Advice on drinks / food to take on rides

[Daveb99]

Since starting cycling again I've realized that I need to think about what to put in my drinks bottle - and what I can scoff along the way!

I currently fill my drinks bottle with Orange squash - but it's sugar free so probably not the greatest idea.

Can anyone recommend a good, cheap energy drink ? I guess something in a cordial form would be good, ideally.

As for food - what's the best thing to take?

My rides are quite short currently but I can feel myself getting fitter (and faster!) and am riding further each time I go out, and I want to push a bit harder - hence my thinking that the right type of drink/food is actually quite important.

Given the choice it would be a pint of Stella followed by some sticky toffee pudding (can you see why I need advice...??!!!)

 

[Parrot of Doom]

How long are you riding for? Unless it's more than 40-50 miles I'd suggest that water or similar is fine. You'll get most of your energy from food. I tend to take things like a banana, sandwich. You don't need much, unless of course you're riding for half the day.

 

[NormanD]

Food wise any of these ... bananas . flapjacks . energy bars . nuts . slice of cake . or anything you enjoy eating really, apart from a large three course meal on a stop or you'll struggle to get home again.

Drink wise ... water . OG . Electrolyte energy drinks . Lucozade sports drink (still type) and the same, pretty much anything you enjoy drinking.

I use my own mix, which is ... Boost energy drink / add OG or Black current or lucozade sports (to weaken the fizz) and a pinch of salt in one bottle ... in the other I take one bottle of water (cooled in the fridge the night before) .. on a long ride (above 50 /70 miles) I'll take the camelbak too with the above mix in it.

Drink often on a long ride, even when you don't feel like you need a drink, your body will

 

[HLaB]

Depending on the ride/ intensity, I'd take water or diluted juice, if its a higher intensity ride I'll add sugar and salt to sugar free diluted drink and make my own as per the recipe on the bike radar site. Ive occasionally used Torq powder, High 5, Zero or Nuun Tabs but they cost more
Food wise on a long solo ride I like to take bananas and cereal bars. With the higher intensity club ride there's usually a cafe stop On high intensity rides I've used energy bars and/or gels (zipvit, high5, etc) but again that costs

 

[Rob500]

Up to now the most I've done is around 30-33 miles. I've found tap water to be just fine. When I'm able to up the mileage I'll have to bring one of those energy type drinks. My first few times out I took diluted orange but for some reason I just found that it made me more thirsty.

As for food, I probably bring too much for the short distances I go. Today I took a small bar of chocolate, a peanut butter & jam sandwich and a handfull of wine gums. On other runs I've had a banana instead of the chocolate.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Up to now the most I've done is around 30-33 miles. I've found tap water to be just fine. When I'm able to up the mileage I'll have to bring one of those energy type drinks. My first few times out I took diluted orange but for some reason I just found that it made me more thirsty.

As for food, I probably bring too much for the short distances I go. Today I took a small bar of chocolate, a peanut butter & jam sandwich and a handfull of wine gums. On other runs I've had a banana instead of the chocolate.

Too much food is better than to little. You're at the point where going further will require those extra calories. Running out of fuel 'bonking' is unpleasant and will spoil your ride: Eat before you're Hungry, Drink before you're thirsty - little and often is the rule.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

I had the same question earlier this year, here's a link to that thread.

 

[alci4]

most i have done is 50 but i dont eat (never feel hungry)



i do take lucozade light (asda do 4 for £2.00 now and again so i stock up then bargain) seems to work a treat for me

 

[byegad]

I've used H2O in my bottles for donkey's years. I'm not a really long distance rider, my longest was just over 60miles so maybe beyond that I'd need something else.

 

[jayonabike]

I don't bother with energy drinks, I find Orange Squash is all you need, just don't get the sugar free one. Food wise I take either flapjaks or fruity granola( the tray bake from Tescos cut into squares) and if you've ever needed an excuse to stop off at a cafe for coffee and a slice of cake then being on a bike ride is it!

 

[martint235]

I use either normal water or Volvic hint of lemon (just to add taste to the water). Up to 100 miles I don't bother taking food, over 100 miles I take a packet of fig rolls which have never failed to get me home yet.

 

[tiswas-steve]

Jelly babies gotta be a must, lotsa folk swear by them including me.

 

[billy1561]

Since starting cycling again I've realized that I need to think about what to put in my drinks bottle - and what I can scoff along the way!

I currently fill my drinks bottle with Orange squash - but it's sugar free so probably not the greatest idea.

Can anyone recommend a good, cheap energy drink ? I guess something in a cordial form would be good, ideally.

As for food - what's the best thing to take?

My rides are quite short currently but I can feel myself getting fitter (and faster!) and am riding further each time I go out, and I want to push a bit harder - hence my thinking that the right type of drink/food is actually quite important.

Given the choice it would be a pint of Stella followed by some sticky toffee pudding (can you see why I need advice...??!!!)

 

[pepecat]

I take
Drink - water / diluted orange juice / squash / High5 if it's hot, but if I do use High5 i'll take another bottle with plain water in it.
Food - jelly babies / wine gums / yoghurt covered fruit / flapjack / banana / granary bar things.

Any of those get me round / home.

 

[Matthew_T]

Drink often on a long ride, even when you don't feel like you need a drink, your body will

That is very good advice.

On the longest ride I had done ever (70 miles on a hilly route), I only took one bottle and expected to fill it up allong the way. After about 35 miles, I had used up all my water and was starting to get dehydrated. I then was looking for a cafe or pub to fill up but couldnt find anything. After another 20 miles, I was very dehydrated but went into the leisure center and got a drink and food from the machines inside.
By now I was very tired and didnt rush the last 15 miles home.

I have definately learnt my lesson and will take a lot more water when I go on long rides for now on (well from when I get back on my bike anyway).