Whats working so far

As a former chef and official former fat guy I find that food is still in my thoughts when I plan my day and my rides. No matter what I do sitting in the office or working my butt off in the gym or on the bike I have to know I'm prepared for what ever the day brings.  It's a curse but if I plan it correctly it's my safety net and I don't give it another thought.
Another reason for being so fastidious with food is having being so over weight  I need to control what I eat and when I eat it. As an example my body responds with the routine of a green shake in the morning, next up my morning break I eat a salad with lots of organic veggies, after work out I have fruit, afternoon break soup or tuna and a light to med size dinner depending on the work out load. Not very much meat nowadays and the bod is doing much better with digestion.
Having been a chef for many years I love good food and if I splurge once or twice a month I find I can be good with my diet the rest of the time...except for chocolate but that s another story altogether.  Even in the picture here in the middle of the table, as you can see, is a big honkin salad when I'm splurging.
As far as food on the rode I'm still working that out. As I said earlier food is a big issue with me and there has to be a safety net. So finding out how far I can ride and at what points I need to refuel is taking time but that to is good. I have talked to a couple of trainers who cycle and each had a clear message,' what ever works for you is best'. So then back to the alchemist mind set of following basic programs and tweaking it to suit my body type and training load.
So far whats worked for me has been the electrolyte replacement by GU. It absorbed quickly, carried my nutrition quickly to my muscles and quenched my thirst. Accelerade on the other hand did not suit my digestive track as it just wallowed around in my stomach. I don't know weather it was the kind of protein used in it  or how the stuff is combined but it didn't work. I used it several times in different venues and all I can say is I'm not gonna do it again.
The chews, gels and bars I used are: GU chomps and FRS for energy, Power bar gels and bars for carbos as well as Gu, Cliff bar and Hammer gels and a varity of bars .  I think the Gu's worked best when combined with GU sport drink, go figgure, but a winning combo to be sure.  The Hammer gel I did use sat in my gut like a giant cheese burger, wow harsh, especially on the last 12 miles of my ride. The other gels are more or less good, I do like the fact that the Cliff gel is organic and it tastes like a raspberry pie filling which is a fun plus.
Of all the bars I have eaten the raw organic ones seen to be the most moist and don't turn to sawdust in my mouth. The also assimilate into my blood quickly and I can fell the energy in my legs within a few minutes just like the gels but is a little more of a complete food source.
Bottom line is it's only the beginning of week six on my Trek and there is lots of prep to do to get my diet, training and head dialed in before May of 2010's ride. So I'll keep working on it and keep you posted.
Until then if I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.