One of the great pleasures of biking – whether it be touring, commuting or just a spin to the café – is consuming ‘bike’ fuel. After a 7 mile commute on a crisp morning, there is nothing like a vegan blueberry muffin (or a buttery chocolate croissant for that matter!). On tour, a cyclist might burn several thousand calories during a day – more if it’s windy or hilly. A body needs its fuel, so fueling up is a key component to safe biking… an extra piece of cherry pie is NOT a problem!
In the last Tales of the Bike Commuter Vid BLog, I snacked my way across town to work, showcasing just a fraction of the great ‘fuel’ stops I pass every day (and I can get ‘topped off’ for less than what it cost for a gallon of gas right now – almost $4.00!). We had dozens of great contributions to the debate about what makes GREAT morning bike fuel. Here are a few of the mouth-watering suggestions that folks wrote in with.
Michael M. of Portland Oregon sent in this bike fuel recipe that always gets him to work and through his day:
“Bob’s Red Mill organic steel-cut oats – soaked overnight so they cook quicker. Topped with raisins, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts, with organic real maple syrup. Never get tired of it and it gets me through my 10+ mile ride to work and a morning with 32 6th graders. I also race cyclocross for the Bob’s Red Mill team.” A teacher AND a bike racer… where does he get all the energy? Bob’s Red Mill, of course!
John W. of Madison, Wisconsin agreed that EVP – tho a great coffee shop – serves coffee that is just a little TOO strong. He also likes to get his java fix at Victory Coffee on Atwood Ave. Good call, John.
Elly E., who lives in Chicago, loves a homemade whole-wheat bagel topped with humus, spinach and cheddar cheese. She adds that her evening fuel that night would be (Indian) dhal, curried red potatoes and Naan. Hey Elly, have you got an extra seat at the table? I’m getting hungry!
Scott P. from Seattle says he bikes by SEVENTEEN different coffee houses on his commute every day! (Whoa! Makes me jittery just thinking about it!) He adds, “My favorite (weekday) AM fuel at home before my commute – oatmeal with walnuts, cinnamon, brown sugar, wheat germ, & ground flax-seed. Double Americano. Mmmmmmmmm” Do you see a health trend with bikers here??
Michah H. from here in Madison, WI again says, “Batch Bakehouse is my favorite AM (and PM) fuel. Lauren’s apple cake and gingerbread muffins are unique and phenomenal.” I gotta confirm this. I found this tiny bakehouse at the end of Willy St. and they have AMAZING homemade baked goods. It is definitely worth seeking out the small bake shop in your town.
Meg S. from Evanston, IL says, “I want to live in Madison! So many “sweet” places to get snax and coffee. My morning fuel is 16 oz. of kiwi pear green tea and a bowl of high-fiber cereal with milk. Can’t get going without it. If I was biking to work in Madison, I’d want me one of those fluted muffin thingies from the wee li’l Honey Bee Bakery. Yum!” Hey Meg, I’ll stop by and get one of those ‘muffin thingies’ and post a review sometime!
Sarah G. states: “Load me up with a green smoothie and some coffee and I am good to go!” Is that the wheat grass stuff, SJ? Yeah… that stuff is interesting but it does get the system started.
Rachel I. suggests this: “Nancy’s yogurt with blueberries and bananas, wheat germ, ground flax-seed, my very own most excellent homemade granola (oats, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, walnuts, raisins, cranberries, molasses), and a squirt of honey. With a nice BIG cup of hot, strong coffee, of course.” I love it! Homemade granola – really really easy to make – with some non-fat yogurt is an AWESOME way to get rocking in the morning. If someone wants my fool proof homemade granola recipe, just drop me a line and I’ll be happy to send it to you.
Freddy S., who lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (sighs… must be nice!) says, despite an 8750 foot altitude and average of 350 inches of snow each year, he bikes to work everyday – AND uses his bike for errand on the weekend. He relayed this anecdote:
“last summer while on a transcontinental ride, climbing in the mountains near Taos and Trucky, I bonked and ran out of food energy. Oatmeal can take you only so far, that’s when I discovered peach pie and coffee. Made my day, as good as drugs and tastes much better. This year I am limited to four states, but will eat my way through the midwest.” Freddy… you will LOVE the midwest… here in Wisconsin, we have some killer pies!
Finally, Kathryn K. from Madison mentions: “Most mornings I eat oatmeal. Then I might take a yogurt and fruit smoothie if I’m going more than a couple of miles since oatmeal doesn’t really have that many calories. Nature’s Bakery fruited Irish soda bread is fantastic, too.
My favorite fuels for a Saturday ride are Cress Spring pan au chocolate/chocolate brioche and chocolate chip scones. I like to pick up at least one of each at the downtown Farmer’s Market – one for now and how ever many for the ride itself. Tastier than energy bars!” Let me tell you… I have had some sour dough whole wheat bread from Cress Spring Bakery. They bake it in a stone hearth oven that is wood fired. Who needs gas, electric or convection when food nirvana was perfected years ago?!
Whatever your morning bike fuel is, remember that breakfast is THE most important meal for a biker. Getting the protein sugar and, okay, a little caffeine is you so desire, will get you out of the chute in good form. No one wants to bonk – on the way to work or on the way to the next overnight town. So take time to fill up and make sure you carry a snack along in case the going gets tough and you need a boost.
Congrats also to our drawing winners: Michael M. and Sarah G.
Everyone… keep an eye out for the next TOTBC video blog. I think this one might be ‘snow free!’
