Why would we be always thinking of food? A true cyclist, it’s been said, is a bottomless pit. (See “The Cyclist Hunger and Eating Style”). Riding for hours certainly can work up an appetite, even if it isn’t apparent immediately after the ride ends. When I finished my tricycle century, I wasn’t hungry at all. The next day, it was another story.

But that was AFTER the ride. What about DURING the ride?

Many a web site discusses how much a pro tour rider must eat during a stage race, both on bike and off, to keep the “engine” going. I’ll bet they’re always thinking of food! Most of us don’t need nearly that much, but we do have to keep fueled during a long ride.

The next question is what to eat. There are the questions: How long will you be riding? At what intensity? Do certain foods/drinks cause you gastric distress? What are your food preferences? Do you have any dietary restrictions?

For the weekly long ride I mostly use Gatorade Whey Protein Bars, cut in pieces for easier handling. I always have a couple of GU-Gels with me, even on the shortest rides. Those gels are my emergency rations for riding to and from work; and running errands.

I find that I’m getting a bit weary of Gatorade Bars, though. If you, too, are tired of commercially-produced ride food, I suggest these books:

The Feed Zone Cookbook

Feed Zone Portables

There are many recipes in the above books that I haven’t been able to try because I don’t have the necessary equipment. But I hope that someday I can. As the song in Oliver! goes, “Food, glorious food!”