Yes, in Rowan's defence, he usually makes pancakes from scratch for us.

I think I was the one who bought those and some other readymades for that particular overnight tour. It was one of those ... "Let's do an overnight tour this weekend!" situations, and we kind of threw things together for it.

Oh no!!!!

I don't wanna be in a pi**ing contest with you folks!!

Now that's a pancake!!

It has sparked some curiosity of what cooking while camping photos we do have.

Here we go!!

And I already have to concede that BigAura has won the pissing contest! Can't match that one...

forget the weight. a pound or so is reasonable for something
most actual experienced touring cyclists would consider an
essential item when camping.

touring is for enjoyment, not to see how much suffering one
can endure. fresh coffee, pancakes, fried fresh-caught fish,
grilled kangaroo. yum!

or....have you ever eaten a pine tree? you'd be surprised
how many parts are edible!

I didn't mind the weight, an advertised 358g for my cooking system and another 200g or so for fuel is nothing when hauling 6kg in beer

My only real complaint was the pots I had were a bit bulky, and didn't fit in my front pannier all that well. That is just a matter of reworking my load next time, learning what works better!

I did not look at this thread until now, but I can see some serious foodie action. Since the topic is expeditions, the Optimus 111 series of stoves were well known to expedition campers back when they were made. I think most of these photos were with an 111T but I might have a photo or two of my 111B in there.

I had to add the sunset photo even though no cooking action in it. There was no post processing other than reducing the photo size. The colors were so brilliant that the wildlife went silent until after the sun completely set.

The last photo is my camping equivalent of "glorified hash browns", more information here (4 minute audio):
Hash Browns To Soothe Any Homesick Midwesterner : NPR

A friend of mine just bought one a while ago. I was surprised that they are still made, and pretty jealous. Not as cool looking as yours, but still.
Optimus HIKER+ - us

I like the way this thread has turned.

Stand by for more peeing contest pictures... including sunsets!!

(About to go out for a ride, but will be back later )

Kinda tricky, since the sun never set on the last trip, but how about a low hanging sun from behind a waterfall???

That's Cambodia, captain....

OK then. Sunset through the reeds at a campground near Kerang in Victoria, Australia.

And food cooking...

Canadian Prairies, but no food.



We use the stove mostly for beverages, and for simple meals

Does anyone take a small coffee grinder with them? A number of years ago I got tired of instant, and bought a filter and got some freshly
ground coffee; it was good for a few days but sort of turned rancid and lost its' flavor.

Not a grinder, but I recently bought a Bodum Travel Press mug (basically a French press built into an insulated travel mug) and a Portland Design Works handlebar cup holder. They fit together perfectly and the mug stays securely on the bike. After drinking instant all down the Pacific coast and through Mexico, when I reached Guatemala I realized I shouldn't waste this time in prime coffee country. I'm very happy with this addition to the bike. The mug makes a decent cup of coffee and I can pick up freshly ground local coffee when I need it.

I saw some ultra light bikers in a hiker biker site in California with a grinder. It shocked me that they were packing ultra light but carried a grinder, which is probably why I remember seeing it.

Canoe trips I use a lexan french press made my GSI, the model has been out of production for a long time. In a french press my favorite is Folgers Gourmet Supreme.

But bike trips I usually find that I am not sharing coffee with anyone, my regular tour partner stopped drinking caffeinated beverages for a medical reason. Thus, I have gotten lazy and usually bring instant since I am the only one drinking it. I have a plastic jar for the instant that nests perfectly inside my coffee mug.

IMO Starbucks Via instant coffee is about the best I've tried.

What was it stored in? I've never had an issue with coffee staying fresh for longer than that just in the foil bags, rolled over tight. The coffee I used for this espresso was probably open for close to a month, tasted fine.

And yes, I like big breakfasts.

For many years I had something similar from REI but it finally broke so I recently bought a Bodum Travel Press. Love it, although I wish it were lighter.

I pre-grind coffee and keep it in a double Zip-Loc. (Once used a single and got a tear. What a mess.) I have never had it taste bad after two weeks, but I buy La Colombe. Awesome stuff.

About 30' from my tent during the last solstice close to 10 p.m. at the head of Bull Lake near Troy, MT. And fresh baked oatmeal raisin cookies given to me by one of the campground hosts at Sprague Creek in Glacier. They were still warm.

A couple months ago I did a short 5 day tour with a guy that brought that. He liked it too.

For instant at this time I am using Cafe Bustelo, but my favorites change frequently.

I plan on taking a kayak trip in Aug and Sep, a solo trip. I am trying to decide on instant vs french press. I will probably decided a few days before the trip when I see how full my kayak is when packed with cold weather clothing, two weeks of food, and fuel.

I liked Sprague. Someone told me that the White Pine behind my tent was the largest White Pine for many miles around.

+1

If I don't take a stove I take the Starbucks iced coffee and add it to my water bottle with a good shaking and drink it on the road.

Sweet sweet caffeine...

Maybe not pretty, but contemporary...

Hard to make coffee, couscous and boil some eggs without a stove.....


I sure was glad I had my Trangia with me today as I sheltered from the fourth heavy rain shower of the day.
Hot coffee and warm food kept my spirits up!

From this weekend's trip