For maximum efficiently one’s planning must start before leaving home. In my experience the essentials are: an open top kettle (without coils in the bottom so you can cook pasta, rice, etc in it: these are about $10 at Target or Walmart); a Swiss army knife equipped with a can opener; a fork & a spoon that you don’t mind losing (i.e. don’t bring part of the set you got as a wedding gift!); sea salt; your favourite pre-ground beans; and a French press travel mug (Starbucks makes a great one well worth the $25 investment). To this you can add a few extras depending on your tastes- cinnamon, that kind of thing. Some of my team mates travel with small rice cookers, blenders, etc. But these can add up weight and space wise which- when you’re trying to skimp on baggage fees in our new world of pay out the wazzooo for every piece of luggage- is of serious consideration.
Upon arrival do a quick inventory of what’s available, both in the room and the hotel as a whole. In North America many rooms come equipped with a small fridge and microwave – between these and your plug in hotpot get ready for hotel gourmet. OK, well maybe not quite gourmet, but definitely inexpensive real food. Back to our inventory…. If you’re lucky your hotel will have some form of continental breakfast which will really help fortify your hotel eats. Our Roadway Inn had fruit, yogourt, some cereal that I personally wouldn’t bother eating, watery coffee and sugary juice which go in the same category as the aforementioned cereal, tea bags, miniature cinnamon buns, but best of all, make-it-yourself waffles. Mmmm, mmm! We won’t think about what’s exactly in them, just enjoy and know its fueling those hard raced miles ahead.
Next up is the grocery store; the first shop is often done in a state of post-travel stupor combined with a mild case of hypoglycemia. And of course on what is supposed to be a tight 20 minute timeline. Picture six- give or take- ravenous, quasi-adults dressed in matching clothing invading the isles of a foreign grocery store. The carts quickly pile high with what is stated to “just be for the first couple days”. It’s quite the operation. Calling out, “where’d you find the almond butter? Do they have race pasta? Where’s the bubbly water? Can we drink the water here? Did you see the price of the apples?” A ridiculous sight really.
Here’s your opportunity to pick up any supplies you may have forgotten in packing haste- grab a spoon and a fork from the deli, some salt and pepper, maybe even some little packets of mustard or ketchup if you’re into that kind of thing. And don’t forget to pick up a Tupperware container to serve as your ”bowl” for the week. If you’re feeling flush and fancy splurge on the glass one and heat stuff in the microwave guilt-free! Or you could opt for a stack of $.99 paper cups as one of my team mates just did.
Now the grocery store race is on. You want to make sure that you get everything you need, passing your team mates a few times scanning their carts to see whether they found any good buys and making sure you aren’t forgetting anything imperative; then to the checkout. You certainly don’t want to always be the last one through. It’s never a popular thing to be the one holding up the shopping trip as those already through are likely ready to break open their bag of frozen shrimp and start gnawing on the little crustaceans right there at the front of the store.
Bike racers seem to be affected by travel/fatigue/hunger in one of two ways: either they bust into the store, buy 4 things and are out front waiting for the rest of the team who are of the second type. These second types exhibit sloth-like behavoiur when faced with the bright lights, shiny packaging and endless options afforded in most stores. They’re still starting at the ingredients on the back of the natural, “just peanuts” peanut butter jar in isle 3. Anyhow, I am definitely of the later type so the comment about aiming to be mid pack through the checkout line is fresh outta my strategy handbook on team grocery shopping.
OK, now that the shopping is done its time to divvy up the mini fridge space with your roomie. This is when you’re super happy to learn that your roomie bought almost all frozen meals and non-perishables. Score, all your stuff will actually fit in that tiny little fridge!!
So what’s actually on the menu? Well, good-as-it-gets coffee, oats with whatever you choose mixed in, fruit, raw and steamed veggies, rice pasta, sandwiches, wraps, canned fish, shrimp or turkey meatballs from the frozen section, boiled eggs…. Not bad really. Well in my humble opinion anyway.
By mid stage race you’ll probably be torched enough that you’ll be hitting the Wendy’s drive through for a baked potato and chili anyway. Or maybe burritos from the dodgy stand down the road.
It won’t be fancy but it’s certainly possible to eat well outta your hotel room. And it makes returning to the luxury of either your own kitchen, or that of a host family, a real treat!
Thanks for checking in! And see you in isle 3....
Fueled by hotel livin' eats & w eload in our botttles the Juvederm girls head to the TT, Gila Stag Race, April 29.
