"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - What to eat at race venue if waiting for 6 hours in the cold?

I promote a race series. I spent 6 hours in pretty cold temps (20s and 30s) doing race promotion stuff. I then get on my bike and try and race for about 2.5 hours (I usually crap out after an hour or two).

We have no indoor facilities. I sit in our van, our outdoor tent (it has sides and two heaters but it's still cold). Otherwise I'm outside the whole time, marshaling, sweeping, moving stuff around, etc.

We have a decent size generator, 5500 watts or so. For the last three years I got smart and brought a small microwave. This year I started bringing meals - well, last week anyway. Pasta and meat sauce, with coffee as a drink.

Any suggestions on what to eat? I have my stuff but I'm not a nutritionist and can't think outside the box.

Thanks
cdr

Hot soup and decaf tea/coffee so you keep warm but don't have the diuretic effects of 12 cups of coffee.

I'll second Snuffleupagus on some light warm soup.

Or maybe some asian noodles in miso soup?

Maybe some hot chocolate? You get a bit of protein there too if you make up the real stuff with milk.

6 hours in the cold...

time to get a clubhouse (http://myshavedlegs.blogspot.com/2007/03/saturday-afternoons.html).

1 slice high quality wheat bread, chunky peanut butter, and honey. it won't let you down
repeat as needed

6 hours in the cold...

time to get a clubhouse (http://myshavedlegs.blogspot.com/2007/03/saturday-afternoons.html).

frikken you ruined my day. Now I'm thinking big RV. Or a race venue that is specific for racing. There are two potential ones in a 2 hour driving radius. Or a folding solid side tent.

PB&honey, tried that. I think I can eat a loaf of bread, a small jar of PB, and a small squeeze bottle of honey in 6 hours :) Last weekend brought 4 sandwiches, PB and something (nutella or preserves).

Soup. Now why didn't I think of that.

cdr

whole wheat bread with natural nut butter and banana sangwiches. lean meats, too if you like.
Hot pasta/tomato based soups in a nice thermos (hydrating, too!). I use minestrone, but add some quick cook oats to it to give it more body/carbs.
Fruit, including things like raisins and figs.
Potato salad with no fatty additives. Try diced potatoes, some mustard, spices and a bit of nonfat yogurt and some diced onions. mix and eat.
hardboiled eggs (egg salad sangwiches?)


If it we me, I'd have my small alcohol camping stove to make tea, coffee, oatmeal, pasta, potatoes... anything that needs boiling water, really. It's small and easy to use. An electric kettle would be even easier and equally effective.

Down jacket, softshell pants, down mittens and some really warm footwear would help keep the chills to a minimum while waiting around.

frikken you ruined my day. Now I'm thinking big RV. Or a race venue that is specific for racing. There are two potential ones in a 2 hour driving radius. Or a folding solid side tent.

PB&honey, tried that. I think I can eat a loaf of bread, a small jar of PB, and a small squeeze bottle of honey in 6 hours :) Last weekend brought 4 sandwiches, PB and something (nutella or preserves).

Soup. Now why didn't I think of that.

cdr

http://photos.igougo.com/images/p35181-Charleston-This_is_the_Pizza_Bar.jpg

true champions go all the way;)

frikken you ruined my day. Now I'm thinking big RV. Or a race venue that is specific for racing. There are two potential ones in a 2 hour driving radius. Or a folding solid side tent.

PB&honey, tried that. I think I can eat a loaf of bread, a small jar of PB, and a small squeeze bottle of honey in 6 hours :) Last weekend brought 4 sandwiches, PB and something (nutella or preserves).

Soup. Now why didn't I think of that.

cdr

that's a seriously good idea.

http://www.wilsonscarbeautification.com/images/big_rv.jpg

htt p://photos.igougo.com/images/p35181-Charleston-This_is_the_Pizza_Bar.jpg

true champions go all the way;)

those open faced cheese sandwiches look pretty nasty.

Burritos maybe? High carb or protein depending on what your diet needs. Add some beans and your ready to knock out the competition.

I find that eating something warm really helps me feel considerably better. Microwave the burrito if you can.

By the way, thanks for being a promoter.

For a 24hr race that I did, someone brought a mini-camper ('Scamp') and it seemed like an awesome way to keep warm without having to own a RV.

I would probably try to eat a big meal before I got there and then tried to eat filling things throughout the day. I know with me, if I eat a big meal and then stand around outside, my extremities will get colder faster.

Soup, herbal teas were all good suggestions.

Steel cut oatmeal. Make it the night before and nuke it at the race with a little milk. Add PB for fat while cooking and maple syrup or honey for sugar. Perfect.