Call the Chef! – Chapter 3 of The Stagecoach-ish 400
Words and Photos by Rie Sawada
I am notorious for carrying more snacks than anyone else on a ride; so much so that I’ve adopted the title of “snack queen.” I really enjoy bike camping rides because they’re an opportunity for me to create my memorable snacks, Rie style with colorful toppings.
I often make simple camping curry and ramen that anyone can make. Hi Hey Hello Magazine 004 also introduced my favorite camping ramen recipe. The procedure for topping curry and ramen is the same. I’ll top them with portable snacks (dry mango, jerky, seasoned seaweed), but also top them with fresh vegetables and fruit like arugula, mini carrots, snap peas, apples, etc. that can also be used for breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Everything is colorful- a good indication you’re getting your vitamins and minerals! It looks delicious with toppings, and it’s fun and photogenic.
However, even I get tired of curry and ramen, so I’m always searching for a new dish to create. I’m also curious and wanting to learn about the style of dishes from other friends, and it helps me think outside of my normal routines. If I don’t go, I’ll forget how to make camping rice, so I want to go to bike packing with my friends! It helps to motivate me every time.
The 7-day touring felt surprisingly long. It’s 7 days, but I don’t carry 7 days’ worth of food, and we come to the store once every 1-2 days, so I try to carry 1-2 days’ worth of emergency food. Because it is a desert, there are few to no shops and there are days with no options. route map It is very important to check the shops and business hours in advance and plan daily food. I used to have a friend of mine who had planned a morning, lunch and evening menu in advance. Even if I try it, what I want to eat changes depending on how tired I am and how I feel, and I haven’t been able to carry out the pre-menu plan. But rides like this make me think maybe it would be worth the discipline.
If my pace of riding is slower than other members, the store may close, so it is very important to secure water for cooking and staying hydrated.
Wouldn’t you know on day 6, which was one of the hardest days- the day I rode my heavy bicycle for hours up a steep rocky mountain, the soles of my shoes literally came off, and I had been pestered by flies alI day. I was so tired. The whole crew were waiting for my arrival with beers next to the supermarket. (I guess they’d been waiting for about 40 minutes) But by the time I arrived, the store was already closed and OMG! That store is the only food replenishment spot of the day. I only had breakfast oatmeal and ride snacks, my water had already run out, and the ride was so harsh that I couldn’t even think of dinner.
Kyle had a lot of easy instant dry foods just to add hot water to and he made them for me. (Good-looking out guy!) At that time GOOD TO-GO Mushroom Risotto was really delicious. I bought it later and decided to bring it as an emergency food for camping.
Blake also made sausages with his tiny cast iron pan and shared them. You can share it with everyone, and the sausages are easy to carry, so it’s a good idea! It was really delicious with toppings on the risotto.
What you should have is a friend ♡ Everyone will share rice and beer with me. I really appreciate my friends at such times.
I will often bring two bagels for a regular ride. They satisfy my hunger and just fit in the top pocket of the Outershell front bag. I make bagel sandwiches for breakfast, eat half in the morning, and eat the other half in the afternoon.
But what do you do on the morning of the third day? What I learned this time was “Flat Bread” that I bought at a shop along the way. Burritos are good, but Flat Bread is also delicious, and I ate it in a pizza style, topped with chopped bananas, nuts, peanut butter, and the jerky I had from my snacks. You can share it with your friends!
It is recommended to carry various types of snacks that are easy to top with camping food.
Eggs for breakfast out of my cast iron pan is typically what I want for breakfast but it seemed heavy for this ride. But, Alas! What I learned from Jason and Blake this time was that they brought a super small cast iron pan. Since then, I’ve been looking for it. But I can’t find this size so easily. I was so impressed that these two Super Yummy tire riders are also really good at some Super Yummy Bikepacking.
After the meal, Blake made everyone an old fashioned cocktail. What a great idea! Whiskey is easy to carry and can be shared with everyone, note to self…
Bike packing and endurance are spiritual in their nature. If you think it’s fun, it’s fun! But if you think it’s not interesting, then it won’t be interesting … Like most things, you’ll get out of it what you put in to it.
Stagecoach is a long and hard touring route at about 400 miles (600 km), and there are people who race this route, but the reason I wanted to ride in this Stagecoach-ish outing this time wasn’t it’s distance or difficulty, but how fun it is, and I wanted to see if I could finish it. After all, it’s about enjoying my favorite snacks and good times with my friends.
Food and mind are the sources of energy. Make your favorite food, arrange it, and share it with your friends. No matter how much you enjoy your meal on the ride, it’s very important!
FUN FACT: A person who rides Super Yummy tires, carries Super Yummy food on their bike anywhere they go.
