high enough to not need any special efforts at all. unfortunately schedules and weather (strong winds after around 3pm) conspire to prevent any really big efforts on a typical afternoon.
"Carbo loading" is basically taking big meals with lots of carbs the night before you ride (up to a few days prior if going for a big ride) and also at least few hours before the ride itself.
It's not eating a huge meal right before the ride itself. Closer to the ride, you can take in easily absorbed carbs like sugar.