Do I need energy bars?

I think you are gonna need to eat at least once on 50and over ride so I would say yes. Of course a lot depends on the terrain you ride as to how much energy you need to replace.

I think your body needs to have some blood sugar in order to be able to use the fat stores you have, unless you're going very slow. I am not an exercise physiologist though.

I personally go with faster carbs when actually riding because the sugar is likely to be put to work as soon as it's available.

I recommend that you take something to eat with you.

You don't have to eat anything, but if you need to eat something, then you'll have it.

Take more than what you think you'll need.....energy bars don't take up much room or weigh much. What you don't eat on this ride can be used the next ride.

I almost always have at least 1 bar with me. Even on short 35k rides. And i quite often eat them!!! Definitely bring a bar or 2. Always be prepared.

Nothing worse than bonking halfway into your ride with not a store in sight!!!

This past Saturday I did my first 62 mile ride. The most I had done before that was 40 miles. Typically I don't eat anything during the ride but on Saturday we stopped at a store at mile 30 to refill the bottles and I had a Powerbar then. That seemed to work for me but everyone is different. Good luck on your ride.

Roaders said:

I am a big guy and predominantly cycle to lsoe weight. My normal commute is 12 miles each way so obviously I don't need any energy bars or drinks for that distance.

This weekend though I am doing a 60 mile ride and in a few weeks I am doing an 80 mile ride.

Should I take some energy bars along or am I ok to rely on my (ample) energy stores to make it to the end?

While you don't need 'energy bars', per se, if the ride isn't supported & there aren't stores along the route, then you should probably consider bringing something along -- Fig Newtons, soft granola bars, and other easy-to-digest foods which you actually like the taste of are a good alternative to so-called 'energy bars' ...

IMO, semi-soft food is easier to chew while you are riding-or-briefly-stopped than slightly harder/firmer (e.g., PowerBars) or crunchy food!

I would probably carry the equivalent of TWO sandwiches in some ziploc sandwich bags (or, equivalent) + maybe something for the end-of-the-ride, too. Whatever you don't eat you can take on your next ride.

I know people who bring bananas with them, but I think that they are cumbersome to carry.

BTW. I have Cytomax in one bottle & plain water in the second bottle which I carry on my bike.