okay everybody, we are going on our first little tour on veterans day weekend. it'll be a 4 day tour along the gulf coast beaches to destin and panama city beach, then back up inland more on the way home. i don't think i'll need much for 4 days, and only have small panniers ATM. we are getting larger panniers for me so my wife can carry the smaller ones. we are going with another friend as well, because we feel that it'd be a little safer with 3 people and the added visability that comes with that. i am wondering what you guys recommend for a 4 day tour? i am not a fan of propane cooking but understand it is necessary when the parks we are staying at don't allow for open fires. what do you guys do for dinner? is 4 days short enough to not worry about cooking and just do a credit card type tour?

Can you just credit card it and do hotels the first time? Then you don't have to worry about cooking at all, and you have far, far less to carry. No tents, no sleeping bags, none of that stuff. Or eat out, so don't worry about stoves and cooking

I carry a little home made alcohol stove. My whole cooking and eating kit weighs 11 ounces, but cooking for more than two is a bit of a stretch for it. Google pepsi can stove if interested in making a stove. Alternately buy a trangia alcohol stove.

I also like the isobutane stoves like the Pocket Rocket, but have mostly stopped carrying it on some tours because I have had a harder time finding fuel for it. Especially if you are not going on long tours or flying to your start something like the pocket rocket might suit you though.

If not inclined to cook any tour is suitable for eating in restaurants, unless it is remote enough to not have closely enough spaced places to eat. Then you could supplement the menu with cold food if there were some spots where eating out was not an option.

As far as what to eat... It depends on your preferences. I tend to eat a granola bar before getting going and stop for breakfast along the way. Alternately sometimes it is instant oatmeal. Lunch might be, PBJ on bagels, hard salami and cheese with chips or crackers, sandwiches, or whatever. If somewhere that the local food is interesting I might buy lunch in a restaurant. Dinner is usually in camp and usually simple. Ramen noodle with margarine and foil packed tuna, and maybe some fresh or freeze dried veggies (usually peas), some boxed rice or noodle dish, or if near a store a frozen bag dinner. Wine and a bag salad suppliment the meal when I have the opportunity and feel like doing so.

More safety by riding together? I have my doubts on that one. I have toured alone, with one other person, and with two other people and find that drivers have more trouble passing and are more likely to use bad judgement in passing when there are multiple riders. This is not bad enough that I would avoid riding together if that is what you want, but if the reason for riding together was increased traffic safety, I'd forget it.

It is nice to ride with someone you care enough about to adjust your pace to theirs, but otherwise riding at someone else's pace can be a real joy killer. Also overall pace is not the only issue but pace while climbing, descending, and riding on the flats are all important. Then there is how quickly folks get going both in the morning and from stops. Lots of room for group friction here.

I usually cook, but sometimes eat out. If there is a decent grocery source I prefer to cook. My body runs best on a high carb diet, and pasta is usually easy to come by.

4 days with no cooking short enough? That's totally up to you. There is no short enough or long enough. Some people spend months riding across the country and never cook. Some people take overnight trips and cook. The major issue is logistics. I.e., will there be a place to eat out when it comes time for dinner? If not, you may have to carry prepared food for some distance or eat dinner at an odd hour. I have done the former with both lunch and dinner. It's not difficult if you have the space and can find something that carries well.

Sit down restaurant for Dinner, then B'fast the next day, and you lose the need for cooking gear.
Picnic lunch along the way , maybe bring a small knife/fork/spoon set and a plastic plate.

You can credit card or camp,whichever you like to do.As far as food,eat breakfast and dinner somewhere,buy stuff for lunches,munchies during the day and snacks at night,no need for a stove unless you want some practice.

Have fun!

1+.