The information on trains and ferries from this site is quite helpful.
There are still a few things I have questions about though that just aren't really talked about.
I'll start of simple: Food.
What sorts of foods do you buy/eat while cycle-camping? I wish I had payed more attention and written things down on the only other tour I did, but it was an organized tour with other people so I never really had to worry about day-to-day operations. Now, I'll be embarking on a long solo tour around Wales and Ireland and I've started to think about food. I'm trying to marry low cost food with healthy stuff that is also simple and easy to cook.
For breakfast, I am thinking I'll go with oatmeal. That seemed to do the trick on my first tour all those years ago and has always been a staple for my camping (non cycling) trips. Easy to carry in packets, so can buy in bulk if needs be, all you need is warm water (easiest) or milk (harder to come by) to make.
Lunch, a sandwich of some sort. Loafs of bread can be compressed nicely to fit in bags (squished bread isn't bad) and PB + J is always a good lunch for me, probably throw in a banana or apple too. Seems simple enough.
Dinner is a bit more complicated. Cooking, for starters, is possible, but its also important to refuel for the following days ride. It is the one thing I am wondering the most about at this point. I am thinking pastas - can carry a few meals worth easily as thats how come - just need to boil in water for 10 minutes. Sauce can be served cold. But I'd like some variety. What are some other good ideas for camp-stove dinners?
And Snacks - suggestions on these? I was thinking maybe some Hammer Gel, NutriGrain Bars, and small mars bars for some added energy.
Also - sports drinks. I am not sure how to approach these at this point, nor do I know the availability in the UK/Ireland. I am used to Gatorade all over the place here, but would rather be able to dilute it so it isn't so syrupy. Powdered form is usually best for that.
Any suggestions are welcome (the point of this thread).
And onto the more touchy subject - how to deal with #1 and #2.
I am actually surprised that it hasn't been touched on (in depth) on these forums. Going #1 for us guys simply means finding a quiet spot on the side of the road and pulling down the front of our shorts. My questions lies more in regards to what to do about going #2. In more rural areas, where restrooms are far between, is it more a case of finding some woods and digging a little hole to deposit in? Or do you try and find a public restroom to use - does this mean asking a place of business if you can use their bathroom? Public Restrooms, I think, aren't so common outside of touristy areas.
Just trying to answer some concerns I have about my upcoming trip!
Lets talk Food + other things
-
mcallaghan
- Posts: 252
- Joined: 10 Oct 2011, 8:54pm
- Contact:
-
ILikesToCycle
- Posts: 11
- Joined: 31 May 2012, 7:13pm
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
One thing I've used in the past is the good old Supernoodles. They are ready in 2-3 minutes and they don't taste too badly. Good old chicken were my fave. They're also very light and high in calories!
As for drinks I always take protein/energy powders!
As for drinks I always take protein/energy powders!
-
Tacascarow
- Posts: 328
- Joined: 17 Jan 2012, 8:27am
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Dried fruit & nut mixes are good for snack food, also useful to add to your oats to make them more interesting (Muesli or fruity porridge).
If you carry some flour & dried egg powder pancakes are easy & quick, but a little cooking oil is needed also.
For no 2's carry a cheap plastic or aluminium garden trowel & dig a hole.
If you carry some flour & dried egg powder pancakes are easy & quick, but a little cooking oil is needed also.
For no 2's carry a cheap plastic or aluminium garden trowel & dig a hole.
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Pasta and rice have been my main staples. The low cost (and one pan) way to enhance them is to buy a can of soup to pour into/over the rice or pasta. For a little more money, there are some decent boil-in-the-bag meals there are relatively easy to do on a camping stove. With a little forethought, and a spare pan or so, more elaborate meals are also possible. If you can build a fire, most vegetables can be cooked wrapped in foil. Potatoes are particularly nice that way.
Oatmeal (called porridge here) is a good breakfast. Dried fruit and nuts are an easy to carry enhancement. I like to stop and buy a loaf of fresh bread, when available. I look for local bakeries, or independent shops that might sell fresh, homemade. That plus some fillings or stuff to go with it make a good lunch and snacks for the day.
Powerade is usually available in powder form in big supermarkets, here. Otherwise, there are lots of variations on energy drinks. Lucozade is one, but some of theirs are carbonated, so check before you buy. Health food stores sell some powdered energy drinks that aren't as horribly sweet as gatorade, etc. But I usually just drink water most of the time. If I feel the need I mix some drink powder into my water, and have a banana.
As for other things... people aren't as sensitive about that sort of thing in rural places here. Find a toilet (or WC) if you can, pubs usually don't mind people nipping in to use the loo. Otherwise, nip behind the hedge and carry some toilet paper and/or baby wipes (best to bury it if you can, but at least avoid going near water or drainage).
edited to add: there's some discussion on a couple of other threads. Here's one... viewtopic.php?f=16&t=46148&p=379191
Oatmeal (called porridge here) is a good breakfast. Dried fruit and nuts are an easy to carry enhancement. I like to stop and buy a loaf of fresh bread, when available. I look for local bakeries, or independent shops that might sell fresh, homemade. That plus some fillings or stuff to go with it make a good lunch and snacks for the day.
Powerade is usually available in powder form in big supermarkets, here. Otherwise, there are lots of variations on energy drinks. Lucozade is one, but some of theirs are carbonated, so check before you buy. Health food stores sell some powdered energy drinks that aren't as horribly sweet as gatorade, etc. But I usually just drink water most of the time. If I feel the need I mix some drink powder into my water, and have a banana.
As for other things... people aren't as sensitive about that sort of thing in rural places here. Find a toilet (or WC) if you can, pubs usually don't mind people nipping in to use the loo. Otherwise, nip behind the hedge and carry some toilet paper and/or baby wipes (best to bury it if you can, but at least avoid going near water or drainage).
edited to add: there's some discussion on a couple of other threads. Here's one... viewtopic.php?f=16&t=46148&p=379191
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Food -
am - copious industrial strength black coffee while packing up and then tends to be multiple pastries on the road- pain raison, croissantes or whatever the equivalant is in the country I am in coupled with a few decent cups of coffee
lunch - whatever the decent bread (multigrain etc) that is local with local soft cheeses and cold meats/hard cheese and some fruit
pm - more cakes or cheesy pastry things
dinner - more or less what I eat at home but more - starter of bread and cheese or shellfish/anchovies (in southern europe) main course meat or fish butchered for camp cooking either in the shop or by myself with potatoes and vegetables to suit, rotated with mince based pasta and rice dishes, fruit to finish and washed down with copious quantities of orange juice.
late pm - a few chocolate biscuits - typically jaffa with bedtime coffee and some of the local liqueur
emergency rations - a couple of dehydrated rice dishes -two person size - typical chicken something- (about the only ones that are not like eating wet cardboard) tucked into the bottom of the clothes pannier together with the remnants of lunch tides me over
No 2
Garages or cafes- particularly if wild camping -(business and washup first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening)- in emergency then a small trowel facilitates
am - copious industrial strength black coffee while packing up and then tends to be multiple pastries on the road- pain raison, croissantes or whatever the equivalant is in the country I am in coupled with a few decent cups of coffee
lunch - whatever the decent bread (multigrain etc) that is local with local soft cheeses and cold meats/hard cheese and some fruit
pm - more cakes or cheesy pastry things
dinner - more or less what I eat at home but more - starter of bread and cheese or shellfish/anchovies (in southern europe) main course meat or fish butchered for camp cooking either in the shop or by myself with potatoes and vegetables to suit, rotated with mince based pasta and rice dishes, fruit to finish and washed down with copious quantities of orange juice.
late pm - a few chocolate biscuits - typically jaffa with bedtime coffee and some of the local liqueur
emergency rations - a couple of dehydrated rice dishes -two person size - typical chicken something- (about the only ones that are not like eating wet cardboard) tucked into the bottom of the clothes pannier together with the remnants of lunch tides me over
No 2
Garages or cafes- particularly if wild camping -(business and washup first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening)- in emergency then a small trowel facilitates
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
I dont think that people, on the whole, agree about what to eat in the house so I cant imagine much agreement of what to eat on the road.
I tend to try and buy fruit and veg at shops just prior to meals and eat most of it raw.
I see each visit to a supermarket as a chance to top up on some fresh food to eat right away and top up water bottles AND to use the toilet. Tescos cafe sell tea cheap and to my taste if the weather is too horrible to stay outside.
I will only have one cooked meal a day (not every day even) and sacrifice many things for a quick cooking time. So I tend to eat much more (wholewheat) couscous while camping than I do at home.
I am also quite fond of eating cold baked beans from the tin.
A weekly treat of a nice Chinese take away helps top up on real food.
I dont think that getting calories is a problem, the issue is more about fresh fruit and veg and a balanced diet.
I do carry a portion of couscous and a tin of tuna to ensure that I never have to go to bed with a gnawing empty stomach if I miss all the shops.
Instead of porridge, I will often use toasted oat cereals (Granola) as it is quick and cooking free but bulky and more costly. Can be done with UHT milk or dried milk, if you must.
My staple snack is Nairn's Oatcakes available in a range of flavours and in handy 50g bags inside the 200g boxes.
Back to the subject of toilets: My county of Carmarthenshire have done the inexplicable and obnoxious act of closing all public toilets over the weekend! I can not see any logic for that dumb move and some local parishes dont comply but be warned that tourists are only welcome here Mon-Fri.
I tend to try and buy fruit and veg at shops just prior to meals and eat most of it raw.
I see each visit to a supermarket as a chance to top up on some fresh food to eat right away and top up water bottles AND to use the toilet. Tescos cafe sell tea cheap and to my taste if the weather is too horrible to stay outside.
I will only have one cooked meal a day (not every day even) and sacrifice many things for a quick cooking time. So I tend to eat much more (wholewheat) couscous while camping than I do at home.
I am also quite fond of eating cold baked beans from the tin.
A weekly treat of a nice Chinese take away helps top up on real food.
I dont think that getting calories is a problem, the issue is more about fresh fruit and veg and a balanced diet.
I do carry a portion of couscous and a tin of tuna to ensure that I never have to go to bed with a gnawing empty stomach if I miss all the shops.
Instead of porridge, I will often use toasted oat cereals (Granola) as it is quick and cooking free but bulky and more costly. Can be done with UHT milk or dried milk, if you must.
My staple snack is Nairn's Oatcakes available in a range of flavours and in handy 50g bags inside the 200g boxes.
Back to the subject of toilets: My county of Carmarthenshire have done the inexplicable and obnoxious act of closing all public toilets over the weekend! I can not see any logic for that dumb move and some local parishes dont comply but be warned that tourists are only welcome here Mon-Fri.
Yma o Hyd
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Long distance walking experience here, but I cant see it differing massively for food.
I'd stop and buy food most days when possible or buy every few days and carry it when not. This does alter what you need to buy, but hard cheese, bread, tomatoes, etc. will last a few days without refrigeration.
Breakfast.
Porridge. Easy to get easy to pack down and pretty easy to make hot. Add hot chocolate powder to it if you don't have milk as it's got powdered milk in it + extra calories.
Or bread and beans and cheese.
Snacks
Cakes like Eccles cakes if you can get them. Something that dry, sweet, and calorie dense.
Tracker bars
Lunch
Sandwiches - usually hard cheese + tomatoes
Fruit
Dinner
This really depends on whether you've been able to stop in the day and buy some fresh meat or not. My staple is pasta (being part Italian and not really liking rice pretty much dictates that!) You can whip up a bolognese sauce pretty easily (especially if you use a jar of pre-made sauce) but one I always used to fall back on was a tin of tuna with pasta and cheese and a bit of olive oil. It has the benefit of being something that never goes off as well so can be carried as a backup meal. Another one we used to do a lot as its a one pan job is fried potatoes and sausages. The potatoes are the ones you get in tins and can be fried straight away after tipping away the water their in. Add beans to the frying pan ones they're all cooked as well.
Finally I'd always carry something for emergencies, kendal mint cake, glucose powder or something like that.
I'd stop and buy food most days when possible or buy every few days and carry it when not. This does alter what you need to buy, but hard cheese, bread, tomatoes, etc. will last a few days without refrigeration.
Breakfast.
Porridge. Easy to get easy to pack down and pretty easy to make hot. Add hot chocolate powder to it if you don't have milk as it's got powdered milk in it + extra calories.
Or bread and beans and cheese.
Snacks
Cakes like Eccles cakes if you can get them. Something that dry, sweet, and calorie dense.
Tracker bars
Lunch
Sandwiches - usually hard cheese + tomatoes
Fruit
Dinner
This really depends on whether you've been able to stop in the day and buy some fresh meat or not. My staple is pasta (being part Italian and not really liking rice pretty much dictates that!) You can whip up a bolognese sauce pretty easily (especially if you use a jar of pre-made sauce) but one I always used to fall back on was a tin of tuna with pasta and cheese and a bit of olive oil. It has the benefit of being something that never goes off as well so can be carried as a backup meal. Another one we used to do a lot as its a one pan job is fried potatoes and sausages. The potatoes are the ones you get in tins and can be fried straight away after tipping away the water their in. Add beans to the frying pan ones they're all cooked as well.
Finally I'd always carry something for emergencies, kendal mint cake, glucose powder or something like that.
-
Nettled Shin
- Posts: 644
- Joined: 1 Jul 2010, 10:01am
- Location: Brigadoon
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
mcallaghan wrote:Also - sports drinks. I am not sure how to approach these at this point, nor do I know the availability in the UK/Ireland. I am used to Gatorade all over the place here, but would rather be able to dilute it so it isn't so syrupy. Powdered form is usually best for that.
Cyclists grinding on for hours a day might be on of the few groups to benefit from these, but the recent Panorama program "The Truth about Sports Products" made the point that they offer no advantage to most people exercising. Graeme Obree was interviewed, and he said that he just eats a jam sandwich and water. Then a sports scientist said that there is no evidence that electrolytes improve performance, and the carbohydrate in the drink is mildly useful if you are out for 3 hours or more, but I imagine we can all think of cheaper ways of obtaining carbohydrate than a packaged sports drink.
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Electrolytes may not improve performance, but they are necessary, and more so to someone exercising because they help the body rehydrate. That said, electrolytes can be bought in drop form and added to water.
The only time I benefit from sports drinks is when I am on the verge of the bonk (or already there
). A banana and sports drink can get me to the cafe, or someplace that I can get a proper meal in me.
The only time I benefit from sports drinks is when I am on the verge of the bonk (or already there
). A banana and sports drink can get me to the cafe, or someplace that I can get a proper meal in me.“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
-
rualexander
- Posts: 2668
- Joined: 2 Jul 2007, 9:47pm
- Contact:
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Breakfasts - mostly porridge made with water and milk powder, add raisins before cooking, and a chopped banana when ready to eat. Alternative breakfast is a pastry with yoghurt and a banana.
Lunch - usual bread and cheese, pate, tomatoes, tuna etc.
Dinners - pasta, couscous, dried mash potatoes, tinned potatoes, noodles, accompanied with whatever fresh/tinned veg is available, plus maybe tuna, chopped pepperami, etc.
Lunch - usual bread and cheese, pate, tomatoes, tuna etc.
Dinners - pasta, couscous, dried mash potatoes, tinned potatoes, noodles, accompanied with whatever fresh/tinned veg is available, plus maybe tuna, chopped pepperami, etc.
-
mcallaghan
- Posts: 252
- Joined: 10 Oct 2011, 8:54pm
- Contact:
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Is it sad that I still enjoy eating ReadyBrek when I can find it here in the States?
I think Breakfast is taken care of - easiest meal of the day.
Lunch - same deal. Sandwiches of various sorts, maybe even some Cheese and Pickle to liven things up (Branston pickle that is - can occasionally find it here).
Dinner - I eat Tuna-Pasta Salad occasionally here (corn, pasta, tuna, onions) and it tastes fine cold. Possibly I can make some of that and see how long it lasts? Does anyone suggest getting tupperware to store such precooked meals in for travel?
Snacks - I am not familiar with 'cakes' you describe. The only snack-cakes I can think of over here would be TastyCakes (which are very unhealthy but oh-so-good). I am thinking some bananas here would be good as well.
Powdered Milk - I am a lactard (lactose intolerant) though the effects of Lactose are diminished, it seems, the more I active I am (same with the IBS i deal with occasionally). Not sure if there is a lactose-free powdered milk? I don't know if you get the Lactaid Brand over in the UK/Ireland, but that stuff makes me sick to my stomach (especially in pill form - makes me violently sick).
I won't feel so bad then if I have to go #2 and dig a little hole in a field somewhere. I see this as being more of an issue when WildCamping in some ones field though - does one ask said Farmer if one can use their loo or is going in the field fine?
I think Breakfast is taken care of - easiest meal of the day.
Lunch - same deal. Sandwiches of various sorts, maybe even some Cheese and Pickle to liven things up (Branston pickle that is - can occasionally find it here).
Dinner - I eat Tuna-Pasta Salad occasionally here (corn, pasta, tuna, onions) and it tastes fine cold. Possibly I can make some of that and see how long it lasts? Does anyone suggest getting tupperware to store such precooked meals in for travel?
Snacks - I am not familiar with 'cakes' you describe. The only snack-cakes I can think of over here would be TastyCakes (which are very unhealthy but oh-so-good). I am thinking some bananas here would be good as well.
Powdered Milk - I am a lactard (lactose intolerant) though the effects of Lactose are diminished, it seems, the more I active I am (same with the IBS i deal with occasionally). Not sure if there is a lactose-free powdered milk? I don't know if you get the Lactaid Brand over in the UK/Ireland, but that stuff makes me sick to my stomach (especially in pill form - makes me violently sick).
I won't feel so bad then if I have to go #2 and dig a little hole in a field somewhere. I see this as being more of an issue when WildCamping in some ones field though - does one ask said Farmer if one can use their loo or is going in the field fine?
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Soya milk and oat-milk are commonly available in supermarkets and could be a good substitute.
Though I dont like soya milk myself and oats in oat milk could be a bit too oaty.
Though I dont like soya milk myself and oats in oat milk could be a bit too oaty.
Yma o Hyd
-
rualexander
- Posts: 2668
- Joined: 2 Jul 2007, 9:47pm
- Contact:
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Without a fridge you don't want to be carrying tupperware containers with cooked pasta meals or anything like that for more than a couple of hours!
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Eccles cakes are basically a thin pastry full of a fruit mixture that is made up mostly of dried fruits, softened by baking. They are usually half way decent even when of only mediocre quality. However, they tend to made with quite a lot of butter, and brushed with milk, so probably to be avoided by someone wiht lactose intolerance. Many of the nicer things like that here will lots of butter, if not milk or cream in them. You can check the 'free from' section in larger supermarkets. They will typically have a variety of products that are free from common allergens, and some substitute items.
As far as what to do when camping in someone's field...generally either they will offer facilities, or they don't want to know.
As far as what to do when camping in someone's field...generally either they will offer facilities, or they don't want to know.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Re: Lets talk Food + other things
Eccles cakes - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eccles_cake very good from a decent bakery, and they last for ages. Butter in I may be a problem for you though.
Another one I carry around with me is a Bakewell tart - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakewell_tart though the version without icing as that gets really sticky if left in heat.
Another one I carry around with me is a Bakewell tart - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakewell_tart though the version without icing as that gets really sticky if left in heat.