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!).



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 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

[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!