What do we eat while cycling?
Certainly one of your most frequently asked questions! No, I don't carry tons of dehydrated food with me. I tend to eat the same thing as the inhabitants of the countries I cross… but there are still some things to remember!
Do you keep a lot of food in your panniers? What do you like to cook?
The amount of food varies by region. I carry between almost nothing and three-quarters of a big satchel. I bring a lot more things in the mountains or to cross a desert than in a more populated place where there is food at every corner. During my many months in Southeast Asia, for example, I did not use my stove once! But even in the most remote places, unless you go on very small paths in mode bikepacking, there is always a maximum possible supply every two days or two and a half days.
I always have a bag of pasta or a bag of rice with me. It is imperishable and easy to cook by adding in the same pot some spices and vegetables. My jar of choice is the Sea to Summit X-Pot. I also have the X Bowl, which I insert inside the X-Pot for transport. I also drag Ziploc bags in which I can put leftovers, or bags that have already been opened to prevent the contents from spilling everywhere.
I most often choose hard vegetables that won't liquefy in my panniers (like tomatoes!). Carrots and potatoes also keep for quite a long time. When fresh vegetables are more difficult to find, I opt for cans. Peas, corn and tuna are my favorites. When I'm really motivated, I cook a few hard-boiled eggs that I eat over the next two days.
For spices, I most often have a bag of mixed herbs that I add to almost anything. It's the same with fruits. Apples will keep much longer than bananas, which will turn black and soft within hours with all the vibration of the road.
I rarely transport (and eat) meat. The exception is if I know I can cook it the same evening.
River water is often excellent for cooking, especially if it is boiled in advance.
My snacks also vary by region. If I was constantly buying Snickers in Central Asia, it was much more difficult in lower latitudes where they melted in five minutes. I opted then rather for crackers or simply more fruit. One thing is certain, the only dehydrated food I make for myself is Ramen noodles, and especially in East Asia where boiling water is readily available.
My lunches are quite simple. I have a jar of jam, peanut butter (when available) or Nutella that I put on bread. Bread is not available everywhere in the world and I can replace it with a bag of cereal. Basically, I really adapt to the region crossed and the kind of food that people eat there. It's definitely cheaper and more accessible to eat the same as them rather than trying to stick to the same western diet.
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I DRAG?
The amount of water I drag also varies a lot depending on the climate and the density of stores. In the mountains, I most often get my water from rivers. Whether my water is taken from nature, from a sink or from purchased bottles, I always transfer it to my canisters and to a bag. My favorite is the MSR Dromedary Bag (in 4L, 6L or 10L), or the Drom Lite bag which weighs a few grams less and comes in a smaller 2L format. The most versatile format in my opinion is the 4 liters. This is sufficient for the vast majority of the time, and it is easily possible to add large plastic bottles inside or even outside the saddlebags during long days in the desert (where it is rather necessary to have 10 to 15 liters per day).
Traveling with several people allows you to vary the meals. With more pots, pans and cooks, it's more worth adding salad, dressing, vegetables, potatoes to the meal. Depending on the territory, it is also sometimes possible to make a campfire and replace the gasoline in the stove with the embers of a campfire.
Cooking with others allows you to distribute the tasks and have a greater variety.
Together, it is also more pleasant to share a campfire and cook with embers.
When you go to the grocery store or the shops, it's easy to lock your bike, but what do you do with your panniers?
In the majority of the world, grocery stores are not large areas where you get lost for at least half an hour. Stops at small convenience stores or outdoor markets are therefore much faster. I usually lock the front wheel of my bike to the frame, and only go with my handlebar bag, which contains my money, my passport and my camera. I leave the bike outside, leaning against the store.
You can find everything on the side of the road.
Grocery stores around the world don't always look like ours!
In many countries, cycling is reserved for the poorest. What's more, undoing a bag is a bit complicated if you're not used to it. For these reasons, and especially because the staggering majority of people are honest, it is really exceedingly rare that thefts occur. If you're really worried, I'd advise putting all your most expensive possessions in one satchel or bag and only bringing that one inside.
Most often, I dock my bike on the store and leave all my equipment there.
We can also feed on what nature has to offer.
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It always gives me pleasure to answer the questions that you send me in anticipation of your own adventures or even for your simple curiosity. If you have any other questions about the bike trip, do not hesitate write to me !
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After trying all possible tricks, I found that the most effective was also the easiest.