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Cycle touring cooking recipes

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.

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Breakfast:

You've probably heard this a lot, but breakfast really is the most important meal of the day (especially when you're getting ready to rack up the kilometres). Go for muesli, fruit, crakers and crispbreads instead of pastries to fuel up with energy. And you have all the regular beverages options, like water, juice, coffee and tea.

💡 Recipe idea
Porrige is all the rage these days with those on cycling tours. And it's pretty much the easiest thing to prepare. In your pot, mix milk with oats and bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat once it reaches the texture you like. Now comes the fun part: add in all your favourite toppings, like fruit, nuts, dried fruit and chocolate. All that's left to do is enjoy!

Lunch:

This meal is often eaten on the go. On La Vélodyssée, there are lots of markets where you can buy fresh products and culinary specialities. Watch for Roscoff onions, fresh fish and seafood on the Atlantic coast, and delicious ham in Bayonne. Be sure to take every opportunity to enjoy the local gastronomy all along your route.

💡 Recipe idea
If you're Basque country, you can throw together a sandwich with Bayonne ham and sheep's milk cheese. It'll be fast and tasty, plus you'll be exploring the local delicacies. Otherwise, there's nothing like a good tabbouleh with market veggies.

Dinner:

After pedalling all day, you deserve a good dinner. If you're staying at a campsite, take advantage of the equipped kitchen to make a meal like you would at home.

💡 Recipe idea
Near the coast? This is your opportunity to have some fish, pan fried with olive oil, lemon and aromatic herbs. Serve it with fresh veggies and some rice. If you feel more like having a steak, go for it. You have time. This can also be served with seasonal vegetables purchased at a local greengrocer.

If you don't have access to a kitchen, then make a salad. Put together avocado, kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, feta and pumpkin seeds tossed with an olive oil, lemon juice and Tabasco (optional) dressing. You'll love the super fresh taste.

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.