How I’m Fueling My Rides This Holiday Season
I don’t know about you, but I have some big ride plans for the holiday season.
Long rides. Early starts. Rolling back through the door late, dusty, tired, and very glad I went. The kind of rides that feel like a mini adventure.
When rides get longer, fuelling matters. A lot.
It affects how you feel on the bike, how strong you finish, and whether you can back it up the next day without feeling completely cooked. And the good news is, this time of year we’re surrounded by fuel. It just doesn’t always look like it comes in cycling packaging.
Here’s how I’m using holiday food to fuel my rides over the break.
Christmas Mince Pies
These are elite endurance fuel in disguise.
Pastry, dried fruit, sugar. It’s basically a carbohydrate bomb wrapped in festive branding. They’re energy-dense, easy to eat, and don’t require any prep beyond wrapping one in foil and popping it in your pocket.
Perfect for long rides when gels start to feel a bit much.
Ham Sandwiches (or Little Paninis)
Ham and cream cheese paninis were a staple during stages of the Giro d’Italia. No joke.
They broke up the constant sweetness of gels and bars and gave you something savoury to look forward to. Leftover Christmas ham makes this one very easy.
They’re great mid-ride, especially on longer days, and slot nicely into your fuel rotation when heavily processed ride food stops appealing.
Soft Drink
Soft drink on the bike is a very quick way to get sugar into your body.
If you’ve got excess soft drink hanging around over the holidays, don’t be shy about using it. A cold Fanta or Coke in your bottle can be a lifesaver when you’re low on energy or it’s really hot.
You don’t need to overthink it. Sugar is sugar when you’re riding.
Fruit Cake or Christmas Cake
Dense. Sugary. Portable.
Fruit cake is another endurance classic, whether it’s homemade or store-bought. It’s high in carbohydrates, holds together well, and is easy to slice and wrap.
Small pieces go a long way, especially late in a long ride when you just need something solid.
Boiled Potatoes with Salt
This one isn’t festive, but it works.
Boiled potatoes with a generous pinch of salt are brilliant fuel. They’re easy to digest, not sweet, and provide both carbs and sodium. Wrap a couple in foil and you’ve got simple, effective ride fuel that your stomach will thank you for.
The Big Picture: Fuelling doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Especially over the holidays. Use what you have. Mix sweet with savoury. Eat early and eat often. And remember that good fuelling isn’t just about getting through today’s ride — it’s about enjoying tomorrow’s too.
If you’ve got big ride plans this summer, fuel them well. And if that includes a mince pie halfway through, even better.
Happy riding 🤍