On Wed, 27 May 2009 01:11:22 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

What does everyone else do to keep their energy up on long rides?

How long does the ride take you?
A couple of hours should be doable without really needing to fuel up
during the ride

You'd have to be going pretty slow to take much more than a couple of
hours to cover 25 miles.

Not everyone's super-fit (or able to be). And of course terrain
variations will make a huge difference. Right now I'm very pleased to
be able to do my 26km commute in an hour and a quarter, although I
used to do a regular 18mile journey in under an hour some years back.
I'm sure that the more I do it the faster I'll get, and hopefully may
one day regain something of my former fitness, but if it's just an
occasional leisure ride that's not likely to happen.

It might help to think about what you eat before hand. A complex-carbs
rich meal a couple of hours beforehand should mean you start with
reasonably reserves; and make sure that you're not thirsty before you
start.

I think that's the key. If you're leaping out of bed and riding for 2
hours without breakfast you're not doing yourself any favours. A
decent bowl of porridge and plenty of fluid before you set off should
see you right.

I couldn't do that. And in practice my body seems able to deliver
sufficient slow-release energy to keep me going all the way, although
I know I need to eat as soon as I get to the office. Eating a mixed
meal a couple of hours beforehand is the best way, but riding too soon
after eating (i.e. while you're still digesting it) is actually going
to give you less available energy.