Best favourite snacks on the bike

Paultheagle

I'm setting off on a longish tour of the Netherlands in a week or so..

i just wondered what is everybody's preference or experiences with snack food to eat on the bike ?

i have suffered the dreaded bonk a few times on long runs and i have read its a good idea to eat at least once every hour (as well as keep rehydrated, which i am better at).

does anybody have any tips - popular foods ?

(i will probably be using a small top bar bag and usually carry a banana)

GavH

I'd say you need to eat more than once every hour but each to their own. On long rides (which I haven't done in a while, but I have just ran a Marathon), my strategy is to start eating something on the hour point and every 30 mins thereafter. Gels are my preferred option, with a banana or two depending on length of ride. I've tried flapjacks and found them difficult to chew and a bar of Fry's Turkish Delight, which whilst high in carbs, turns to goo when it's been in your jersey pocket (not my cleverest idea). Any longer than 5 or 6 hours (which I haven't done) and I'd be planning to stop somewhere and eat a proper meal or at least a good sarnie.

sassse

I use dried mangos, nuts, bananas and cereal bars. with gels for emergency or end of ride use.

Seems to work for me, I personally prefer "real" food to gels for as long as I can manage.

BrandonA

In Sainsbury's in the bakery section you can buy the tubs of mini bakes. I like the chocolate brownies and the flapjacks.

Each one has about 80 calories and on a long ride I might take one every 5 miles (15 minutes).

THey are the perfect size - one mouthful and they fit well in my bag which sits on the top tube.

whoof

If you are touring eat food rather than 'energy products'. Whilst touring I usually have cereal/ croissant /juice and coffee for breakfast. Lunch, a picnic based on bread & cheese and whatever looks good in the shop. I carry a banana and sometimes a couple of small packets of fruit biscuits. Additionally top up with visits to the cake shop and an ice cream if it's hot. When you arrive at your destination have a beer.
If your touring I take it your on holiday not trying to get enough points for your elite licence.
Whilst in the Netherlands you could try some slagroom!

drlodge

- Sainsburys granola bar, sold for £1.50 for a bag of 4. Its the the right size and doesn't disintegrate in your back pocket.
- Fig rolls, nice and compact and can be protected using the cardboard sleeve they come in
- Jelly babies; just put them loose in your back pocket. Nice and juicey

slowbike

During an event I quite like Dextros - tablet form of energy ... taste fine, don't take chewing and don't make a mess in a sweaty jersey pocket.
Otherwise it's just normal food - although I'll usually take a gel or dextros with me (gels came free from events).

bernithebiker

Big mac.

Schleck's Chain

Personally I've settled for NutriGrain Breakfast bars (often £1 for four in Poundland). They have a good carb amount (21g or so) and are actually quite tasty. To mix it up, I sometimes also take Fruit Shots (compressed fruit) which can be quite fresh tasting and also give a carb hit.

apreading

drlodge wrote:

- Jelly babies; just put them loose in your back pocket. Nice and juicey

+10000

and Nutrigrain that someone here mentioned
and Maltloaf if buttered (you can also add jam or set honey for an energy boost)

I also love 'proper' Clif bars (all flavours), Liquorice Mule bars, Zipvit Choc Orange, Blueberry Yoghurt or uncoated chocolate bars and several others, but the above 'normal' food is cheaper and pretty good.

neilo23

Two slices of raisin bread with jam in the middle. No butter to melt, wrapped in foil in a back pocket.

charlie_potatoes

Medjool Dates

Paultheagle

Thanks to everybody for the great advice !

Flâneur

Marks and Spencer's flapjacks

apreading

Paultheagle wrote:

Thanks to everybody for the great advice !

What was your decision at the end of the process?

TFC1

Mini Banana malt loaf bars - individually wrapped - delicious!
Peanut butter and jam sandwiched chopped into sections and wrapped individually - even better!

meast

Homemade medjool date flapjacks and bananas.

foggybike

apple & sultana malt loaf with peanut butter!

Paultheagle

hi everyone

a big thank you to all your replies.

i thought long about the responses and went for some granola bars (almond/chocolate) that were on sale at my local waitrose. i chose them because i could pack a few into the sides of my seat bag as well as my bar bag (they got a bit squashed but perfectly edible) - these and my 1.5 litre water bottle (along with the odd espresso and banana stop) kept me "bonk" free

5 days and 250 + miles later, i'm back from the Netherlands and had a lovely time on my first euro trip.

Mikey23

Excellent... Im surprised noone mentioned soreen!

Silly Old Hector

Any interesting photos or stories from the trip ?

drlodge

Mikey23 wrote:

Excellent... Im surprised noone mentioned soreen!

I do like a bit of soreen with my butter