hectortrojan

I am new to biking and am exploring the ways to carry nutrition while biking. Bike jersey with pockets in the back is popular choice when it comes to carrying gels and bars. But I like to carry trail mix for nutrition. I tired this: I carried trail mix in a plastic bag in a backpack, but I had to stop to get the plastic bag out. Then I had to carry plastic bag with one hand with which I am holding the handle bar and used other hand to eat. But since it got tiring quickly to hold a plastic bag in a hand with which I was holding the handle bar, I had to hurry eating however much I wanted and then stopped to put the plastic bag in back pack and repeated the cycle next time when I wanted to eat.

Fanny/waist pack comes to mind. Is there a better idea? Apart from jersey, what else do you use? I am looking for something with pocket big enough so that I can insert my hand in to get the trail mix out.

Thank you.

bbbean 

There's a reason gels you can eat one handed are so popular...

caloso

Why can't you carry a bag of trail mix in a jersey pocket?

10 Wheels

Go to the Breakfast Section of your grocery store.

They should have trail mix bars.

https://grocery.kroger.com/pd/Kroger/.../011110808486/

Bag

https://www.pricepoint.com/Brand/Prof...ign-E-Pack.axd

https://www.pricepoint.com/Brand/Prof...Pack-Black.axd

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_170748_-1___

hectortrojan

I definitely can, but would prefer something in the front if it is more convenient. For example I am thinking that I can carry a bag of trail mix in front in fanny pack and use one hand to take some trail mix out and be done with it.
The reason I am thinking and not trying is I do not have either jersey or fanny pack and am thinking my options before getting one.

hectortrojan

Agree that there are trail mix bar. I used to carry gels and bars while running. Then I tried trail mix in a bag in running shorts pockets and I prefer it a lot more over gels and bars.

OldTryGuy

Keep in mind that trail mix in bags/bars will take substantially more time and energy to assimilate compared to gels.

caloso

Fair enough.

I am a big fan of jerseys, not just for pockets, but for zippers, wicking material, and cut for riding position. However, I realize that they are not for every one.

valygrl

I wouldn't do this for a number of reasons, but I think what you want is a bento box. It's a little pouch you velcro onto your top tube at the stem. you can put the baggie of trail mix in there

just google "bento box cycling"

Carbonfiberboy 

I like trail mix too, but it's not so good for biking. Google "top tube bag." I use a FuelBelt model because it's somewhat water resistant, though it's less convenient than the ones that have mesh flaps.

Still, a solid bar is more convenient. You can put bars in a top tube bag also. I always tear the wrapper open before the start, on the bars that I'm sure to eat on a ride.

Even more convenient for some is to drink your food. There are various powders you can mix into a water bottle. Some folks use Ensure. I mix up a homebrew powder that gives me up to 750 calories/bottle.

Banana in the jersey pocket is very common, but don't throw the peel on the road.

CbadRider

+1 It looks like this.

Myosmith

One answer is the Viewtainer. It is a flexible plastic cylinder with a silicone end cap that has a slit that opens when you squeeze the sides of the container.



They come in a variety of sizes and colors including 2.75 x 8 inch or 10 inch models that fit a water bottle holder. You can squeeze these one handed to shake out granola, nuts, or any other small snack foods. If you need your existing water bottle holders for drinks, you can get water bottle holders that clamp to the handlebar.

gregf83 

Trail mix is good for hiking but not really optimal for biking. You just need carbs and trail mix generally has a lot of calories from fat which won't do you any good while riding. You could try raisins or, better yet, dates and leave out the nuts.

Fat Boy

Chances are, you really don't need to eat on the bike. If your ride is less than 2-3 hours, then eating is just not necessary. If trail mix is your thing, then have a handful before you roll and be done with it.

Machka 

Another vote for ...

Bento Bag

I carry all sorts of food in my bento bag.

GeorgeBMac

+1
... Hydration and (maybe) electrolytes, (maybe) some carbs if the ride goes over an hour...

Generally, IF you fuel up before the ride you won't need any food (especially fat and protein) for 2-3 hours...

But then, "need" and "want" are not the same. The posters on this forum tend to believe that only the cycling is a "want" (and some would debate that!) -- and all else is simply "what do I NEED to support the cycling?"

For others, the question is: How do I make the ride more pleasant?

BTW, one of my favorite fuels for riding (either before or during a long ride) is Peanut Butter & Jelly on whole wheat... And, if necessary you can eat it one-handed.

10 Wheels

Just knew I had the answer....

Get a Three Wheeler like this rider.

Fill the bucket with Your favorite Trail Mix.



Happy Miles on Your Trail

Myosmith

There are a lot of variations of trail mix, including those that are primarily carbs with lots of maple/honey/brown sugar enhanced oatmeal, dried fruit, and chocolate bits. What is optimal for biking depends on the type of biking you are doing. An hour-long hammerfest has different nutritional requirements than six hour gravel century, a full afternoon of MTBing, or an all-day loaded tour. For many cyclists engaged in a variety of cycling pursuits, some variation of trail mix can be a very good choice. The blast of simple carbs from gels and blocks (BTW maltodextrin is nothing more than a string of simple carbs held together by very weak bonds. Even the amylase in your saliva is sufficient to convert it to simple carbs. Technically a complex carb, it acts more like a sugar once consumed and has a higher glycemic index and results in higher insulin spikes than sucrose or fructose.) might be appropriate for quick peak energy but complex carbs and some fat can help level out the energy roller coaster when sustained, less intense energy expenditures are called for.

Carbonfiberboy 

Our touring fave is toffee coated peanuts. But then we don't have to try to eat them while moving. More fun to stop, look around, and have a snack.

Yes, maltodextrin is the hottest food you can eat. GI around 130 (sucrose is 100). We use it when sport riding, but not touring. It would work OK for touring, but it's a PITA and unnecessary. Sport riding, you want whatever gets sugar into your bloodstream the fastest. Because of metabolic changes during hard exercise, there's no insulin or blood sugar spike.

IME the less experienced the rider, the more frequently they should eat. It takes time to bring about the changes which allow a cyclist to go long periods without eating on the bike.

Fat Boy

I like sweet potatoes on the bike. Clean, salt, wrap in saran wrap and nuke the night before. Stick in it fridge all night and a pocket in the morning. Sandwiches are a good idea. If you're feeling particularly frisky, one made of nutella or Justin's chocolate is delicious when you're several hours in. Dried figs are good, as are bananas.

Similar to most of my other food leanings, I try to make it something 'real' as opposed to something out of a package. It's a lot cheaper that way as well.

Fat Boy

I go for honey-roasted macadamias, but, ya, same idea.

GeorgeBMac

Try baking in them into chips:

Slice very thinly, brush with oil,lime juice and maple syrup and bake about 5-10 minutes on a side (or grill them if they are thicker (like 1/4").

Some black from the sugars is fine but make sure they don't burn.

Fat Boy

I don't think that would work...

I'd eat them all before I ever got to the bike. Sounds freakin' delicious and I'm definitely making them.

hectortrojan

When I started running, I was wearing basketball shorts and cotton shirt. Then got non-cotton shirts. Then running shorts. Then compression shirts.
As I mentioned earlier, I am a newbie. I am sure I would accumulate more things as I progress with biking. May be I will buy a biking jersey sometime.

hectortrojan

That is an interesting option. I will look into it. Thanks.