Eat a high carb meal no less than 2 hours before you ride. If you don't do that, don't eat anything before the ride except a Clif Bar or the like 15' before you ride.
And don't eat before you're hungry. IME, that's BS. Or maybe for riders who haven't developed any fat burning ability because they either don't ride long enough or eat too much. I drink to thirst and eat to hunger. I ride a lot, doubles, brevets, long rides in the mountains, that sort of thing. That's what I've learned, and somewhat painfully. The worst thing you can do is overeat. The best thing is small amounts about every 15'.
I don't know a single distance rider who uses gels. 20 years ago, Hammer Gel in their 6oz. flasks were the thing. That's enormously better than onesies. Hammer Nutrition. Now everyone seems to use liquids or more ordinary food, like sandwiches, cookies, dates, bars. Some use Shot Bloks. That's like gels without the hassle.
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Last edited by Carbonfiberboy; 11-20-22 at 11:32 PM.