Old School Bike Foods

pottssteve

Ay-up,

I normally take a pack of crackers to nibble when I ride anything over about 40km as I find I get hungry at about this distance. However, I have a couple of longer rides coming up and want to carry something different. I don't think I want (or need) gels and would be happy to carry something more traditional.

I know that figs are quite good, but what would other people recommend? I'm not vegetarian and have no food allergies, by the way.

Ta,
Steve

c0ugars

Fruitcake is meant to be quite good for you, im not a fan of fruitcake so i cant answer this for myself. but when i go on longer rides i use gels and i have a Mars bar as a little treat if im doing really well or need something to boost myself

rick_chasey

Figs, if you can stomach them.

Velonutter

pottssteve wrote:

Ay-up,

I normally take a pack of crackers to nibble when I ride anything over about 40km as I find I get hungry at about this distance. However, I have a couple of longer rides coming up and want to carry something different. I don't think I want (or need) gels and would be happy to carry something more traditional.

I know that figs are quite good, but what would other people recommend? I'm not vegetarian and have no food allergies, by the way.

Ta,
Steve

i'm vegetarian as well Steve, probably the best thing is a banana, but I also use High 5 4:1 Bars as a modern solution.

I tried last year some home made rice cakes and they were gorgeous and savoury for a change. I've made some new flap jacks up this year and everyone who has tried them loves them, nice and chewy but easy to digest.

I think I would struggle with crackers as would be too dry, Soreen Malt load is also old audax riders favourite.

I take gels in an emergency, but to be truthful I can't stand them,

danowat

Flapjacks do it for me, I like the Cliff ones, although pricey.

jonmack

As has already been mentioned, figs, bananas, malt loaf, flapjack, all cheap and easy to get hold of!

chill123

banana, flapjack as mentioned.

i'm also partial to a toasted bagel with jam & peanut butter if out on longer rides. cut into quarters and wrap in foil for ease of unpacking on the road.

keef66

Fig rolls are good cos they don't make your fingers sticky. Jelly babies do much the same thing as gels, are easier to scoff, and don't leave you with a sticky wrapper to dispose of.

You've probably noticed I have an aversion to sticky things.

paulnettles

I usually carry a couple of small oranges - clementines or satsumas, peeled and ready to go in the jersey pocket

pottssteve

Thanks, chaps.

I think I'll make some flapjacks!

pneumatic

pottssteve wrote:

Thanks, chaps.

I think I'll make some flapjacks!

http://www.flapjackrecipe.com is your friend

stevec205gti

I've been getting on quite well with those cheapo 'Sesame Snaps' bar thingies - 66p for 4 packs of 3 (and that's from Waitrose - so they must be cheaper elsewhere!); and 163 calories per pack. They're a little bit tacky, rather than sticky, but after a couple of goes you can get into the pack and it them one at a time without ever having to handle them out of the packaging.

Rindle

mini pitta bread with peanut butter and honey or with peanut butter and nuttella

Chip \'oyler

Fig rolls. Ideal size to throw in your gob, low fat and full of energy

plankton_brain

Pocket full of licorice works for me.

floosy

Jam sarnies(wholmeal bread no butter and blackurant jam) malt loaf and a good ol fashion banana.

Dave.

Anonymous

Croissants, with jam, slice of ham and cream cheese, good old nosh.

JamieDodger

Beef sandwich, bread soaked in brandy

Stone Glider

@JD Wow! that really is 'Old School'! How about jaffacakes? or even Haribo :shock:

paulbox

Malt Loaf... Waitrose sell it pre-sliced.

The gels make me feel a but sick.

JamieDodger

Stone Glider wrote:

@JD Wow! that really is 'Old School'! How about jaffacakes? or even Haribo :shock:

Jaffa cakes soaked in brandy is an intriguing idea.

pilot_pete

Not so much old school, but not 'gel' either - Kellogg's Elevensies Golden Oat Bake and Raisin Bake bars work a treat and taste good. A little on the chewy side, but they are oats and sugar and come wrapped in individual foil covers, perfect for slipping in a jersey pocket. I never go out without at least two of them, and often return with both, but they are great as an emergency supply if the energy levels start to drop, or part of a planned food intake - I find one an hour on long rides works.

PP

SimonPieman

Fig Rolls do it for me, if you can put up with the later effects!! Flapjack, yes, yes, yes. Dried fruit sultanas etc.

Nuggs

Fig rolls, flapjack, malt loaf, amphetamines, bananas.

Pross

Malt loaf and banana for me. Can't imagine trying to eat something as dry as crackers whilst cycling though!

Tallyho

+1 for Fig rolls and bananas. After a while on longer rides, drinks just don't fill you up and I for one start thinking about fish and chips after about 60 miles. When out a few times a week, the cost of gels, energy bars etc. is really prohibitive so it is far better to get the cheapo supermaket own brand cereal bars and fruit. A large PB&J hits the spot too.

nevman

Tracker bars-cheap,easy to carry and chewy-sorted.

wheezee

stevec205gti wrote:

after a couple of goes you can get into the pack and it them one at a time without ever having to handle them out of the packaging.

It took me a long time to work this out for myself, but snipping the top off the packet of any "bar" type snack before you leave, will make it easier to scoff it while riding.

I know, but I'm clumsy and cack-handed. :roll:

de_sisti

Kendal mint cake :P

Headhuunter

Nuggs wrote:

Fig rolls, flapjack, malt loaf, amphetamines, bananas.

Do you stop by the side of the road to snort the amphetamines through a £50 note a la old school 1960s rock n roll star or take them in tablet form?

Chris McG

I use bananas, choccy bars, and more modern: Powerbar Ride Shots and Sport Beans