Where to stash nutrition?

[tzvia]

I use Hammergel in their little flask, in a holder designed for it that velcros to the toptube. A stem box would work also and be a bit more flexible-you can put energy bars and gu packets in there.

Frankly, every time I see a jersey at the LBS without 3 good sized pockets I go, 'gee how nice' and put it back on the rack. There are plenty of jerseys out there with pockets so I see no reason to suffer without. On long rides, I always carry a banana back there and stuff a few Luna Moons or an energy bar in as well. I can't imagine not having them on a long ride.

[Skierchickie]

Soooo - I'm confused. If a bike jersey doesn't have pockets, what makes it a bike jersey? I know I see them in catalogs, but it confuses me. Some of them look boxy, too, so why aren't they just t-shirts?

I agree on the "under the gripper elastic" method. I carry my car key there sometimes. Ultimately, I would recommend the purchase of a new jersey, at some point. If you have bulkier items, maybe a baggie pinned somewhere? I know someone who tried making a Shot Block necklace for a ski race - not as ideal as one might imagine. It was a hilarious story. I believe they melted into her hair.

[kermit]

+1 on the electrical tape. One little strip right across the pull (opening) of the gel and you can reach down and rip. I've seen tri folks with 4-5 on the top tube. I do it this way myself, it's super easy.

[Miranda]

Frankly, every time I see a jersey at the LBS without 3 good sized pockets I go, 'gee how nice' and put it back on the rack.

Soooo - I'm confused. If a bike jersey doesn't have pockets, what makes it a bike jersey? I know I see them in catalogs, but it confuses me. Some of them look boxy, too, so why aren't they just t-shirts?

...I know someone who tried making a Shot Block necklace for a ski race - not as ideal as one might imagine. It was a hilarious story. I believe they melted into her hair.

Omg, you guys are crackin me up lol! Thx, I really have needed that lately being all crash messed up. I swear, I could add "Miranda--GearSnob" after my name sometimes. I'm so analytical... I have stood in the lbs shaking my head looking at some of the jersey designs "...what the he$$ were they thinking???".

Skierchickie... that gel melting in the girls hair story totally rules! I have friends who have done stuff like that... and personally had some personal bike gear designs that = FAIL! lol, gheez...

Alrighty then, to the OP ?...
I am not sure why you don't have / like (insert reason) bike jerseys... but GF, pockets are nice to have the longer you ride.

Now, I do not like mine overstuffed. They bother my back if too much--particularly in one center (like tank tops).

But, if $ savings is part of a reason, pockets can easily be sewn on already nice wicking sport tops to make due. I've considered it--just have not busted out my machine lately.

Some people do a small sport type backpack. I don't do that either due to the back issues. But, another idea in addition to the great ones already posted.

Hope your ride was good!

[ny biker]

I know someone who attaches an unwrapped power bar to his aerobars so he can nibble on it while he's riding. I think he uses a rubber band. (It might be only partially unwrapped, I don't remember.)

I don't like having stuff in my jersey pockets, especially when it's a hot day because it makes me that much more uncomfortable. But since I switched from having a handlebar bag to a (smaller) bento box, sometimes I wind up having to keep gu in my pockets. They're small enough not to bug me and they're not there during the whole ride.

But even when I had the handlebar bag to carry everything I needed on a ride, I found the pockets to be useful at times. For starters, nothing cools me down faster on a hot day than a small bag of ice in that jersey pocket.

I like the idea of taping the gu to the bike, though, and I'll keep that in mind for the future.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My saddlebag is big enough for all kinds of stuff. Teeny packets of goop?...I prefer bananas and P&B myself, but I 'could' carry a dozen goo packets in my Little Joe saddlebag. Plus my extra longsleeve wool top, extra gloves, balaclava, tools, pump, lock&cable, maps, etc etc. I'm a 'Big Bag Girl'!

[nscrbug]

+1 on the bento box (stem/toptube bag). I have a RavX one, and I find it to be invaluable...especially on those days that I wear tops without pockets. I have quite a few bike "tops" (can't really call 'em jerseys, since they don't have pockets) that I like to wear on warmer days - they fit looser and I feel more comfortable in them on a hot and sticky day.

Anyway...I generally put all of my nutrition in my bento box, as it's just easier for me to get to, since it's right in front of me...instead of having to reach around and fumble in my rear pockets while riding one-handed (NOT my speciality! ).

I can easily fit a full size Clif Bar (or 2 mini size), plus a package of chews like Luna Moons, Clif Shot Bloks, Sharkies,etc., as well as a few Newtons in a snack-size ziploc. Even with all that in there, I still have room for some chapstick, a small microfiber swatch to clean my sunglasses, and my cellphone & house key.

[aeiea]

I know someone who attaches an unwrapped power bar to his aerobars so he can nibble on it while he's riding. I think he uses a rubber band. (It might be only partially unwrapped, I don't remember.)

Lol ew... or awesome.

Maybe the OP should get one of those harmonica holders and stuff a powerbar there instead of a harmonica.

Or one of those Rambo style bandoliers, but with powerbars instead of bullets.

OP, was wondering why you didn't get a jersey with pockets?

[ny biker]

Lol ew... or awesome.

Yeah, I think he considers any bugs that might stick to it to be added protein.

[Eden]

I had a teammate who would stick cliff blocks to her top tube.... I always thought that was pretty similar to licking the road...