I take a fuel as you go approach to rides over 12-15 miles long. It seems to work better than riding without eating for 15-20 miles; then chowing down a whole energy bar in a few seconds before I resume pedaling.

When you’re riding long distances, your your heart and legs have first dibs on your blood supply; and that leaves less blood available for digestion. This is especially true if you’ll be riding hard; or if you’re doing an all-day event, such as a century.

They say, during such an event, keep rest stops short. Pick out what you want to eat; resume riding; then fuel as you go. If you hang around a rest stop for 15 minutes, eating all the while, you’re only too likely to have a very uncomfortable stomach — or worse — after you resume the ride.

I don’t see myself doing a century ride in the near future, but I practice eating while riding. As I extend my daily distance, that’s all the more important!