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.

[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!