Cujo2811

I am trying to extend my avg distance on weekend rides. Used to avg 30+, now I'm hitting 50+. On the 30's I never needed any food or gels. On these longer rides, I've been taking 3 gels and 3 bottles (24oz ea) of water. Is that too many gels for 50? I generally take the first 2 (same time/I weigh 210) at 30, and one more around 40-45. I don't really eat breakfast before the rides either. A lil protien shake, coffee & a Gatorade prime has been my norm.

nathan.johnson

I just did this 60 mile ride this morning. https://connect.garmin.com/activity/111841702

I had a bowl of cereal beforehand with a banana at the 2 hour mark and a 1/4 cup of raisins and a 1/4 cup of walnuts at the 3 hour mark. That's about 430 calories consumed during the ride. For rides under 2.5-3 hours I usually don't bring anything.

bbattle

I highly recommend eating breakfast before a ride. But if you eat regularly during a ride, you may be okay. As long as you don't bonk, you're probably eating enough. If you are riding with the fast crowd, you'll need to stay topped off. Protein is needed to help process the carbs but it is carbs that will provide the energy you use while riding the bike.

I always bring along more gels/bars/gu shots than I really need for those "just in case" situations. But they don't do you much good if you forget to eat while riding. So just keep a timer in the back of your mind of when you last had a gel or something.

For 50 miles, a couple of gels with a Clif bar and banana break in between should be good. But if you are hammering the whole way, eat more.

ilvwhtgrls

i can usually get through 50 miles on two bottles of cytomax. I will usually take a gel every 10 miles if we're riding tempo or a gel every 15 or so miles if we're going easier. I have a pretty fast metabolism and I know people who can drink two bottles and a bar on the same ride.

Machka 

Aim for 200-300 calories per hour while you ride. As you get fitter, you may need less.

psuaero

I just did 64 miles this morning, 3hrs 48mins. in 70-85F humid weather. Decent amount of climbing and moderate pace. I had a banana before leaving the house. At the 1.5 hour mark I had a gel. At the 3 hr. mark we stopped again and I had a regular size Gatorade. Consumed one bottle of water on the ride as well and got home with one full one.

So, about 105 calories (banana), 140 calories (gel pack), 200 calories (Gatorade) or 445 calories. Fluids was about 52 ounces.

JoelS

On 50mi, nothing extra. Did 71 mi today with 4300 ft of climbing. Took 2 snack breaks. First was at a Starbucks - cup of coffee and a choc croissant. 2nd break at another coffee shop - coke and a ham/cheese croissant. Drank about 4 bottles of water.

surgeonstone

Todays 55 mile ride, 2 20 ounce water bottles with ice tea and a PB & J sandwich, 1/2 at 1 hr and the other half at 2 hrs. Could have and often do the same ride without the sandwich but missed breakfast.

WCG

Three Raspberry Newtons

kstephens

I never skip a breakfast on days I am going riding. A bowl of oatmeal 30 minutes to an hour before a ride has never let me down. If I am planning on doing 50 - I will still take two gels, but most of the time one will do.

canam73

Whether it's gels or energy drinks your body will only absorb 200-300 calories an hour. If you're eating fats or protein during your ride it's unlikely your body will break it down while you are still riding if it's 50mi or less. I still like to have something solid in my stomach so I generally eat before, but for 50 miles I take 2 bottles of 50/50 water/gatorade and that's it.

RacerOne

Two gels and about a bottle and a half of water and G-Aid. 65 miles in 2:58 lot to lot.

tcwayne

Typically 50+ miles I'll mainly consume 2 power bars and two 24 oz. water bottles loaded with NUUN

palesaint

50ish miles is around 3 hours for me. I make sure I'm fueled up before leaving and bring two 28oz bottle with maybe 250 calories a piece. That's all that's needed up in this mild climate. Hotter area, I would probably stop and buy water (maybe gatorade) to add to the bottles.

Once I'm around 70 miles I start adding bars to munch on, and definitely stop to top up bottles.

GDA

58 miles with some friends this morning and we averaged 19.4.

I had a breakfast taco (egg/bacon) with a glass of orange juice about 30 minutes before the ride. I packed one bottle with water and one bottle with water/HEED and both were done by mile 35. I try to fuel early so put down my first GU at mile 12 and another around mile 26 or so. We stopped around mile 40 and bought a gatorade and bottle of water. I drank most of the gatorade on the stop ate half a powerbar and used the remainder to refill both bottles. Finished the ride with just about half that bottle of gatorade left.

NathanC

Provided I have eaten breakfast, I would have 1 banana and 1 packet of Energy Blasts for that distance. And 2 750ml water bottles.

pdedes

80km is about 2.5 hrs of riding. two bottles of water and a granola bar.

in the heat, perhaps gatorade (i mix from powder) and an extra bottle.

BikeNube

Dont eat anything for breakfast and dont eat on your ride and go out and do 50 miles. It will make you faster.

ladyroadie

So some people are saying 200-300 per hour and some do 50+ with just water or sports drinks? My husband is a more experienced cyclist than I am and always pushes me to eat a lot on a ride, especially when I get cranky. I'd say I easily consume 250 an hour (for however many hours we're riding), and I'm a 135 lb female. Too much?

gbiker

I've done 4 half-centuries and take 2 Powerbars (3 in the future), 2 full magnum bottles of water (usually run dry 40-45 miles in if I don't refill), and 3-4 gels.

Reynolds 

That would be around 3 hrs for me. I can ride that time on water only, but I usually eat a good breakfast before a ride (whole grain bread, skim milk, low fat cheese, jam or honey). I feel better with 1 or 2 bananas or granola bars, however.

deacon mark

I do 50 in about 2:30 to 2:45. I don"t eat before and depending on the temps 1 or two bottles of diluted crystal light. I usually drink 25 onces before I leave then I only need 1 bottle unless it is really hot. Eating only gets important for over 5 hours and if top speed is needed.

Farmer Dave

On a 50 mile ride a half peanut butter sandwich and 2 energy gels and 2 water bottles will suffice for me.

island rider

50 miles? You're riding for less than 2 hours so you really only need your suitcase of courage.

bobbycorno

...if it doesn't kill you first.

SP
Bend, OR