Tired of eating pasta? Here are a few cycle touring cooking ideas to mix things up.
Who says that a cycling tour means eating plain pasta for every meal? Cooking while touring is possible! You need good meals that provide plenty of energy. Here are some Made in La Vélodyssée meal ideas.
Along with your camping stove, think about bringing reusable fabric bags for your shopping, storage containers, protein bars, and seeds and nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds). You can also put jam or honey in a plastic jar to reduce the weight. But, be sure to bring just what’s strictly necessary. You can always do some shopping at local markets to pick up tasty fresh products.
Breakfast:
No need to remind you, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day (especially when you are about to ride lots of kilometres). Choose muesli, fruit, wholemeal bread, crackers and rusks over pastries for good energy intake. As for drinks, water, juice, coffee and tea, you are spoilt for choice!
💡 Recipe idea
Porridge is a big hit with cycle tourists. And nothing could be easier to make! Mix milk with oats in your saucepan, stir gently and take it off the heat once the texture suits you. Then add whatever you like: fruit, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate,... And there you go, all that's left is to enjoy it!
Lunch:
This is the meal most often eaten on the go. On La Vélodyssée, you will find plenty of markets where you can buy fresh produce and culinary specialities! Roscoff onions, fresh fish and shellfish on the Atlantic coast and, in Bayonne, a delicious ham! The key is to make the most of the local cuisine all along your trip.
💡 Recipe idea
If you are in the Basque Country, you can put together a sandwich with Bayonne ham and sheep's cheese. Quick and effective, and you also discover the local produce. Otherwise, nothing beats a good tabbouleh with market vegetables!
Dinner:
After pedalling all day, you have earned a good dinner. If you are staying at a campsite, some sites provide shared covered kitchen areas, perfect for hikers and ideal for cooking dishes that almost recall the comfort of home!
💡 Recipe idea
If you are near the coast, seize the opportunity to enjoy a succulent fish, pan-fried with olive oil, lemon and aromatic herbs. Serve it with fresh vegetables and a portion of rice. For meat lovers, take your time and enjoy a nice cut, served with seasonal vegetables found at a local grocer's.
If you don't have access to a kitchen, make yourself a salad! Avocado, kidney beans, tomato, onion, lettuce, feta and seeds, all mixed in a sauce of olive oil, lemon juice and Tabasco (optional). Guaranteed success!
It’s a mistake to think that you won’t be able to cook any good bike touring food recipes. It’s always possible to make a tasty, healthy and energy-boosting meal. With these cycle touring cooking ideas, you won’t have any more excuses for eating pasta for every meal. Take this opportunity to sample the local cuisine, taste new flavours and enjoy your time on La Vélodyssée to the fullest.
And if you also want to take a well-deserved break at one of the many restaurants along the itinerary, check out our list of favourite dining spots here.
