Nutrition for Sportive-length rides

[doctornige]

Hi,

I have a vague idea that I might be fit enough to do a Sportive next year. This year is all about doing some longer distances. So, in an effort to get the sportive feeling in my proposed training rides, I have a desire to get the on-bike nutrition something like right.

Already, I bike with a sugary isotonic drink. To that, I am thinking that dextrose tabs and malt loaf would be a good starting point. Do those of you with more experience have any comments on that?

Cheers.

 

[DCLane]

I ride with a combination of Jelly Babies, raisins and mini malt loaves. Usually I only use the raisins/Jelly Babies on my 60 mile rides though. Also, my drink's either water with a bit of Orange Juice or a Hi-5 tablet popped in one of the two bottles as well.

Others may advocate energy bars and gels but they don't appeal to me I'm afraid.

 

[billy1561]

For me i simply use electrolyte drinks and energy gels but no more than 2 an hour. Occasional banana does no harm either.
Have a pasta based meal the night before too.
Simplistic i know but i like it and more importantly it seems to work for me.

 

[Fran143]

I use blackcurrant juice, tattie scones and jam, jelly babies and whatever is provided at food stations. Enjoy the Sportive!

 

[martint235]

+1 to the pasta based meal the night before but then my preference is just water and a packet of fig rolls. I reckon I can get 100 miles out of one packet of fig rolls.

However, and herein lies the problem with the question, as has been demonstrated in previous threads about this, everyone has a different idea about what is best. What works for DCLane (just as an example, I've not actually tried that list) may give me the runs which really isn't good on a long bike ride. It's about finding what works for you and then refining it until you're happy.

Good luck with the Sportive!

 

[ianrauk]

For me a couple of bottles of High5, some Craisins (cranberries), a fruit bar and nicking some of Martin's fig rolls get's me through a 100miler.

But I do make sure I have a nice big pasta meal night before.

It is a case of finding out yourself what works best for you.

 

[martint235]

For me a couple of bottles of High5, some Craisins (cranberries), a fruit bar and nicking some of Martin's fig rolls get's me through a 100miler.

But I do make sure I have a nice bike pasta mean night before.

It is a case of finding out yourself what works best for you.

 

[VamP]

...nice bike pasta mean ...

Rhyming slang?

 

[ianrauk]

Rhyming slang?

Oops...fixed

 

[lukesdad]

Dextrose tabs are excellent used them for years, nice and cheap too.

 

[Hacienda71]

mmmmm jelly babies and electrolyte tabs in the water bottle seem to ward off cramp later on really tough rides. Feed at the feed stops, malt loaf, bananas, etc.
Also as said fuel well before the ride, I tend to have porridge oats soaked overnight in skimmed milk with honey.

 

[doctornige]

Well, I bit the bullet and signed up for the 'medium' Peak District version of the Evans event. It's in three months. Erk!

 

[doctornige]

Well, today's scientific test has yielded results. Jelly Babies win because you can fish them out of your jersey pocket with gloves on. Fig rolls don't make me poo. Vimto remains the King of Drinks.

 

[tigger]

The day before: Lots and lots of water all day and evening. Large spaghetti bolognese for lunch. Small steak, new potatoes and peas for dinner.

Breakfast: Porridge, toast, malt loaf and coffee. Water.
Ride: Go gels (about 2 an hour) with some of the Go Smart Gels before big hills / need a lift. Banana soreen. Go Electrolyte Drink or whatever I can get from the feed stations. Bit of banana and soreen at feedstations.

 

[Banjo]

I find a handfull of salted peanuts now and then are good.I think the salt wards off cramps. Also use jellybabies as easy calories and have one bottle of water and one of high calorie sports drink.

If time allows then a full english breakfast seems to work for me anyway.