[Closed] Cycle food for those without much of a sweet tooth.

Sausage Rolls! Protein & carbs in a handy sized package - you can fit two jumbos in a jersey pocket.

Or marmite sandwiches.

Electrolyte tabs to the flavour of your choice. I don't find the SIS GO tabs to be too sweet.

Biltong or Jerky, pepperami is good too. Dried fruit and nuts.

Peanut butter and strawberry jam sammich. I'm sure it was once suggested on here to then wrap it in cling film and squash it into a denser, easier to handle size.

I’d much rather eat a Scotch Egg, or Pork Pie than a cake, chocolate bar, or energy bar.

Then do that. There's much talk of 'sports nutrition' and 'hydration strategies' but, unless you're an athlete working on the absolute rivet, it's basically overcomplicated marketing bunk that's trying to get yo to buy particular products. You just need food and water, the body will very cleverly get what it needs from that (and if you read any of the stuff about the TdF teams and what they eat through the day, there's lots of ciabattas, rice cakes, that kind of stuff, they're not stuffing energy gels down their neck constantly).

I did my first RideLondon with a couple of cheese rolls, some fig rolls and, I think, an apple in my jersey pockets. Admittedly I grabbed a flapjack thing and a banana from one of the feed stations too. Bottles had water in them.

And why shouldn't you be knackered after an 80 mile ride? Although, if you've had a couple of pints (again, why shouldn't you) you will need to drink more (water, not pints 😉 ) to counteract the dehydration effects of the booze.

Pork & pickle pies are amazing IMO, the pickle makes them much easier to eat on the move.

Peanut butter and chocolate spread on a wrap is good, particularly with a less sweet chocolate spread such as the Aldi nutoka one and chunky peanut butter.

Another vote for SIS elecrolyte tablets - I find the pink grapefruit ones best, as I'm also not a fan of excessive sweet stuff when riding.

Make up some trail mix? Salted peanuts, cashews, raisins, mini pretzels etc in a bag. Don't put them in a little Tupperware at the top of a camelback though, as the rattling will drive you insane!

Thanks for the suggestions.

I could definitely go for sausage rolls.

Getting a cage, bottle and some of the SiS Powder in Orange.

Feel a bit happier just eating what I fancy now. A think a few Sausage Rolls, and I'll have a look for some Pork & Pickle, and try those.

I was going to order powder, but thinking about it, it's not something I can refill with easy - so will look at the tabs.

All my rides are fuelled by cheese sandwiches. Sometimes the odd flapjack will creep in if i'm feeling like a pro.

Drink? Ribena every time.

If you're currently using a Camelbak, keep using it, as it allows you to take a decent amount of fluid rather than the relatively tiny amount you get in a bottle, and don't bother with the tabs/powder. Or, if you must, have a bottle with a tab in but keep the Camelbak for the bulk of your fluid.

Your knackerdness is very probably down to not drinking enough rather than not eating enough. And you only need to drink water.

I generally do long rides with pork pies. I'm a bit more vegetarian these days though so I'm experimenting with hard boiled eggs and crisps. Crisps aren't as packable as pork pies.
I usually put a zero sugar electrolyte tab in my water bottle, a weak mix.

Mini pork pies. Cooked new potatoes. Mini Soreen malt loaves aren't ridiculously sweet.

And you only need to drink water.

I get cramps if I only drink water, but then I sweat like a proverbial thing that sweats a lot.

Cheese Sandwich - I could definitely eat that.

Yes, I'll keep using Camelback. I've got a low capacity and a high capacity one, so I'll use the high for longer rides. I got a fill up in a pub yesterday, and they kindly asked if I wanted ice in it as well. Damn, that was so nice. I'll be asking for it again.

When I did the Gran Fondo ride, I took no drink, and it was 37 miles before I got to a pub. I was feeling dehydrated. Not sensible I know.

Having seen grizzled audaxers banging out hundreds of kilometres eating whatever crap is in the pub/cafe/services, eat whatever you fancy.

Fwiw I find Veloforte bars not too sweet, but I usually get a savoury "need" on most long rides.

Some good ideas in this book

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Feed-Zone-Portables-Cookbook-Go/dp/1937715000

Rice cakes work well. Easy to digest carbs.
I experimented with mini new potatoes with a bit of blue cheese inside. Works well.

Sausage rolls and things work but they can be a bit hard to digest.

You don't need specialist food though. Wander around the snack food sections of a supermarket and see what looks nice, would be edible on the bike and survive in a bag or pocket.

Peanut butter and marmite sandwiches cut into quarters.

Hot cross buns.

+1 for mini pork and pickle pies.
Nuts are pretty good - as suggested above - make your own 'trail mix' with all the stuff you like in it.
Bananas are great, as are peanut butter sandwiches.
Dried dates and other dried fruit are packed full of energy.

I used to get pretty stressed about taking the right stuff with me on longer rides, but having done a few multi-day trips (London - Mt Snowdon, London - Paris, etc) where you end up eating anything and everything from salami/cheese for Breakfast to Magnum ice creams from petrol garages i think eat what you like unless you're a pro athlete..

The holy grail is food that is moist (doesn't dry your mouth out) yet portable. I find pork pies better at the moistness than sausage rolls because of the jelly component. Ham sandwiches made with packet bread and butter also work well, the cure of the ham retains moisture, cheaper ham more so. I mean British ham, not Spanish style Jamon, which is dry.

Thanks for all advice.

I've probably watched too much GCN, who I don't think will ever be giving a thumbs up to Sausage Rolls and Pork pies.

Got a Cage, bottle, and some Berry SiS tabs ordered. Probably not here for my next ride though. Might be tomorrow, since I'm not working, it looks like it'll be a bit cooler, and it's rain forecast Sat & Sunday.

Make up some trail mix? Salted peanuts, cashews, raisins, mini pretzels etc in a bag

This in a stem or top tube bag works well as it's right there ready for a one-handed grab without the faff of stopping to open a camelbak, etc. e.g.

I have a very sweet tooth, but no longer take much sweet stuff for longer rides as the sugar peaks don't help and I feel the craving for salty/savoury stuff.

Another big yes for a SIS tab in a bottle, not too sweet and helps when you're sweaty. I keep one or two bottles for tabs as the aftertaste is there for ages, and also don't put them in the camelbak.

As somebody mentioned above, boiled or roasted new potatoes are my new go-to snack. Put a bit of salt and pepper on them and stick them in a silicone food pouch in a jersey pocket or frame bag. They are good for energy and pretty healthy too, and they fill you up well.

Also a fan of peanut butter or marmite in sarnies - or preferably a bagel for some extra energy. Quite like almonds to munch on as a little and often snack.

I'm not a great fan of SIS gels but I had one at the Kingston stop on the Ride London 100 and it got me to the finish without any trouble including the kicker up into Wimbledon. Before Kingston I was struggling, so having a gel for emergency use is probably a good idea on a long ride.

I prefer to take actual fruit for something sweet/with sugars in, I reckon mini apples are actually better for jersey pocket portability and munching on the go (probably not to everyone's taste) and/or picking blackberries from hedgerows. I do take the odd flapjack too.

As for savoury stuff, mini sausage rolls make sense as, again, you can pop one in yor gob on the go. I'm also a bit weird and like taking ~1" chunks of Chorizo sausage (peeled of their 'skin', wrapped in foil and discretely taped to the back of the bar or on the TT) again pop it in you gob and chew away on all that delicious oily dead pig and paprika.

I like Cashews and (already shelled) pistachio nuts, but stuffing down a handful of nuts on the go can be a bit of a shambles, if I take nuts I tends carry them in a nice open topped feed bag so I can shove in a hand and grab some...

I prefer to take actual fruit for something sweet/with sugars in

Yeah, I'm coming round to this. I took a satsuma/clementine/some kind of little orange thing out on a ride last week and it was blimmin lovely, really refreshing.

having a gel for emergency use is probably a good idea on a long ride.

Doesn't need to be a gel, just something packed with sugar, so jelly babies/haribo/sweets, or indeed an apple.

I wish I could eat fruit, but I just don't like it.

Doubt I've eaten an Apple, Orange or Banana in 20 years. It's a bit of a shame really. Only thing I can manage is Melon with Parma/Serrano ham, or Rasberries, but then I have to buy cream. Like I said, I wish it weren't so.

I don't know why I don't like Chorizo or Pepperoni, as I like other continental cured meat, but I don't. I don't like pork pie with cured meat either - much prefer Melton Mowbray none cured pork.

The oily dead pig did sound delicious though. I do like Cashews and Pistachio nuts, so could try that.

Couple more suggestions

Sweet potato chilli cheese wraps (go heavy on the chilli)

Carbohydrate + hydration powder in your drink instead of plain hydration tabs.

Little and often

Nuts.

If you are going savoury then remember to eat lots of small amounts and to eat before you are hungry. complex carbs take longer to get into your system

also don't forget the big dinner the night before and proper breakfast - thats what will be fuelling much of your ride

Gels and the like get into your system quickly. a packet of jelly babies is much cheaper and basically pure glucose so a good emergency fuel

Gels and the like get into your system quickly. a packet of jelly babies is much cheaper and basically pure glucose so a good emergency fuel

Yep, but we all know that if we have stuff like jelly babies around the house they'll either get munched by the kids or yourself, but you aren't going to feel peckish and nip out to the garage to chow down on a gel 🙂

Thinking about it, other savoury snacks to consider (cold):

Falafel
Empanada
chimichanga
Samosa
Pakora

all worth considering?

+1 (thickly-spread) peanut butter sarnie. Has been my default for many decades. Not planning on changing it anytime soon. Veggie samosas get an outing sometimes but they tend to explode/scatter unless contained in something heavy/bulky/annoying (delete as applicable)

Depends on the sausage rolls, I find sometimes (if cold) they can be a bit too stodgy to eat and they dry your mouth. I find scotch eggs and pork pies better in those situations. Just eat the food you like, but do it in smaller amounts and regularly. That'll be fine

IHN's suggestion of eating regular food is very sensible. I think like many folk I've been lured into the marketing of "You must eat special space nutrition bars" on your bicycling riding. It's mostly all crap, and now I stop for a sarnie and some nuts and a banana if I'm doing longer rides. There's these things called "shops" they have a huge range of stuff so you don't need to carry it all with you. There's probably one near you.

Although this nugget...

Doubt I’ve eaten an Apple, Orange or Banana in 20 years.

Sort of fills me with inexplicable horror...You know that humans are essentially supposed to be powered by basically just eating  fruit and veg, right?

If you eat proper food you won't need carb drink as well,just stick to water. Also if you are doing long rides then a bag and camelback gets annoying, bottles are way more comfortable and lighter

Mini pork pies, fig rolls and cherry n almond flapjacks.

Cycle food for those without much of a sweet tooth.

I'm not an expert, but something involving peanuts and salty-glue-type substance (not semen)?

One sweet I do like, is fruit jellies

York fruits. Rolls Royce of fruit jellies

I like to get bread rolls thickly buttered and some of them I put cheddar cheese, sliced onion and salad cream. The rest are grilled streaky bacon, peanut butter and apricot jam. Wrap up in cling film and the more squashed they get the tastier they are.
Not only do they have a good mix of carbs, protein and fat, they're very tasty, as sometimes as you get more drained your appetite disappears. You never don't want one of these though!

Odd 504 Bad gateway double post!

i have been doing a fair few longer miles no i have retired. do a 60, 70 or 80 miler once a week with a few smaller rides too. about 130 a week in general.

on the longer ride i set off at 6am and aim to get to a greggs somewhere about 3 hours in.
bacon and sausage roll and coffee fuels me for the return home.

Not a grizzled audaxer but have done a few. Current favourites for 200s are hummus and rocket sarnies, rice pudding drunk straight from the tub, always ice creams, full-sugar squash in the bottles (no need for the artificial crap that is no-added sugar, ever), and then water after I’ve drunk those. Pork pies, bag of salt and vinegar crisps. All good. I’m another like @ton who enjoys a Greggsfast and a doughnut at the same time. Jelly beans are my go to for a sugar kick, also tend to get less mushed in a pocket or bag. Homemade flapjacks are good too. Oh and if it’s really hot or I’m flagging a lot I’ll buy a can of coke, drink half then put the rest in a bottle with water to ride with.

Grated carrot mixed with crunchy peanut butter. Add jalepenos/hot sauce or a dollop of houmous bit of salad, whatever takes your fancy.

Wrap it tightly in a wrap.

Its dense but the carrot keeps it from clagging. You can eat it on the go especially is you wrap it in tinfoil. Protein, cans sugars are all there. But most of all its so tasty it a regular normal lunch.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions.

I have to take stuff with me, because most of the longer rides(and shorter for that matter), are on canal banks, so I don't pass shops.

Going for a longer ride tomorrow(77 I think it is). Not 100% decided what to take yet, but I've bought some Pork Pies, and some nice Lion Brand Football Sweets, and midget gems for emergencies(I'll look out for York Fruits). I might have a pub lunch at my destination.

I've ordered a cage & bottle so I can take electrolyte tabs(hope they turn up today).

Seeing it was cooler yesterday, I did a 17 mile blast to a craft pub on the canal for 2 pints, then a 14 mile blast to the next pub for 2 pints, then a 10 mile blast to my home town, for a couple more and a pizza. Over that sort of distance I'm fine. I just know how badly I've limped home from 80 mile rides in the past, with just zero left in the tank - and that's what I'm hoping to avoid.

At the minute, I'm thinking a couple of rolls, BLT maybe, a couple of Scotch Eggs, and a bag of crisps for tomorrow.

 I just know how badly I’ve limped home from 80 mile rides in the past, with just zero left in the tank

If you doing 40 miles of flat riding on 6 pints and a pizza, I'm not surprised you can't ride for 80 miles

I also struggle with being disciplined enough to get by with just using “real food”, as I find the more tired I get the worse planning decisions I make.

Did a 113 mile ride around Essex yesterday, which was almost pleasant towards the end in comparison to some of my early attempts by sticking to having something like a bit of flapjack/sandwich/sausage roll or an energy gel every 30 minutes if I want something as a quick hit.

Used two water bottles on the bike which I refilled along the way, must have had 7 in total. Wouldn’t want a hydration pack on longer rides, the extra heat and chafing just aren’t worth it.

If you want something high calorie and easy to take, then those peanut butter sachets are good, they're called 'Fuel' Peanut Butter, easy to use and store, other option is jerky, but a bit drier and stuck in the teeth!

If you doing 40 miles of flat riding on 6 pints and a pizza, I’m not surprised you can’t ride for 80 miles

I'd be having the beer and pizza on a Friday anyway so much better incorporated into a ride. The last 10 miles home is hilly. Only rides I can do that have climbing are up to Tissington Trail, or over to Rutland Water.

 

Oh, sorry my mistake. My remark should be; if you ride 40 mils fuelled by 6 pints and a pizza, no wonder you can't ride 80 miles.

Better?

Oh, sorry my mistake. My remark should be; if you ride 40 mils fuelled by 6 pints and a pizza, no wonder you can’t ride 80 miles.

Better?

Sounds the same to me :). I can ride 80 miles, did a 98 mile ride last year. I just don't want to finish with no energy or power, like I have in the past. Since I've neglected both hydration and food in the past, was just looking for a bit of advice to try to avoid that.

Since I’ve neglected both hydration and food in the past, was just looking for a bit of advice to try to avoid that.

I would murder for chips, I love pizza to death, I'd eat ice cream as I slowly died of hypothermia. I'll eat anything savoury. Crisps are gods wafers etc.

I'm not trying to be wide but...

It kinda sounds like your issue might just be nutrition full stop. Eat healthier be fitter suffer less.

6pints and a pizza is unlikely to be ridden off by a wee 40mile pootle. Crisps and pork pies are pretty salty and that's going to make you thirsty so you're going to want to drink more.

I'm also not suggesting gels and stuff.

Just take some simple not fatty non greasy non overly salted sandwiches filled with stuff that's going to provide you with energy. And a banana because you're an adult and you are capable of eating something "you don't like".

Carrot and oat savoury flapjack are my go to snack - very easy to make and flexible recipe.

Also pitta bread with nut butter + marmite (sometimes add cucumber and tomato for extra flavour/moistness!)

Almost foraging time soon - apples and blackberries a plenty (and the rarer plums)

I would murder for chips, I love pizza to death, I’d eat ice cream as I slowly died of hypothermia. I’ll eat anything savoury. Crisps are gods wafers etc.

I’m not trying to be wide but…

It kinda sounds like your issue might just be nutrition full stop. Eat healthier be fitter suffer less.

6pints and a pizza is unlikely to be ridden off by a wee 40mile pootle. Crisps and pork pies are pretty salty and that’s going to make you thirsty so you’re going to want to drink more.

I’m also not suggesting gels and stuff.

Just take some simple not fatty non greasy non overly salted sandwiches filled with stuff that’s going to provide you with energy. And a banana because you’re an adult and you are capable of eating something “you don’t like”.

I am an unhealthy weight. I've put on loads during Covid, and I was too heavy before it.

I do want to lose weight, I enjoy it when my speed improves etc.

I'm not prepared to give up what I like for it, so it'll take longer to get where I want to be. I'm pretty much starting from a lower base this year too, as I'm normally training to ski during the winter - but obviously not this year.

So whilst you're correct, getting fitter and losing weight will help - it just wasn't what I was asking. As I said, I've not taken nutrition or hydration on rides at all seriously before - and it's my opinion It's made me arrive back with little energy left.

Just for your info. According to Garmin, I burned 2099 Calories. My beers were 1400 Calories, my Pizza likely 1200 - 1500. I probably had about 400 Calories the whole day, so I'll still lose weight, and have lost 6kg last 2 months. Still a long way to go though.

What counts as a Pootle - I went as fast as I could? I absolutely loved the ride, and all stops I had.

I do it to enjoy it, and all I'm asking is how to get home from a long with some energy left. I'm not after training and nutrition advice.

This stuff is delicious and super-handy to carry about the person:

Horrified no mention of Soreen Maltloaf? Another rider who will eat sugar stuff but try to avoid can't recall last time used a gel but a kit kit gives me a full on lust..

So maltloaf, cheese spread in quashed down granary rolls or in rice crackers, oatcake biscuits things, salty crisps

If missed a cafe stop then might dig out a cliff bar and eat half and the other half later

Regret any grabbed meat snacks...last mistake on cold wet day and cafe shut was a battered sausage from a service station...tasted great but gut didn't appreciate

Packs, pitta bread with nut butter sounds so wrong.😀

Sorry if my post came a toss arsy.

It wasn't meant to.

I'm the heaviest I've ever been and struggling to shift it but I know that just knocking crap on the head will make me feel better. Way better than the junk does.

Try the carrot and peanut butter wrap and done of the other suggestions plus a pork pie. See how it goes?

Absolutely. Love in bit of Peanut butter and jam.

Sorry if my post came a toss arsy.

It wasn’t meant to.

No worries.

I'm actually just going to take a few Tuna and Mayonnaise rolls, a couple of Scotch Eggs, and a packet of crisps. I'll take some Jelly sweets, but doubt I'll touch them. I got my bottle, cage and Electrolyte Tabs.

If you guys had The Dragon at Willington, and Zamanis Pizza Restaurant nearby, you'd all want to go

😉

Think I’ve just found the perfect low fat all-protein sandwich/wrap/pocket.

As mentioned, my go-to mid-ride food (discounting pub snacks) has always been peanut butter sarnie. Now on a weight-loss push and decided back in April to cut out bread it’s been challenging to find an economical and tasty protein meal now my riding is picking up again.

Then today discovered a one-ingredient flatbread! Gluten/wheat-free and oil-free. It’s so simple it’s mad. Cooks in 2 mins and spreads nicely with peanut butter.

All you need is 250ml red lentils, 500ml water, electric blender, non-stick pan (or parchment paper and oven tray)

I added half teaspoon of salt to the batter and some nutritional yeast to get my B12 also. Cooked up a plain one first to try it out and it’s perfect with the p/butter.

Now just need to figure out in what shape to fold them for optimal ride-resistance 🙂

Make a batch. Spread. Fold. Freeze.

Fill boots:

Cold pizza.

The breakfast of the righteous, and fits perfectly in a rear pocket.

That feedzone portables book is great and has loads of good ideas and tips.

Tortilla wraps are better than sarnies in my opinion as you can fill them with anything, go sloppier and easier to eat than a sarnie and they fit in back pockets more easily.

I personally don't see what's wrong with the OP's original nutrition plan.

80 mile ride? 40 miles, then pub, beer and a meal. Another 40 miles. Home.

You may be tired when you get home because you just rode for 80 miles?

and all I’m asking is how to get home from a long with some energy left. I’m not after training and nutrition advice.

Sooo, you want to know how to ride further and feel less tired and what's best to eat to achieve that goal, while at the same time, don't want advice on how to do that..?

Cool.

I make my own energy bar/ flap Jack thing. Mainly oats and use apple juice to bind together. I tend to add some blended pumpkin and/or sunflower seeds, do it in two layers with some frozen fruit in the middle and then bake till brown. You can experiment with adding more or less golden syrup to taste.