deanroush said: this might seem silly but is not clear to me.  what options for eating is there?  i am thinking more in the morning, should i plan on b-fast on my own or is there options?  i’m sure lunch is on the road and i have heard evening meals are a plenty.  just some insight to what to expect.  thanks

Expect food and drink options anywhere and everywhere!!!  Check out RAGBRAI general info. for food options.

https://ragbrai.com/about/general-information/

Lots of options for breakfast, usually in the first two towns.  Ranging from fruit, muffins, to omelets, burritos, and pancakes.  Remember, pie is the breakfast of champions.  Hard to find good coffee though.  For the rest of the trip, RAGBRAI is a code word for a 450 mile buffet table.

Biscuits said: Lots of options for breakfast, usually in the first two towns.  Ranging from fruit, muffins, to omelets, burritos, and pancakes.  Remember, pie is the breakfast of champions.  Hard to find good coffee though.  For the rest of the trip, RAGBRAI is a code word for a 450 mile buffet table.

You may even find “Biscuits” and gravy!

Food is everywhere.  Most times the first couple pass through towns know everyone will be eating breakfast so they plan accordingly as do the normal breakfast vendors.  The vendors and passthrough towns will mark where and what to eat.  Firestations last year had good breakfast.  Dont worry you will find plenty of food.  Eat all day to keep your energy up for the next day.  I am not saying pig out all day, I am saying eat small quanities all day as you ride and have a decent dinner.  50+ miles a day for 7 days is a lot of calories you will burn.  You will be amazed at the amount of food to choose from each day.  Imagine a concert at a large outdoor amphitheater but everyone on bikes trying to get food and use the bathrooms in small towns usually being herded down a 2 lane road right through a small town of 100-4000 people.

I usually eat before I start riding, like pop tarts or something, just so i am not riding on empty.  Then pass the first pass through town and hit the 2nd one for actual breakfast.  The first pass through town is usually too busy and too long of lines.

Kicks

eat early, eat often. just not very much at once. (except maybe supper)

I like to start the day with a banana and chocolate milk.  This is usually good for an hour or two.  Stop again when i smell biscuits and gravy usually around 10.

Look for lunch around noon then something around 2 in the afternoon. 

The thing i learned is eat before u are hungry,  don’t eat a bunch unless you like to see it again. Eat a good dinner around 6 and then some chocolate milk before bed.

The first RAGBRAI was painful because I ate according to my regular schedule of 3 times a day.  By the time i learned my lesson i was spent.

The second RAGBRAI was much more enjoyable. 

dpackboy said: I like to start the day with a banana and chocolate milk.  This is usually good for an hour or two.  Stop again when i smell biscuits and gravy usually around 10.

 

Give me a call when you find biscuits and gravy!!!!

dpackboy said: I like to start the day with a banana and chocolate milk.  This is usually good for an hour or two… 

For me its a Quaker Oatmeal to Go Bar and a Coca Cola (and a smile).

we all have our rituals

thanks to you all!  good suggestions

Granola bars pack well.  I usually eat one in my tent as I’m getting dressed and packing my stuff back in my duffel bag.  Then I can stop at the first pass through town if the line is reasonable, or wait for the second pass through town, like Kicks9 does.  That way I’m not running on empty from the start.

One other thing with regards to eating… Recovery.

There is a half hour window after you get done riding to stuff your face with a mix of carbs and protein where your body will absorb them quickly and use them for recovery. It is sooooo easy to get into camp and spend time screwing around with your tent and shower and other stuff of camp life and you forget to eat for tomorrow.

Make it a plan to get something good stufffed in your face before you start dealing with everything else. Chocolate milk is great after a ride but does not travel so well in a duffle bag laying out in the Iowa sun. I carry some powdered mix of protein powder and maltodextrin. There are lots of other options too but the key is getting them in that short window of time immediately after stepping off the bike.

Withing five minutes of finding my duffle bag, before I even move it:
1) I am wearing a hat with a wide brim.
2) Have gotten out of my chamois (and into my kilt) to avoid saddle sores.
3) Sunscreen on my feet so I dont burn the tops of them.
4) Mixing my recovery drink and swallowing it down.
5) Finding a cold beer while my wife sets up the tent (YMMV).

Kitty, I gotta see the second half of number 5. 

RIDE RIGHT