Final time I talked about our authentic dietary planning for our self-supported Iceland bikepacking journey. However how did issues really work out (or not)?
Initially, the journey was surreal, otherworldly, and fifty shades past superior. Nevertheless, because the well-known quote attributed to Mike Tyson goes, “Each plan is ideal till you get punched within the mouth.” Our greatest-laid plans beforehand have been no totally different.
Test Import Laws!
When you recall, I had all these terrific plans for pre-portioned granola with skim milk powder and dried berries. I additionally deliberate a communal meal of shepherd’s pie with prompt mashed potatoes. And I used to be planning so as to add crumbled, dehydrated cooked sausages to my pilaf rice dish for an additional dinner. Plus I had deliberate pre-portioned meal substitute mixes of skim milk powder, protein powder, breakfast drink powder, and crushed dehydrated raspberries.
And in one other nod to crew solidarity, I vacuum-sealed packs of 5 pepperettes to share with the gang…
Then whereas displaying off all of this bounty to the fellows on our WhatsApp chat with lower than per week to go, Dave pipes up with “Hey, has anybody checked whether or not we are able to deliver meat merchandise into Iceland?
Uh ohhh…
A fast Google search knowledgeable us – to a lot cursing – that no “non-EU meat or dairy merchandise” have been allowed for both private or industrial use.
Web site of the unlikeliest all-you-can-eat sushi bar on the planet…
That led to per week of panic for all of us, as we quickly reconfigured our meals concepts, actually as I used to be within the midst of dehydrating sausage and shepherd’s pie combine! Fortunately, I made my rice dish individually, in order that might be stored as is. I remade a shepherd’s pie combine with Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) as an alternative. And I re-portioned granola with out skim milk powder.
Lesson Realized: Clearly, for those who’re going worldwide, examine import rules! Secondly, it is likely to be a superb time to go vegan!
Meals is Extra Than Gas
At a celebratory dinner of fantastic lamb shoulder after getting again to Reykjavik, Sean requested “What was our greatest takeaway?” My take then (and now) was the facility of an awesome crew. All through the journey, all of us remarked how there was no manner we’d ever have made it by solo. However man, did we ever have a tremendous time collectively!
And pondering again, I firmly consider {that a} vital part of our fabulous crew dynamic was the choice to make communal lunches and dinners. One apparent benefit was that it supplied prompt selection in eating regimen (or at the least, we discovered many alternative methods to make use of pre-packaged tuna!). However extra importantly, it set the quick expectation that we have been answerable for one another relatively than simply for ourselves.
We typically averted the effort of breaking out a range for lunches, however Day 3 was stunning round lunchtime and we discovered a beautiful stopping level. Sean whipped up a (you guessed it) tuna with rice dish for us. Cleanup was additionally tremendous easy, as we simply ate proper out of the packaged rice packs. Lesson realized: have a plan however be versatile!
One other factor that sport dietician Alex Winnicki emphasised to us in our planning assembly was that, whereas we shouldn’t make it a default behavior to make meals a reward – both to withhold meals until we do one thing or to do one thing strictly for a meals reward – that goes out the window on the subject of bikepacking. So having a deal with stored in an “finish of day” pack can do wonders for morale on an extended day.
Sean savouring the primary of what turned out to be many Icelandic sizzling canines throughout our adventures. After 3 days of onerous using, it was the perfect $12 meals reward possible!
For me, I stocked up in Reykjavik with packets of peanut M&Ms together with a Snickers bar for every day, packed them in a particular spot in my saddlebag the place I stored all my “finish of day” provides (garments, range, and so on.), and savoured every deal with. That was particularly the case with Day 2’s 67 km taking 12.5 h to finish!
Classes Realized: Meals is gas however it’s additionally a lot extra. It’s a approach to set up neighborhood. And whereas it shouldn’t be an on a regular basis behavior, meals as reward does have its place.
Icelandic All You Can Eat Sushi!
Chris undoubtedly gained the “Culinary Delight” award on our journey. After a really lengthy Day 1 that introduced house the fact of what we have been doing, we rapidly re-adjusted to a plan of two lunches a day.
So there we have been on the finish of 20 km of surreal flat volcanic sand plain, parked subsequent to an immense mountain coated with iridescent inexperienced moss, and Chris breaks out a pack of seaweed nori, sesame packets, white rice he cooked that morning, packaged tuna, sizzling sauce, and a tube of wasabi. Earlier than let’s imagine “All you possibly can eat sushi” we have been feasting on spicy tuna rolls!
To say we have been stunned, thrilled, and supremely pleased at this surprising delight was an enormous understatement. Greater than energy, it gave us a lot motivation for the following a part of the day.
Oh then the most recent spherical of heavy rain rolled in…
Lesson Realized: Bikepacking isn’t any excuse for boring meals. Have enjoyable with procuring and planning!
Consuming and Consuming Challenges
One of many challenges we confronted with merely having the ability to eat or drink. That was as a result of closely loaded bikes, bumpy terrain, and whipping winds. Using took our full focus, so we had little potential to eat and even drink whereas using.
We rapidly settled right into a routine of stopping in order that we might all regroup each 20-Half-hour. This was our alternative to drink and wolf down fistfuls of snacks. After all, there have been additionally plenty of unplanned stops to push the bike or simply to catch our breaths, giving us additional impromptu consuming/consuming alternatives.
Talking of which, what did I really eat throughout an extended day? For the 12.5 h day, I had my granola combine and occasional within the morning. Two lunches of sushi and tuna and cheese tortilla wraps. 3 Clif bars and about 300 g price of gummy treats. Plus a day espresso at a mountain hut. Washed down with about 2.5 L complete of water or electrolyte combine. Won’t sound like a lot, however we have been all fairly well-fueled all through the day and nonetheless had good vitality on the finish of the day.
Lesson Realized: Bikepacking and ultra-cycling is simply as a lot about managing your diet and psychological recreation as having the appropriate health. Three of my crew had a few third of the biking of their legs as I had resulting in the journey, however we have been all at about the identical tempo because of our efficient fueling over the lengthy days.
Ended our journey with a celebratory drink and scrumptious pizza whereas ready for our shuttle again to Reykjavik. Happiness, sense of feat, and exhaustion all in equal measure in our expressions!
Abstract
I hope that this quick sequence gave you some perception into the dietary technique behind ultra-cycling and bikepacking, and particularly that it offers you motivation to plot out your individual adventures!
Keep heat, trip lengthy, eat nicely, and have enjoyable!
Thanks once more to Alex Winnicki for the recommendation. Take a look at his vary of sport dietician providers at Second Arrow Vitamin. When you’ve got any sports activities diet questions you need Alex to deal with in his upcoming Toolbox articles, contact him at [email protected].
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