Century food on a budget

[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!! 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.