Food to eat while riding

[PoorCyclist]

I am heading out to Performance Bike to pick up some energy food kind of stuff..
what do you recommend for 3-4 hours of riding, after 90 minutes I start to bonk if I don't eat something.
I have been eating clif bars but would like to get a primer on the food that are easier to digest as long as it still taste alright. Or perhaps other things that I can make at home. Not necessary have to eat while riding, but a quick stop would also do.

[Wookiebiker]

The reality...Eat what works for you and that may not be a normal "Energy" bar branded item. Basically you need to play with different foods to see if they give you an upset stomach or not (some energy drinks do this to me). When you figure that out...stick with whatever that is.

If you want some cheap pre-packaged energy go to Costco, Sam's Club, etc. and pick up some Honey packets. They work well for quick energy.

For some...Fig Newtons, they taste good, are easy to digest and packed with calories.

Others have home made brands and you can find recipes online and on this forum.

Some bring along a banana or two.

For a 3 hour ride I would probably just use energy drinks and not eat anything. Over that, it just depends on what I have around.

In the end...Pick up some of the individual foods they have there and try them all, each on a different ride. See what works best for you and provides the most bang for the buck...then purchase the bigger boxes so you have a supply ready when you need it.

[bahueh]

like wookie says..eat real food, not chemicals.
don't buy the hype.
I've got a few recipes if you want them....mostly energy bar type of stuff.

[Ventruck]

As wookie, I'm more inclined to keep drinking something over eating in the given time period. Fills me in a more pleasant way.

[red elvis]

is there something wrong with energy gels?

[black_box]

is there something wrong with energy gels?

just another consumable to spend money on. Some people do fine on oatmeal cookies and they're not usually $1 each. If you're racing and think it will make the difference, I'd go for it though. Try them both.

[PoorCyclist]

Oh right, I was heading out the the bike shop to get the some Nuun tablets,
That is helpful than just drinking straight water right?

[MerlinAma]

Have used Fig Newtons on many rides. If they aren't fresh, they can be a little dry so you have to wash them down.

Huge fan of bananas. Perfect ride food for me.

PB&J sandwiches are also great.

Heard a good argument from a cycling coach to carry one bottle of water to drink with your food and one bottle with a sport drink. My favorite is Cytomax. Least favorite is Gatorade.

The comment about using what works for you is spot on. Everyone tolerates food differently.

[Brandon351]

For my hydration needs, I carry two water bottles. I fill one with plain water, and the other I fill with Accelerade.

For my first snack, I drink one of the Gatorade brand liquid packs. They actually taste really good. Orange is my favorite, but they're all pretty good.

Then when I really get hungry, I chow down on some oatmeal/cranberry Powerbars. Those ones are all natural, and taste really good. I usually carry about two to three of them in my jersey pockets.

[Alaska Mike]

I like the Honey Stinger gummy drops, because they go down really easily and I actually desire them when I ride. Not many things I can say that about. I don't eat much solid stuff during rides up to about 4 hours, as I generally fuel up beforehand and then rely on what I add to my water and the Honey Stingers. Works for me.

[Kerry Irons]

I am heading out to Performance Bike to pick up some energy food kind of stuff. What do you recommend for 3-4 hours of riding, after 90 minutes I start to bonk if I don't eat something. I have been eating clif bars but would like to get a primer on the food that are easier to digest as long as it still taste alright. Or perhaps other things that I can make at home. Not necessary have to eat while riding, but a quick stop would also do.

I've had great luck with salted fig bars while riding, and a couple of oatmeal raisin cookies and a handful of salted mixed nuts at the break (plus a Coke for fast energy). Last time I checked, Fig Newtons (the expensive fig bars) were about 20% the cost per calorie of Cliff Shot Blocks, have at least equal nutrition, and taste better. IMO no commercial energy bar really offers any advantage. YMMV.

[e34john]

I usually bring trail mix with dried fruits. I sometimes add M&Ms into the mix for some more sugar or a little honey in a bottle. Fruit leathers are good too cause I can roll it up and keep it in my cheek and have a constant flow of carbs. When I stop I have PBJ and some apple sauce. Normally one of the water bottles will have something like Tang or sports drink.

If you want to buy something those Powerbar energy blast bites are great. Its a gummi filled with a gel. The strawberry banana ones have some caffeine too and they taste so good once I got a bag and just ate them while watching TV. I also heard those Stinger honey waffle things are pretty tasty.

[heathb]

For winter riding keep in mind that many energy bars like Clif and Power will get rock hard in freezing weather.

I've learned the hard way that chewing a frozen Clif bar isn't good for the fillings.

[Hughsdad]

I usually bring trail mix with dried fruits. I sometimes add M&Ms into the mix for some more sugar or a little honey in a bottle. Fruit leathers are good too cause I can roll it up and keep it in my cheek and have a constant flow of carbs. When I stop I have PBJ and some apple sauce. Normally one of the water bottles will have something like Tang or sports drink.

I like the fruit leathers idea. I've got to try it. I'm another big fan of trail mix &/or PBJ (although I like honey). After a few hours, I start to need some whole food in my stomach.

[andulong]

Raisins, nuts, figs, PB and J, oatmeal cookies, bananas, payday bars, graham crackers and PB...all good stuff. I do carry a gel pack with me on most rides just in case I run out of food or need to fight off a bonk. It is small, light, easy to carry and I normally don't use it.

[pretender]

like wookie says..eat real food, not chemicals.

Precisely. The best food is the kind that has no chemicals in it.

[Kerry Irons]

Precisely. The best food is the kind that has no chemicals in it.

Plus, this will help you lose weight REALLY fast. You might experience some hunger knock.