Eating whilst on bike

[Markymark]

Trying to improve my times on longer distances, does anybody do this or should it be saved for the pros?

Talking flapjacks and bananas.

Edit. Sorry to be clear I mean eat whilst cycling rather than pulling over.

 

[Cuchilo]

I nearly always do , never thought it was an issue to be honest . Flapjack and bananas are my riding food . I don't use jelly babies anymore as they are for losers .

 

[stumpy66]

Yeah, youve got to keep putting the fuel in or you will quickly find youve no legs to get you home. On longer runs i will take a selection of stuff, cereal bars, gels, soreen, peanut butter/banana sarnies and energy powder in both bottles.

I usually will take a few things from that list, the longer the run the more i take or a few quid in the pocket for a cafe stop. I usually eat something every 20 miles or so on longer runs, 50-100 miles

 

[stumpy66]

Yeah, i eat as i go along

 

[Cuchilo]

Getting the flap jack out of food bags as you go along is a pain . I keep meaning to wrap it in grease proof paper but always forget until its time for the flapjack

 

[stumpy66]

On long day runs ive been using this to hold my food, easy access and holds afair bit

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-fuel-tank-bag-large/

 

[helston90]

Pah I'm not going anywhere 40+ miles away that means I can't take 3 minutes out at the top of the hill to refuel, a few minutes break from 2 hours pedalling makes the rest of the journey a lot easier.
I'll wait until someone's timing me before I start trying to open a flapjack along our pot holed roads.

 

[Saluki]

I must be a right loser then. I love jelly babies.
If I'm just grabbing a sweetie or 4, I don't stop. If I'm flapjacking, I often sit at the side of the road and have a breather too.

 

[uclown2002]

To OP what do you consider 'long distances'?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

My cycling buddy lost over half his banana yesterday when it broke off and fell to the ground whilst he was cycling. Seemed a shame to me to have cycled +60 miles as it was at that point, only to throw half of it away.

Otherwise providing you have mastered the art of getting it out of the wrapper, bars and the likes are actually quite easy to eat whilst on the move. Just pick a quiet section of road to learn to do it on! Strangely though I find opening and eating a bar easiest whilst cycling uphill. I have no idea as to why, but I do!

 

[Markymark]

To OP what do you consider 'long distances'?

70+ miles. I'd stop for a 15 min rest and sandwich half way but before abs after I just get a bit hungry rather than tired. Av 16mph so not great speeds.

 

[Big Nick]

I often eat as I go along but you can't beat a good cafe stop!

 

[tudor_77]

I don't use jelly babies anymore as they are for losers .

And they tend to cover you in a white powder also!

 

[tyred]

No, it's too difficult to apply the salt and vinegar whilst on the move

 

[w00hoo_kent]

So what's the knack? Do you have to be expert at riding no hands first? I've seen it suggested that you open energy bars in advance to make things easier.

Liking the loser idea I'd considered jelly babies, but I'm not sure where I'd carry them, the idea of sweaty sweeties is somehow less appealing.