Half way stop on 26 mile ride???

[ny biker]

I'm not the one who suggested them, but my guess is that unsweetened peanut butter sandwiches means pb but no jelly.

However if only some of the riders are diabetic, I would suggest having some pb&j sandwiches and some pb only.

[Geonz]

We usually have bread and spatulate spreaders and jam and peanut butter so folks can make their own.

I'd say pb ... and light snacks. The *rest* is what's important so it should be something that looks like you hang around for a bit if you want. For folks who are stretching themselves to go 26 miles, yo might advise them to pay attention to whether they're getting stiff or not. Some people like to linger and others like to catch their breath and keep moving - if you're new, you don't necessarily know which will be easier. I *don't* like stopping with tired muscles for long... they decide that I finished and argue loudly when I tell 'em we're not. However, my body's good at tapping reserves or something so I don't need to fuel the fire as often as most (but do afterwards).
I routinely have caffeine in the morning... but sometimes on a bike ride I'll forget and just do water or electrolyte drink and food... and then wonder why I'm feeling all kinds of sluggish... then have some tea and feel my self again.

[MartianDestiny]

I too would suggest keeping the refreshments light, but filling.

I can see myself (a reasonably experienced cyclist) getting bogged down or sick if I ate something like an egg sandwich and then got back on the bike! I can see inexperienced riders not thinking of that danger and just thinking about how HUNGRY they are (the second I step foot off the bike any morsel of food better watch out because I'm ravenous!)

I like the idea of bananas, and perhaps provide a few alternative fruit options as well. Sports drinks (gatorade, powerade, etc) are also a good idea, but have some regular waters as well (the sports drinks are high in sugars/high fructose corn syrup that the diabetics may not want).

To keep the larger spread idea that your friend wants to provide (good for her, she just needs more direction) here are some ideas:

Trail mix, or mixed nuts
Extra fruit
Salads (especially if this is a longer lunch stop)
Yogurt cups
Granola bars, powerbars, cliff bars (for there or on the road)
Consider Wraps instead of sandwiches (less bread, lighter and better for the diabetics)
Ice pops or sherbet (if keeping it cold is feasible, you can get this in sugar free for your diabetic friends too)

As someone who has lived in a family of diabetics and borderline hyperglycemic myself, some suggestions:

Diabetics can crash from too little sugar as well, especially when exerting themselves more than they are used to. So, too little sugar is just as bad as too much. Try to provide them with some sort of high carb bar (most granola bars are, as well as bars designed for sports) that they can keep on them. Bonus points if the high carb bar is chocolate coated (chocolate provides fast absorbing sugar to keep you from crashing immediately, carbs provide slow release sugar to keep you going). They make diabetic specific granola bars, but honestly the bars that are sitting next to them for half the price are the same thing

Your friends will know when their blood sugar is dropping (we can feel it, so if they are paying attention they'll get warning), but they may not know ahead of time how quickly their sugar may drop especially in the second half if they aren't used to cycling. IE: if they aren't used to it they may "be good" at lunch and not get enough carbs in them to sustain them with the increased activity. Hence why I think bars of some sort are a good idea. Easy to carry and will keep you out of a really nasty situation.

[OakLeaf]

Actually what I meant was unsweetened peanut butter.

Because brands of sweetened PB can vary so much - and a lot of organized rides tend to get the very cheapest PB that's loaded with HFCS - if you serve sweetened PB, the participants won't know how much refined sugar they're getting. I understand that diabetics may want some refined sugar on a ride longer than they're used to, but not knowing how much is not a good thing.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My DH had an egg salad sandwich at midpoint during a century ride, and wound up vomiting it up violently and feeling sick for hours. Never again, he says!

[Flybye]

I went on a 28 mile ride with a few experienced riders and a majority of riders who had not ridden a bike for years (like 15+). I was the youngest rider at 36 and the oldest rider was 72.
When we pulled in to the halfway point for lunch, there was quite an assortment of food. Those of us who rode on a regular basis had the normal healthy fare - apples, dried fruit, granola, etc.
The others had a whole different picnic in mind. The FUNNIEST moment of the whole trip was when one man pulled a 16" salami from out of his jacket and a pocket knife from his jacket pocket. I spit my mouthful of water everywhere laughing. Completely unexpected!
Someone brought chips, someone brought cookies. We shared.
We ate whatever we wanted. We all survived. We had fun.
I would just worry about me and let the others concern themselves with their own food. Let her provide whatever she wants. Let them eat whatever they want. And have fun.

[Zen]

Um, what's unsweetened PB sandwiches???

Peanut butter and jelly, which always hits the spot for me
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[Tuckervill]

+1 Flybye.

Many, if not most, people don't put that much thought into what they eat (including diabetics). You can encourage them to do so, especially for the ride, but to nag too much or come off as judgmental would be counterproductive. That said, I do believe encouraging the lady towards the idea of a post-ride feast would work out better for everyone.

Isn't an egg and mayo sandwich just egg salad?

mmmm, egg salad.
Karen

[Zen]

Isn't an egg and mayo sandwich just egg salad?

No, you can just use a sliced hard boiled egg.

[papaver]

Peanut butter and jelly, which always hits the spot for me
................................................................................

I'm gonna be sick.

[Jones]

I don't think Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches are common in England, and by jelly we mean seedless jam not gelatin like jell-o. Anyway I agree with Flyby, ask her to bring bananas for you but let her make a picnic of her own design for everyone else maybe just emphasis that fruit and wine gums go down really well midway through a ride. Have fun!

[ClockworkOrange]

I don't think Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches are common in England, and by jelly we mean seedless jam not gelatin like jell-o. Anyway I agree with Flyby, ask her to bring bananas for you but let her make a picnic of her own design for everyone else maybe just emphasis that fruit and wine gums go down really well midway through a ride. Have fun!

Hey, many thanks for the translation of all the funny expressions, yes, I was very confused.

I love you guys, you make me laugh but always come up with some great ideas, for which I thank you all.

Clock

[Zen]

A jello sandwich?
You thought we ate peanut butter and jello?
That would be fun to watch.

[Pedal Wench]

A jello sandwich?
You thought we ate peanut butter and jello?
That would be fun to watch.

There's always room for Jello!

I was at my local grocery store and right next to my newly discovered Cadbury Flake bars was a big box of Winegums! I've never seen that before today, and never heard of them until this thread. Look like Gummy Bears to me.

[ClockworkOrange]

There's always room for Jello!

I was at my local grocery store and right next to my newly discovered Cadbury Flake bars was a big box of Winegums! I've never seen that before today, and never heard of them until this thread. Look like Gummy Bears to me.

Now for a bit of trivia.

For those in the United States of America,wine gums most closely resemble Jujyfruits in colours, texture, and sweetness, though with different flavours.

Maynards Wine Gums were first introduced in 1909
The Gummi Bear is a German creation. Hans Riegel, a candy maker from Bonn, Germany, invented the Gummi Bear in 1922

Now don't you feel better for knowing that.

Clock