This is a two-parter i suppose. First part, what do you eat out there to keep you pedaling?

Second part, what gives you motivation or desire to go out there every day of the year, and do your thing.

I'll start. I like to start out with breakfast everyday with potatoes and eggs. It's too delicious to pass up and keeps me full for a real long time. I've recently been making my own little burrito creations, rather just rolling things up in flour tortillas. I had two with me for our whole fat day ride, they had sweet potato, brown sugar, rice, and egg. I'v been known to eat some Gu from time to time

Cycling keeps me fit, happy, and with a lot of extra cash. It takes me anywhere I want fast and free.
Ok, now you.

Same thing every day: 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, honey, banana, cup'o'whatever fruit is lying around, chia seeds, li'l granola, handful of nuts. That's right, I devour a handful of nuts each morning. Mmmmm. the chia seeds actually expand in your tummy, so they are good pre-ride or pre-long shift at work.

Thanks for asking this, it was nice to consider all the reasons I've chosen to be car-free. Bicycling is my meditation; In an urban environment, the repetitive motion and exposure to the elements is often the closest I can get to secluded-cabin-in-the-woods-style quiet time in my head. I like feeling connected to my body and feeling my bike contact the ground, (is it a conduit?) also, I like not dealing with parking, being awake when I get to work/school, and having an increased tolerance of hot/cold temps due to constant acclimation to conditions. I like that I always know what the weather forecast is, and that I get to know other bikers and they's rides-- I love being a part of a community. I like different kinds of races and rides. I like that I can switch out bikes or parts and customize my commute each day. I like that biking gives me something to talk to my little brother about. I like that I don't have gas guilt, and generally have no clue whatsoever what the price of a gallon of gas is. It proves to me that change and movement toward sustainability is not only possible, but happening already.
I also like saying to one friend in particular, "I can't believe you drive all winter long. Don't you get cold?"

Satan.

Bitterness.

Bitterness and lots of leafy green vegetables.

FTFY

In part, I think I'm half Labrador retriever .... I will go until my heart explodes; just 'cause I'm having fun and there's a "tennis ball" to chase (let me know if you've never had a lab in your life and I'll explain).

Food: Love the home-made Egg McMuffin: egg, cheddar cheese, some chicken breakfast sausage (all mixed together), served on an English muffin.

I also enjoy a home-made after-ride sports drink: chocolate whey protein, powdered coffee (Via), milk, ice (like an iced mocha). Great after AM commute to make sure the legs will be ready at the end of the day... great whey to start the day!

Dear Chris,

Please no explodey hearts. It makes such a mess.

Love,
The Internets

Homemade granola or graham nuts with fruit and an egg for b-fast. When I have more time, I like making egg, salsa, cheese and fake sausage/veggie burrito thingies as well. Very yummy and, the OP is right in saying they leave you feeling full for a while. Good thing on a day with lots of riding.

I usually pack a couple granola bars or some of those Lance waffles (now with double the EPO and HGH!). I had to give up the gu after my last marathon. That stuff gives me gut rot. I enjoy stopping in at cafes during a ride for a scone or something yummy. If I'm going more than 50mi. then I get myself an American tea cake from you know where.

Motivation: the joy of moving quickly under my own power on a beautiful bike. On days when the joy is hard to find: the desire to not ride the bus and get where I want to go quickly. Other than that, I agree with everything that (313) wrote. Spot on.

Put that Satan in your mouth. Now swallow.

yup. fried egg, some type of cheese and a few slices of salami on an English muffin washed down with a cup of hot tea. Sometimes Ill make two and pack one for when I get to work.

Post ride is a big glass of chocolate milk.

Olive oil ( couple tablesppons) in pan, near smoking. Chop up an onion and add, stir till near clear. Add a couple cloves of good garlic (smashed), and then some asparagus cut into 2" pieces - cook till asparagus near done and add 1/2lb smoked salmon broken into small hunks. Cook for a couple of minutes and add a half pint of cream - bring to boil and cut heat off.

Cook about 1/2lb linguine in salted boiling water (al dente), drain and add to above in pan - toss well until pasta is coated. Cover pan and let sit for 5 minutes. grate a bunch of good parmesan cheese over it and serve with good bread and a nice white bordeaux. You will have fuel for a very nice ride

in general i find homemade stuff is so much more satisfying and works better than anything synthetic like a cliff bar. that being said, it is nice to have such portable options when you don't want to stop.

eggs, bacon, toast with Nutella and Almond butter, nanners, fig bars, Clenbuterol, lots o' H2O, greens(usually kale, sweet potato, cooked with a shallot, garlic and olive oil), coffee

I keep a cliff in the bottom of one of my panniers for those times where I feel a little bonky. it has saved the day more than once.

Cliff bars are actually all made with real ingredients. Most of their ingredients are also organic. Did you know they started out homemade? Pretty nifty stuff, now power bars and that crap I'll give a wotf to.

To answer the question:

My pre ride meal is usually something easy and light like 1 fried egg with some toast and yogurt.

On the ride I usually bring yogurt covered raisins, Cliff Bars, fruit snacks, or a sandwich if it is a long ride.

I ride because it makes me happy. I love being outside and in nature so naturally biking is part of that. I also like the challenge sometimes, like flying up a long crappy hill cussing the whole way, but when you reach the top, oh man.

My favorite post ride meal is a Juicy Lucy and a beer. Yumzz.