subject: Eating while cycling is beneficial [print this page] If you cycle you probably have experienced the feeling of bonking and you know firsthand out uncomfortable and painful it can be. Beginning cyclist don't realize when they first start riding the importance of bringing the proper nutrition, water, and food with you while you ride. If you are riding for longer than an hour it is almost required to bring the proper nutrition. If you don't you leave yourself at risk for bonking which will make your ride a very painful once and in some cases it will prevent you from finishing.
When you are riding it is not uncommon to burn around 800 to 1200 calories an hour. That is nearly half of your recommended daily intake. If you ride for longer than an hour you are using up all the energy and calories you body has saved up to use for energy. You are literally using up all your energy until you have nothing else left. You need to be refueling yourself while you ride to keep your body fueled for longer riding. Your body is just like a car, you can drive your car forever without having to refuel it. Just like a car your body needs to be refueled before it will stop performing.
What you bring with you is up to you and what works best for you. I have seen people ride with bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, power bars, Lara bars, Clif Bars, Apples, candy bars; if you name it I am sure someone has brought it on a ride for fuel. I would recommend bring a performance type bar such as a Clif Bar or Lara Bar but once you find something that works for you you should continue using it. You always want to bring water as well, and bringing some sort of electrolyte or performance drink may not be a bad idea. When picking a route it may also be a good idea to find spots along the way to refill your water bottles if you will be riding for a few hours.
No matter how long you are riding bringing some fuel on your ride is never a bad idea. I would rather carry a Clif bar for two hours and not have to use it than ride for 2 hours and bonk 30 mins from home. In fact, I try to eat every hour of riding even if I feel fine just to prevent myself from bonking.
