Century food on a budget

[Melalvai]

What inexpensive food should I take on a century?

I've been browsing some of the threads to answer this, but haven't come up with quite the right answer for me. I'm not going to buy Clif bars, speciality powders, or anything else I can't find in the grocery store.

I know from my 1st century that Gatorade is a good thing and I have plenty of that. Trail mix, not as great. Good for salt & sugar but too much protein.

I'm happy to make my own stuff if you have recipes. I have a couple weeks so I can squeeze some cooking time in.

[Dianyla]

I know you said you didn't want to buy stuff, but... I find that grocery stores have the highest prices for clif bars/etc type products. Costco has big boxes of Larabars for a good price. Also, Trader Joe's has good cheap nuts, dried fruit, and other bars.

ETA: Also, if this is a supported century ride, I would imagine they'll supply food at the rest stops. Though, it can really vary and if you have specific dietary needs or preferences you'll be better off self-supporting.

[Fredwina]

Fig newtons, The little six Packs of Peanut butter or cheese crackers, Snack Cakes(like Hostess or Little Debbie)

[indysteel]

I would suggest raisins or other dried fruit, cookies, peanut butter and jelly/honey sandwiches, a trail mix that doesn't have a lot, if any, nuts (if the protein bothers you), Chex mix, cereal bars, Payday candybars (although, again, the protein may bother you) and, of course, bananas. I sometimes made oatmeal cookies with raisins or dates and take those on a ride with me. I just follow the recipe on the Quaker Oats package. I also have a recipe for Oatmeal and Apricot cookies that is very yummy and easy. PM me if you'd like it.

I understand your desire not to spend a lot of money on things like Clif Bars and the like. I don't buy a lot of that stuff either. My only comment, however, is that the longer and hotter the ride, the more your stomach may have a hard time digesting "real food," especially as the ride wears on. Gels and other simple-sugar formulations (like Clif Blocs) can be rather helpful--if not necessary--in that regard. I've had a few tough rides this year where just the thought of eating something too substantial made me sick to my stomach. With that in mind, I almost always pack a bag or two of Clif Blocs and some gels just in case regular food doesn't agree with me that day. I don't always end up reaching for it, but it's nice to have it as backup on supported rides.

Good luck with your century!

Kate

[meridian]

I second all the things already listed. I personally go for power bars, fig newtons, peanut butter crackers, animal crackers, oreos, bananas, and a mix of peanuts and raisins.

A pitstop for a quick Subway turkey sandwich around mile 60 is always a good addition for me too =)

After the 2/3 or 3/4 mark I don't like solid food. I keep strawberry/vanilla power gels for that leg of the ride.

[maillotpois]

Peanut butter and banana sandwiches. You can also make my fave: PB/AB and banana (peanut butter, apple butter and banana).

Bagels

Pretzels

V8

Trail mix

[nicole309]

I like those little Twizzler nibs or jelly beans for a little something every 10 to 15 minutes to prevent my body from energy crash.

[GLC1968]

My favorite hot weather cycling food are peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets. They don't melt. They are carbolicious with just a little fat and protien for staying power. They are salty, and they are easy on the stomach (for me). This container is like $4 and will last me for weeks (if I hide them from DH!).

http://www.cvs.com/Assets/images_product_large/819607.jpg

If it's a self-supported century - I've found that buying the sports drink powders and carrying that instead of the actual liquid is really helpful. It's lighter for carrying long distances when it's in powder form and it's cheaper to get water at random country stores than it is to buy more gatorade.

I also like taking grapes for my long rides. Sometimes I just want to eat real fruit, and grapes are weather proof and they leave nothing to discard. :)

[Meg McKilty]

Chewy trail mix bars. They are cheap (Nature Valley or the house brand), and in the sun they get gooey enough so that you can take a small bite and not have crumbs everywhere!
The regular granola bars are excellent, too. I do perfer Nature Valley, but watch-out- they sometimes use hidden trans fats in a few select bars.

Also, I fully endorse the powder mixes, single servings. I love them, and asking for ice and/or water is easy at backwoods stores.

[Melalvai]

Thanks, these are some good suggestions.
Being on a budget, I'm not doing a supported century. Can't afford the fees. I'm just happy to have a riding buddy! :)

[Dianyla]

Oh, I just remembered the Favorite Convenience Store Foods (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=5677) thread. Might give you some more ideas. :)

[Zen]

From the organic market bulk aisle may I recommend what they call Chunks Of Energy. They come in different combinations of ingredients but the Very Berry has honey, sunflower seeds, peanuts, sesame seeds, tofu powder, raisins, brown rice bran, sea salt, craisins, cranberry juice concentrate , sunflower oil, blueberry pieces, elderberry juice concentrate and vanilla exrtact.

It looks like the suet cakes for the birdfeeder but chock full of good stuff. $6.99/lb

I'm partial to Twinkies too. They make me happy:)

[echidna]

Poptarts!!!!
About 200 kcal, high carb, low fat, low protein (can be a good thing, really), and they're SHINY :D

[crazycanuck]

May I suggest bananas, raisins and a jam sandwich.

c

[SouthernBelle]

At home I have a recipe for oatmeal bars. Someone posted a similar recipe here last fall. A search should turn it up. They're also good for breakfast!

[anakiwa]

Can't say enough about peanut butter and jelly for really long workouts...

[Melalvai]

I made granola based on one of the suggestions, but ran out of oatmeal so I couldn't make the oatmeal apricot cookies yet.

Next question is, how to transport food. I have a big rack trunk with unzippable panniers which will hold plenty of food. But I want to keep some food within reach so I can eat on the bike. I don't have a bento box or handlebar bag, or money to buy anything, so the best I've come up with is put a tupperware sandwich container under the straps on top of the rack trunk, and every time we stop for water, add food to that. It might fall out but probably not, the roads are smooth. I can easily reach back and grab granola or orange slices or a pbj.

[Zen]

... But I want to keep some food within reach so I can eat on the bike.

Why not your jersey pockets?

[Melalvai]

I don't have a jersey. I just wear regular clothes. Well, cutoff jeans and a tshirt.

A few reasons I don't have "real" bike clothes.
1.) Limited money (hence the subject line, "Century food on a budget")
2.) More important bike things to spend my money on
3.) I get enough harassment as it is.
4.) I don't like the look. It seems, without meaning to offend anyone, a bit snobbish? Does that make sense? I haven't thought about that too much yet, so please don't take offense until I've figured out how I really feel. :)

[Deanna]

I have a friend who brings fried egg sandwiches. He's quite the rider distance wise.

Have you done a long distance in cut-off jeans before? If you don't want to go all the way to biking specific, you might want to consider a lighter fabric short with smaller seams.

[Eden]

I don't have a jersey. I just wear regular clothes. Well, cutoff jeans and a tshirt.

A few reasons I don't have "real" bike clothes.
1.) Limited money (hence the subject line, "Century food on a budget")
2.) More important bike things to spend my money on
3.) I get enough harassment as it is.
4.) I don't like the look. It seems, without meaning to offend anyone, a bit snobbish? Does that make sense? I haven't thought about that too much yet, so please don't take offense until I've figured out how I really feel. :)

I can certainly understand being on a budget, but when you get your first really big saddle sore/blister from wearing cut off jeans cycling a century you may change your mind about cycling shorts..... Really, even if you don't want to wear bike shorts I would definitely look for something with less of an aggresive seam than blue jean cutoffs.
I think most of us were probably a bit shy to get into cycling kit when we first started, but the more you ride the more you realize that there are reasons for each of those pieces of clothing. Certainly you can do a century without purchasing any of those things, but you will be more comfortable doing it if you do. You don't have to go out and buy some team kit reproduction, splashed with ads and rainbow colored. You can still be conservative, but padded shorts (even under baggies or baggies with liners if you wish) and materials that wick away sweat (sports t's work fine, but I would miss the pockets) will go a long way towards making your century a more pleasurable experience.

[nicole309]

Well, I have to say when I started biking I thought all the clothes were ridiculous as well. I rode a Mt. Bike for years without all the gear. I will agree that the stuff is ridiculously expensive and quite frankly, UGLY!!:D All those bright colors!
But....
The more I ride the more I realize the convenience of it all. I know that I don't like having my girly bits rubbed raw, so I did get some bike shorts. I also realized that I didn't really need all that padding, just something free of seems that rub. So, I buy tri shorts, which are way cheaper and the Sugoi ones I have are nice and soft inside.
Then I realized how nice it would be to grab a quick snack without stopping my bike and became jealous of other riders jersey pockets. I still couldn't imagine wearing one of those horrible polyester jerseys however. One day I was in a bike store and they had a biking vest with a big rear pocket for $9.99. Can't beat that. Now I just wear that over my regular merino wool t-shirts.
I still don't buy all the fancy food. Most that I have tried just makes me nauseous anyway!!
Good luck finding what works for you.

[Melalvai]

I made the oatmeal cookies and the granola, and managed to squeeze a shopping trip in between payday (Friday) and the century (Sunday). In addition to the homemade food, I had fig newtons, pre-peeled orange, banana, cherry tomatoes in a glass jar, sun chips, gatorade, m&m's. Filled up my trunk entirely, and turning my trunk around backward made it so I could reach food easily. I did spend money on a coke & hashbrown at McD, mmm, it tasted SO good. I had the perfect amount of food for 100 miles.

But I stopped after mile 80 because I knew I could do the whole 100 and I had nothing to prove. :) Well, I was tired, and if you've been following the "husband jealous of riding buddy" thread, I realized that due to a late start and longer stops than I intended, I was a bit behind schedule, and decided to stay on schedule and cut the ride short, so as to spend time with family this afternoon. I might add the time spent was not moving fast if at all!

[kabewyou]

Just did one yesterday with a high temperature of 93. I can not do the gels, cliff bars, granola bars, etc. since they feel like lead in my stomach. I am with the earlier poster; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bananas, oranges and powdered energy drink mix to add to water were what made me get through and enjoy the ride.

[indigoiis]

I also thought, at first, that all the kippy gear was a little much.
It grew on me after watching DH fly up the hill ahead of me in his rainbow check jersey and cute black bike shorts, while I agonized behind in a cotton T and sweat shorts.

I can't even imagine cutoffs.

I used the purchase of new clothes as a "reward" for getting serious. I have been building up the rewards.

If you go onto either of these two sites, you can find gear on sale or at outlet prices (look in the outlet section) and find a bargain.

Also, I've gone down to my local consignment/thrift store and found a soccer jersey (similar to a cycle jersey, just no pockets) and a rain pullover for like, five bucks.

On the food issue, I am also seeking alternatives to processed bars and gels - many good ideas here.

Indy

[cosc]

Dried fruit is great energizer, so soft and sweet after a few hours of warm temps. Prunes and apricots are my favorites, and a help to stay regular which is a plus for my engine.

[tangentgirl]

I bet you could make your own bento box out of duct tape & cardboard.

PBJ. Bananas. Snickers bars.

[Velocity22]

My first post! I've been stalking the forums and reading lots of great info, but I finally got up the nerve :) So here goes...

I can understand biking on a budget.
I like performancebike.com because they have a lot of really good sales. The performance bike brand itself is usually not too expensive, and they have some good fits that aren't too form-fitting (it that's what you're concerned about).

Food! What I love is multigrain flat bread (or pita - your choice) with some PB&J. I cut the pita into a semicircle first so I can make 2 (it's easier to eat if it's a smaller package) and wrap each one in foil.

I hope you found an accessible place for your food. If you're really strapped for $$, maybe you could make your own musette bag with some old cloth.