Commuting - How do you handle lunch

If you don't eat out and don't have huge bags that you carry?

If you don't eat out and don't have huge bags that you carry?

Get a bag that's big enough.

Get a bag that's big enough.
Not an option I'm willing to entertain.

Why is that not an option? You can always get a messenger bag to strap around your shoulders which begs the question...how much do you eat? :D

Saddlebags, trunk bags, handlebar bags or just sticking it in your rear jersey pocket... I could fit the lunch I eat in the back of my jersey if I had to. Actually I put my banana in my jersey pocket because it'll get destroyed in my pannier when I commute off road... But I only eat a banana or some kind of fruit, a cold cut sandwich, and something to drink... Boring, I guess, but I don't eat much.

Jay

Keep a sprout grower and a patch of wheatgrass growing in your office.

Or,

Each morning, store your lunch in your esophagus and regurgitate it for a nice warm lunch at noon.

Not an option I'm willing to entertain.

Then I guess you'll just have to eat less.

Just how big a bag do you think is needed? I use a single pannier and it has enough room for my clothes, pump and tools, a book and my lunch (on the days that I bring it). I've used a small backpack and had room for the same stuff. I wouldn't classify either of those as 'huge bags', but they hold everything I need, including lunch.

Gosh, I'm a big boy and I mannage to cary everything I eat in a day of riding in my rear jersey pockets! I usually take bagels, trail mix, and dried fruit. At other times I take other things as well, depends on the weather. :D

I think I may have misunderstood your question. When I ride to work I do have a rack on that bike with a rack bag. Rubermaid makes a sealed top devided contanier that fits perfect in the pack. Most of the time I cary leftovers from home, although I do seem to be addicted to bagels. :D I find the rack, pack, and larger pannier nessary for my riding in comfort. I started out with a back pack and that was a bummer for the 14 mile rides.
Good luck. :D

Hmmmmm?

I pack my lunches for the week on Monday, so i only suffer one day (we have a fridge). Plus, I usually drive to the office monday (rest day).

I hope this helps,

ehenz

Not an option I'm willing to entertain.

I use two panniers (not huge ones) in which I carry just everything I need including lunch, change of clothes (and shoes), tools, bike lock etc. Is your issue one of cost, or concern about the weight?

Monday is eat out day since I pack my clothes for the week I do not work in an office situation so its 2 pair of jeans and 2 sweatshirts to last the week I bring a clean t shirt every day and the pack my lunch in rubbermaid and carry it my pack.

My work lunches are usually yogurt, granola bars and a drink. I go to the grocery store at lunchtime on Monday and pick up enough for the week and keep it in the fridge at work - no carrying required.

Just like everyone else here I either use a pannier or my rack bag. Helps me take a small lunch so I do not over eat.

I have two ~900 cu.in. panniers to carry clothes, lunch, and everything else (similar to this).
http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/na-dtp2.gif


My lunch is usually a sandwich, yogurt, and fruit or granola bar. If I need a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack I have granola bars or fig bars in my desk.
They're good for the ride home too.

Lunch:
2 sandwiches (tuna, egg salad, or pb&j)
1 small bag GORP (good old raisins and peanuts)
1 piece fruit (apples, oranges, pears, plums etc)
1 small bag raw vegetables (carrots, celery, broccolli)
1 "Thai Kitchens" Rice Noodle bowl (just add boiling water and wait about three minutes)
2 green tea bags

I carry this in a plastic grocery bag in my backpack. It is actually a morning snack + a lunch. It weighs about 1-2 lbs. Since I am carrying a change of clothes anyway, I never gave much thought to where to put lunch.

Dan

I am fortunate enough to have a Publix less than a mile from my job downtown, and a refrigerator to keep food in. I just go grocery shopping once in a while when I'm at work and stock up. Also, a man who peddles fresh fruit and veggies from his truck shows up everyday at work, and his prices are insanely low. Plus, I can splurge and eat out at Willy's Mexicana Grill and get black beans and rice with all the chips I could want for only a buck fifty.

So I eat pretty good.

:D :D :D

Why is that not an option? You can always get a messenger bag to strap around your shoulders which begs the question...how much do you eat? :D

I've got one.. and on train/bike days, it's cool. On non train commute days.. i'm in a quandry.

I use two panniers (not huge ones) in which I carry just everything I need including lunch, change of clothes (and shoes), tools, bike lock etc. Is your issue one of cost, or concern about the weight?
After reading everyone's suggestions, I guess I should explain more my situation.. If I ask the right question, I'll get the right answers!

I ride 3 - 4 times a week. I ride 3 different bikes. 2 -3 times a week, I ride to a train, take the train. On these days, I take a good size messenger bag. It holds plenty. I would like to know for this, what type of containers people use for left overs.. I like to keep what I carry down to a minimum. On these days, I ride a fixed gear road bike, or a frankenstien single speed. Niether have a rear rack, and I do not like rear racks or panniers. It's personal preference. Because of this choice, I limit my food carrying capabilities, and for this, I'm looking to see if anyone has options.

One or two days out of the week, I ride the entire way. I use my cannondale for it. I do not have a rack, and again, do not like paniers. It's a very hilly 16 miles one way. I carry as little wieght as possible: bike light w/battery, small tool kit, spare tubes, bike pump, under clothes (I wear a uniform, and change at work after a light shower), and now a lock. So, space is at a premium. Right now I recieve substance in kind because we're not on ship, and so.. the food issue...

Does this clear up things? Sorry I was vague!

Would you have room in the messenger bag the 2-3 days you do ride with the bag to fit in extra food? Perhaps you can store non-perishable items like drinks, snacks, etc. where you work and then on the days you do not have the messenger bag, all you'd have to bring in is anything perishable in the "tupperware". Would that work?

On the days you do not take the train, you will hopefully have food caches at work so you wouldn't need to carry alot of stuff.

As far as containers, I can't help you there although you probably should use rubber bands no matter what container you use just to be safe. Hate to see last night's spaghetti sauce running down the back of your jersey while riding down the road :eek:

Jay

I sometimes bring a sandwich to work. I put it in a Zip-Loc in my coat pocket. How much space does a lunch take up? Drinks are both heavy and bulky, but our office has a water cooler.

Paul
(who sometimes puts a bento box of sushi on the rear rack)

Get a velomobile and you will have all kinds of room to carry stuff/food. I carry my laptop and a change of clothes. I still have room for up to 4 bags (those plastic ones) of groceries.

zip lock baggies and rubbermaid containers

One of the advantages of never having a lunch break is that I don't worry much about packing lunch. I take a peanut butter sandwich in hopes that I'll be able to eat it while doing some paper work(& I don't mean while changing the papers in a dirty kennel). One sandwich doesn't take up much room, either pocket or in pannier with gear.

After reading your detailed description, I have a couple ideas:


One of those Carradice saddlebags (http://www.wallbike.com/carradice/junior.html) from Wallbike. These don't require a rack and are small enough that it shouldn't be a burden.
A small handlebar bag, like those used on a touring bike. These are about the same size as an insulated lunch bag.


Both of these can be adapted with a shoulder strap and are smaller than panniers or a backpack but big enough for a couple of sandwiches.

Dan

You could get a larger fanny pack style bag. Mountainsmith makes alot of good ones and other companies like Lowe Alpine make them too (cheaper). Your local outfitters like REI or EMS will probably have their versions as well. They're small, will fit your lunch and go round your waist.

http://www.mountainsmith.com/store/?page=shop/browse&category_id=42efaff6c196d1bf02567389567e2738

After reading everyone's suggestions, I guess I should explain more my situation.. If I ask the right question, I'll get the right answers!

I ride 3 - 4 times a week. I ride 3 different bikes. 2 -3 times a week, I ride to a train, take the train. On these days, I take a good size messenger bag. It holds plenty. I would like to know for this, what type of containers people use for left overs.. I like to keep what I carry down to a minimum. On these days, I ride a fixed gear road bike, or a frankenstien single speed. Niether have a rear rack, and I do not like rear racks or panniers. It's personal preference. Because of this choice, I limit my food carrying capabilities, and for this, I'm looking to see if anyone has options.

One or two days out of the week, I ride the entire way. I use my cannondale for it. I do not have a rack, and again, do not like paniers. It's a very hilly 16 miles one way. I carry as little wieght as possible: bike light w/battery, small tool kit, spare tubes, bike pump, under clothes (I wear a uniform, and change at work after a light shower), and now a lock. So, space is at a premium. Right now I recieve substance in kind because we're not on ship, and so.. the food issue...

Does this clear up things? Sorry I was vague!


I use a Trek backpack that has arched metal stays to hold the pack off my back, riding against me on a layer of webbing that allows air to circulate. When I commute to work I usually take peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, since they don't need refrigeration for the day. Anything that should be kept cool I can't take, since I'm out on the street without a cooler.
I think the large fanny pack suggested above is an excellent idea for someone that doesn't carry clothes.