Cycling UK Forum

What do people think are the most effective ways to keep fuelled up on a long ride? I've found what I believe to be relatively low cost solutions. I note some dedicated energy bars and fluids can be very pricey indeed.

Ideally, I make my own flapjacks with seed or nut butter in. Otherwise, I buy some and have a small meal at the cafe stop. I don't really like the processed sports junk foods.

Bananas, sarnies and a cake stop

Depends what you call long. I usually have coffee and a snack every 50k and a meal every 100. Sunday club events usually have a control with coffee & cake every 25 (!)

Stroop Wafels from Lidl. 185 calories each.

I'd splash out on one of the powders to add to water, simply because it means you take on some carbs every time you sip your water. Convenience. For solid food, the stuff you can get at cafe stops, i.e. real food. Beans on toast, or whatever. And cereal bars of your choice in the bag just in case you get hungry between stops.

Nothing for me, do 100miles with just eggs and butter for brekkie a couple of hours before

ianrobo wrote:Nothing for me, do 100miles with just eggs and butter for brekkie a couple of hours before

I'd never make 100 miles on that! I'd be lucky to make 50!

Vorpal wrote:

ianrobo wrote:Nothing for me, do 100miles with just eggs and butter for brekkie a couple of hours before

I'd never make 100 miles on that! I'd be lucky to make 50!

it is the power of fat adaption but means a strong desire to really cut the carbs as I discussed on other threads.

ianrobo wrote:

Vorpal wrote:

ianrobo wrote:Nothing for me, do 100miles with just eggs and butter for brekkie a couple of hours before

I'd never make 100 miles on that! I'd be lucky to make 50!

it is the power of fat adaption but means a strong desire to really cut the carbs as I discussed on other threads.

Maybe you have some camel DNA!

Heltor Chasca wrote:Stroop Wafels from Lidl. 185 calories each.

will try those wafel things; currently using some new sainsbury's strawberry cake bars which seem to be very high in sugar/carbs; I was thinking of rides up to about 50 miles (I'm a relative novice)

I think energy bars and fluids are expensive, taste bad and probably have a load of chemicals in them.

Instead I go for bananas , dates and mixed nuts / raisins and flapjacks.

Up to fifty miles !!! . . . . .
You should not need anything except water to drink.

Anyone selling food or junk-food or "sports nutrition" will be spending £££s to persuade you that their product will save you from a near-death experience.
And the customer pays for the advertising.

Such are the ways of the world.

I carry LIDL's Fruit Bars 128 calories/bar. Box of 8 for around a pound. They are like jam with a soft baked mush around it. Probably meant for kids breakfasts but I can eat them anytime.
Proper food, if I can find it, takes preference though.

Mrs R2's Mueseli bars without added* sugar:-
one 397g can of condensed milk
250g rolled oats
75g of prunes and dried apricots
100g dried cranberries
125g mixed seeds
125g cashews or unsalted peanuts.
preheat oven to 130deg C /gas mark 1to2 and oil a baking tray
Warm the condensed milk
Mix all the other ingredients and then add the C/milk,fold it with a spatula
Spread the mix into the tin and press down and even out with the spatula or hands
Bake for an hour,leave for about 15mins to cool,no longer,then cut into portions.
Rocket fuel
*there's sugar in the condensed milk but not much