Food?
- Thread starter mcr2c384
- Start date
It depends on what you are used to eating and what you find works as fuel, nutrition, comfort, enjoyment, etc.mcr2c384 said:
I usually look at the overall route with ideas of buying local special and seasonal fruit, vegetables, etc. Food is heavy and spoils fast. I buy daily provisions and consume on the spot on many occasions. However, I plan meals for future and usually have 3 meals available on the bicycle at all times. You should do some weekend trips to see what works for you. If you are going to cook, a reliable stove with suitable fuel(s) should be part of your plan.
There are as many schools of thought as there are approaches. You will see check list like those at the following URL:
http://www.bicycletraveller.de/equip.htm
that have great details of everything but food. Weekend trips will help you sort it out.
Ask locals and other travelers along the way what you "should" try. Sometimes you will find out about a stand or bakery that you would really enjoy. I have picked up some wonderful treats that way and added to future meals items such as special bread rolls, chese, nuts, veggies, and fruit. I try not to weigh myself down with too many items for "regular" consumption.
I have my favorites like sun flower seeds and raisins (my version of GORP). Hope this helps some.
Are you biking solo or with others?
I find that I like to cook when I'm with a group, but usually consider it an extra chore when alone. Plus all the cooking stuff can't be spread out among a group when cycling solo. And I am not a coffee junkie so I can actually start riding without a cup o' java in the mornings.
The high muskety-muck food for most cyclists is peanut butter. I hope you like it because it goes great with all kinds of things and doesn't need refrigeration. Bread is a tricky thing. If one isn't careful, the loaf will quickly look like a squished pancake. Keep it on top in a pannier - of tie it on top of the back in a plastic grocery bag. Flour tortillas hold up better.
So, when I solo, I usually have a hot meal in a cafe. It's nice because it means being with other folks and chatting. I stick to sandwiches, fruits, raw veggies, and cookies when alone. I always have dried fruits and sunflower seeds/nuts for quick energy. Mozzarella cheese holds up in all but the hottest weather. If you eat fish, a can of tuna in the bottom of the pannier is always a good source of protein (and mercury) for a couple of quick sandwiches.
A can of frozen juice is much better than pop. They usually make two 24 oz. bottles - and since they are frozen, the juice is chilled. I usually drink one on the spot and save one for later. You do know that a wet sock around a water bottle keeps the water cool - right?
Regardless of what you choose to eat, be aware that animals - east and west - will try to get into your food. I never have any food products or utensils in my rear panniers - only front ones. These I can hang to keep away from raccoons. In the west you need to exercise great caution in bear country - either use storage bins where available or hang 100 yards downwind and 10 feet up/6 feet out on a limb. NEVER eat in your tent.
Have fun! - - J
I find that I like to cook when I'm with a group, but usually consider it an extra chore when alone. Plus all the cooking stuff can't be spread out among a group when cycling solo. And I am not a coffee junkie so I can actually start riding without a cup o' java in the mornings.
The high muskety-muck food for most cyclists is peanut butter. I hope you like it because it goes great with all kinds of things and doesn't need refrigeration. Bread is a tricky thing. If one isn't careful, the loaf will quickly look like a squished pancake. Keep it on top in a pannier - of tie it on top of the back in a plastic grocery bag. Flour tortillas hold up better.
So, when I solo, I usually have a hot meal in a cafe. It's nice because it means being with other folks and chatting. I stick to sandwiches, fruits, raw veggies, and cookies when alone. I always have dried fruits and sunflower seeds/nuts for quick energy. Mozzarella cheese holds up in all but the hottest weather. If you eat fish, a can of tuna in the bottom of the pannier is always a good source of protein (and mercury) for a couple of quick sandwiches.
A can of frozen juice is much better than pop. They usually make two 24 oz. bottles - and since they are frozen, the juice is chilled. I usually drink one on the spot and save one for later. You do know that a wet sock around a water bottle keeps the water cool - right?
Regardless of what you choose to eat, be aware that animals - east and west - will try to get into your food. I never have any food products or utensils in my rear panniers - only front ones. These I can hang to keep away from raccoons. In the west you need to exercise great caution in bear country - either use storage bins where available or hang 100 yards downwind and 10 feet up/6 feet out on a limb. NEVER eat in your tent.
Have fun! - - J
Other posters have given you good advice that I would echo here. It's really important that you try the stuff out at home before you head out to see if it's palatable to you....There are a lot of powdered alternatives available these days, and some of them are actually tasty. They are generally expensive, but travel well. In general, eating one dehydrated meal after anohter gets old quickly, so I would look to break it up with a good restaurant meal as often as you need it. Fresh produce also breaks up the monotony of eating while on the road, but it has the disadvantage of spoiling quickly and being hard to transport. Pita bread and tortillas pack better than sandwich bread and they're very common in my corner of the world. Tuna now comes in small envelopes, but I'm not sure if that's in your diet. If you do it it, tuna is cheap protein that is easy to carry. For me, fresh coffee is a great way to start.mcr2c384 said:
A lot depends on your own personal tastes....
Good luck, WKB.
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