is it worth taking cooking gear?

[bigjim]

... I buy evening meals and use supermarkets for lunch. Plus eat wild food available along the road. See my blog.

oh raw slugs/snails/ car creamed snakes & hedgehogs?

Mmmmmm

[PH]

IMO, cycle camping isn't a single activity but a mixture of the two components. How you mix them depends on your interests which may vary between tours, it'll also be influenced by who you're travelling with if anyone. I'll carry a Trangia with enough kit for a full meal (Usually shared, both the carrying and the meal), or a Jetboil with teabags, or no cooking kit at all. I've not always got it right, but it's far more likely for me to get home and regret carrying more than I need, than to regret not taking something.

[bikepacker]

Like many others I know spending the evening cooking and eating ones meal is part of the leisurely end to a day's cycling. Also my cooking facilities are need to supply my bodies requirement for many cups of tea. But I do question the OP need to cook breakfast. I have never bothered to cook a breakfast as a large bowl of cereal is suffice.

[psmiffy]

yes - but its very much a matter for yourself to answer

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=274354&v=1y

[Trigger]

Cooking my own snap is half of the fun of camping for me, plus my cook kit weighs nowt so it's a no brainer. If you're any sort of cook at home then knocking up decent quality fresh meals on-site isn't very difficult at all with some planning.

Plus for me camping is a cheap holiday, I don't see the point of spending loads of cash on all my meals out for a tour, seems like a waste of time, but if the money isn't an issue then I see no problem.

Although, breakfast could be a challenge- finding somewhere anything above your typical greasy spoon standard isn't always possible, especially close to the site. I can knock up a fried breakfast with better quality ingredients than you'll likely see at a salmonella wagon at the side of the road, or greasy spoon cafe.

[robert11]

I went on some long tours (+ 8 weeks) when I was a bit younger I never regretted carrying my Gaz head and some alloy pans.

You soon tire of cafe food and cheap takeaway. Once you get organized it is surprising what you can do in on pot and a frying pan.

There is nothing nicer than putting up your tent, preparing a fresh meal and opening a beer or bottle of wine.
Breakfast can be just a cup of real ( if a little gritty) coffee or a full English breakfast.
I used to stop mid afternoon for tea and biscuits or cake on the side of the road usually with million dollar views.!
apart from the normal stuff carry
A small sharp knife
Salt and Pepper
A little oil.
Tea and coffee
A few spices you like
Some dried herbs. Not one packet of mixed herbs.

Have fun:))

[bigjim]

Funny how we are conditioned to warm, cooked food.
Fresh raw food is so much better for us I'm told. I sometimes bring a stove when using B&Bs or hotels as you save a lot of money making a meal in your room. Nice to sit on the balcony in the morning and have breakfast that you have knocked up yourself.

[mercalia]

any one know of a portable breadmaker that can run on petrol/gas/jet engine fuel /or a dynamo? I do like my fresh bread when camping...

[khain]

After my last tour I'm definitely coming round to the idea that cooking gear isn't worth it, except for long or remote trips. Obtaining fuel is a hassle and cooking is quite time consuming, particularly if you use a spirit burner or solid fuel, and gas is expensive. Even making a quick brew in the morning means you'll be packing up twenty minutes later. Add porridge and it's more like an hour. If you take cooking gear you also really need to discipline yourself about buying food to avoid overloading. After a few weeks on the road I usually end up carrying ludicrous amounts of food.

If you're going places where you can easily obtain food I wouldn't bother with cooking stuff. If you're going into more remote places then you probably can't avoid carrying it.

I would try touring without it and if you really feel you need it go for a cheap stove. Take the least kit you can get away with.

[horizon]

IMO, cycle camping isn't a single activity but a mixture of the two components. How you mix them depends on your interests which may vary between tours,

Exactly. The OP hasn't said they're going camping but going touring. Cooking in the open is arguably one of the joys of camping but cooking for oneself isn't an essential part of touring. In fact it can be a bind. So, to answer the OP's question, it's only worth it if it's what you want to do. I think cycle camping and cycle touring with a tent are two different things.

[stephenjubb]

any one know of a portable breadmaker that can run on petrol/gas/jet engine fuel /or a dynamo? I do like my fresh bread when camping...

you did ask!

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/ ... tback-Oven

[psmiffy]

I think if you actually have to ask the question then you probably already know what the answer is - best thing is to test the hypothesis - if you are wrong its dead easy to pop into somewhere and rectify the situation