Originally Posted by
cyccommute
As I say to a lot of people, it's a tour...skip the de France part
What's the rush? Gotta be somewhere in a hurry?
Honestly,
for me, cooking while on tour is part of the experience. I've found, over time, that I can't eat too much at once while riding so the evening meal is when I eat most. In the morning, I only boil water for coffee because I don't want to do dishes before hitting the road. But both times are times for reflection. While dinner is simmering (I tend to cook rather elaborate meals, sometimes using several pots even when solo), I write my letters home.
In the mornings, I like to sit and read my book over a cup of coffee before starting the day. I'm in no hurry. I on tour. I left the de France part at home
For me, carrying a stove and cooking is as much about function as enjoyment. I eat a lot of food when I'm on tour. I mean, A LOT of food. I like to come back from a tour within a few pounds of my normal bodyweight. And I enjoy touring the remotest areas I can find. Suffice it to say I generally find myself in the middle of nowhere pretty often, and I don't like to stop except for when I want to. If it's late afternoon, and I want to push on and make another 10 miles but I know that if I do, I'll end up where there are no services, that's fine. But I'm gonna want to eat when I get there, and a peanut butter tortilla and cookies ain't gonna make it. And I know I'll want to eat in the morning too. When you have the basic equipment to cook up good food no matter where you are, you have more freedom. I don't have to plan my mileage around services (as much).