9 Ways to Wrap, Pack, and Carry Your Cycling Snacks
I love to make homemade snacks to take with me on bike rides. I love to ride my bike. Riding a bicycle down uneven singletrack and enjoying tasty treats brings me immense joy. Naturally, combining the two is a recipe for unparalleled happiness. It’s why I started Biked Goods in the first place.
Bars and gels are quick and easy, yes. But do they bring you joy on the trail? Food is meant to be enjoyed, satisfy our taste buds, and make us happy. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anyone say, “I can’t wait to eat that delicious pre-packaged bar or gel in my back pocket.” But a homemade baked cookie, bar, or ride pie -that’s something you’ll look forward to no matter what.
But what’s almost just as important to me as my portable snacks? How I wrap and carry them! Once you get in the kitchen whipping up homemade portable cycling snacks, you need optimal ways to wrap, store, and ride with them.
Whether it’s for racing, trail riding, bikepacking, or casual strolls down the road, how you pack your snacks matters! Not to mention, packing your snacks takes down the use of single-use plastic at a significant level.
In this post, I share 9 Ways To Wrap, Pack, And Carry Your Cycling Snacks. Because protecting your precious goodies is almost just as important as making them.
1. Energy Gel Flask
Reusable energy flasks are the perfect storage companion for homemade energy gels and liquids while on the bike. Though it may sound daunting, making your homemade gels and squeezes are not only cheaper–most commercial gels run upwards of $1.50–but the process is as easy and customizable as whipping up a smoothie.
I like to use the Energy Gel Flask Brand during races or intense training rides. Your order comes with 2-3.5 oz flasks. They are simple to open/close with a secure cap and have a wide mouth that makes them easy to fill and simple to clean (dishwasher safe).
2. Reusable Baby Food Pouch
For an easy way to store smoothies and squeeze and eat them while riding, try a reusable baby food pouch. The WeeSprout brand makes a 3.4-oz reusable pouch that’s easy to use, transport on your bike, and clean. I love to fill mine with a Strawberry Banana Squeeze made with banana, fresh strawberries, Calrose rice, and maple syrup. I’ve used these reusable baby food pouches for long-endurance rides when I need f
Try filling up your energy gel flasks or reusable baby food pouches with one of these 6 Homemade Energy Gels And Squeeze recipes.
3. Skratch Paper 2.0 or Slick Wrap
Skratch Labs’ parchment-lined aluminum foil perfectly wraps and transports all those delicious goodies you're about to make. The beauty of parchment-lined foil is that you get the durability and shaping ability with foil, and the non-stick, with parchment paper.
If you want a bulk alternative to Skratch Paper, try Slick Wrap Foil Backed Parchment Paper. It’s essentially the same product as Skratch, except it comes in a roll and you just need to cut individual pieces when you need to wrap your snacks.
4. Bee’s Wrap
Bee’s Wrap is a reusable, alternative food wrapping product to plastic or aluminum foil. I own a pack of 2 small, 2 medium, and 1 large wraps to pack bars, pancakes, cookies, sandwiches, and burritos.
They are made from sustainably harvested beeswax, GOTS-certified cotton, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin, all ethically sourced and manufactured and completely biodegradable. Pick up a pack today. Your snacks and the environment will thank you.
5. Stasher Reusable Sandwich, Snack, And Pocket Bags
Reusable silicone bags are the most convenient and versatile way to pack, store, and organize a variety of foods. Here are a few ways I’ve used Stasher Bags to pack and transport food while on my bike.
During a backpacking trip, I packed dry muesli in a snack-sized bag and added hot water right to the bag for a warm breakfast.
During long-haul rides, I’ve stored sweet potato sandwiches and burritos inside a sandwich-sized bag.
During a casual trail ride, I’ve packed a snack-sized bag with this Maple Turmeric Trail Mix (recipe 15 in this post)
I’ve used the pocket-and-go bags to carry small amounts of nuts, dried fruits, small cookies, energy chews, and more small bites during casual bike rides on local trails.
I’ve used these as garbage bags to pack out food wrappers and waste while I’m out camping or riding in the backcountry.
I’m sure you could find 100+ other ways to pack food with these during your next adventure.
6. Top Tube Bag
If you plan to be out for a full day of riding and aim to keep moving, the Revelate Designs Top Tube Bag is a great companion to help store extra bike snacks. The self-engaging magnetic buckle closure allows easy, single-handed access to your snacks while riding. No stopping is required. Depending on the size, I can fit about 4-5 wrapped portable snacks in my top tube bag.
7. Revelate Designs Mountain Handlebar Feedbag
I love the fact that Revelate Designs Makes a Handlebar Feedbag. Think of this product as an on-the-go aid station for endurance riding. This feedbag attaches to your bike's handlebar stem to offer fumble-free, one-handed access to all your snacks. The cinch/loosen chord design also makes opening and closing the bag easy, another plus while riding. I’ve also used this bag to store extra water bottles if you need extra hydration for a multi-day trip.
8. Osprey Talon 11L Backpack
I bought this Osprey Talon 11L backpack after reading a review of it on bikepacking.com. It features a lean and light design but seems to pack way more than the 11L product description states. During a 2-night backpacking trip, I was able to fit a base layer top and bottom, my puffy coat, a winter hat, a water filtration system, an extra pair of socks, 3 burritos, some snacks, miscellaneous bike gear, and a 2.5L water pouch in it.
I also use this backpack while coaching all-day youth mountain biking camps. Inside I fit plenty of snacks, a packed lunch, a first aid kit, a raincoat, and spare parts/tools. Want another fun way to use this backpack? Order a baguette from your local bakery, get on your bike, pick it up, and slide it into your pack. Been there and done that!
9. Musette Bag
One of the most iconic images of the Tour de France is the musette bag (or Feed bag) that riders grab from the side of the road and sling over their shoulders. Inside are homemade little sandwiches, bars, and pastries that riders enjoy while on the go.
I’m not saying you’re a Tour De France rider, nor do you need to use this while racing, but the Musette Bag can still be a functional way to carry food while on the bike. Stuff it with groceries, your favorite pastries from the local bakery, or dish out some of your homemade portable snacks to other cyclists while out on the road.
Get a free Biked Goods Musette Bag when you order the Bakin’ Biker ‘24 cookbook. Inside you’ll find over 100+ recipes, including portable snacks, you can use to make and take with you on the go.
Order The Bakin’ Biker ‘24 Cookbook
With over 100 real-food recipes, Bakin’ Biker ‘24 combines quick and small meals, portable ride snacks, family-style dishes, and sweet treats to help you eat, bike, and feel good.
Bakin’ Biker ‘24 Magazine
The 2024 edition of Biked Goods annual magazine is jam packed with 100+ real-food recipes to help you eat, bike, and feel good.
What Is your favorite way to carry Cycling snacks?
Here are a few portable snack recipes you can wrap and ride with!
Apple, Nut Butter, and Date Sandwich - Store in a Stasher Sandwich bag
Figgin Awesome Date Bars - Wrap in Skratch Paper 2.0 or Bee’s Wrap
Biked Good Mini Muesli Bites - Store in a Stasher Snack Bag or wrap and put in a Top Tube Bag
Want more portable snack recipes? Join the Bakin’ Biker’s Club for new recipes and nutrition tips each week.
Share your favorite ways to carry your cycling snacks below. Have a favorite portable snack recipe? Share those too!
