Half way stop on 26 mile ride???

[ClockworkOrange]

Here we go, always asking for advice but only because I know I usually receive plenty of it!

When my partner and I plus our 16 Team Mates do our 26 mile bike ride for Leukaemia Research, I am not sure what will be the best thing to provide at the half way stop in the way of refreshments etc.

If it was only myself and my partner, we would stop to look at the view and have a quick drink but nothing more. However, with our Team Mates, the majority are newbies and the most they have ever ridden is around 10 miles, ages vary from 30 to 55 years of age.

Our friend who is the official Picnic Organiser, wants to provide so much, bananas, crisps, egg mayonnaise sandwiches, chicken wings, tomatoes and sports drinks! I tactfully tried to say bananas and a drink would be ideal but she was told by some twirp from a bike shop that all the above would be necessary! We do have to bear in mind that two of the Team are diabetic.

My view is that the first half of the ride will be fine for them but the return will be the difficult part and if we stop too long and eat too much, it will not be a good idea.

Comments welcomed please?

Clock........................over the moon as we have almost hit £2000 for the Ride!

[papaver]

just fruit (like banana's) and wholemeal biscuits will do just fine. Don't start with chicken or sandwiches. They have no use whatsoever and could make riders sick (too difficult to digest while riding).

Winegums are great too.

[crazycanuck]

Clock, thanks for helping your friends get out there & ride

In terms of food, convince them bananas, crackers of some sort & yep wine gums would be ok. Not sure about the diabetic's dietary requirements though??

Main thing for you as ride leader would be just to keep everyone going & knowing when to stop etc.

Have fun!

[Andrea]

Egg and mayo sandwiches?!?!! I think that'd make me sick if I weren't riding my bike!


Sorry- not a big fan of boiled eggs- something about the smell makes me nauseated... then adding some oily mayonnaise on top... ack! I can't even think about it!

I'd say stick to the fruit and maybe some trail mix. Fig newtons are awesome, too.

[NbyNW]

The organisers can provide all they want. Doesn't mean everyone has to eat everything. If you're worried about people getting sick, just remind your team to keep it light at the halfway point even if there is a bounty of stuff available.

Perhaps you could recommend to the organiser to save the richer food for the finish of the ride.

Good luck with your fundraising!

[ClockworkOrange]

Cheers everybody, for all the helpful advice.

Jocelyn, funnily enough my partner and myself were thinking it would probably be far better to have the minimum of refreshments at the halfway mark but then at the finish, to have a full blown picnic.

My friend who is doing the refreshments at the halfway mark is unable to ride a bike, so it is nice that she is involved but also I am trying to be diplomatic, in that I don't want to take it all away from her.

Bearing in mind the organisers do not provide anything, not surprising really, last year there were 6500 riding so it is up to the individuals to take their own.

Also because we are from various parts of the UK, there will be quite a few people at the finish, so it is far better to have a massive gathering and pig-out then!

But please, keep any ideas or suggestions coming.

Clock

[txred9876]

I am a pretty new rider myself and the only thing on that list I would think of picking up is a banana and possibly some sport drink.

the rest of that does not sound good at all!

Tina

[PamNY]

Is the halfway stop supposed to be lunch? If so, the food sounds great. One thing I've noticed in reading this forum is that organized rides are different from cycling in real life, and there are various protocols.

In real-life cycling, I often stop and have lunch. It's not a hilly or strenuous ride, though.

Pam

[Biciclista]

light snacks and a toilet at the midpoint, please.

And what's a winegum?

[ClockworkOrange]

Is the halfway stop supposed to be lunch? If so, the food sounds great. One thing I've noticed in reading this forum is that organized rides are different from cycling in real life, and there are various protocols.
Pam

No, not in this case. I know if I stop for something to eat, as in the local pub it really is a job to set off again, it makes me too sluggish.

Here is a pic from last year but the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds are massive so I think after the ride, just sat around chatting with friends plus looking at some of the rather hunky guys and then eating seems a far better plan, how typically English.

Hey Mimi, don't worry, the wine gums do NOT contain any wine, unfortunately! They are chewy, firm sweets similar to gumdrops, except they are not sugar-coated.

Clock

[shootingstar]

Most definitely would not offer egg mayonnaise sandwiches or anything with egg/mayonnaise. There would be constant concern on keeping those sandwiches cold.

Juice, fig bars (cut up), slices of cut fruit, bananas, baby sized muffins.