I don't know... On the Boston Brevets we had a reasonable amount of
food at many checkpoints, and it was nice. I (and most of you, I
imagine) go on long self-supported rides most weekends of the year, so
I enjoy picking up a bit of food at stops on organized rides. :)

V8 is great. Real food (sliced bread, cheese) is good. Sugar cookies,
baked potatoes, yum. (Maybe I'll bake some potatoes to share for an
upcoming brevet.) I don't really like gels, but Clif Gel Blocks (or
whatever they're called) are good in a pinch. Clif Bars, on the other
hand, I've always found too dry on rides, but I enjoy them on day
hikes. Just my two cents.

max

On Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 11:43 AM, jim g <jimg@...> wrote:
> On Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 11:31 AM, Joseph Maurer <velocio1@...> wrote:
>>
>> On brevet controls, I wouldn't expect anything - other than maybe
>> water, if the control is way "out there" and it's a hot day.
>> Ironically, water was in short supply at the Point Reyes control (I
>> didn't need it anyway - not so hot!); and yes, water was available not
>> far from the control.
>>
>> Now, if something is offered at manned controls, which seems to become
>> more and more of a (bad?) habit, I will not always stay away from it.
>> But I don't want to rely on it, and even less make suggestions for
>> what should be there.
>
> I think this is a valid point! After all, the point of randonneuring
> is to be self-sufficient, right? While I do enjoy the random free
> mini Payday bar, it's not something I'll rely on, provided that I've
> sufficiently prepared for the ride. I'd focus mainly on water
> availability, and target the food to "special events" like the very
> nice lunch provided at the mid-point control on the Winters 200k
> (thanks again Gino & Claire for sandwich-slinging!).
>
>> It's different at the finish, for the sake of facilitating some post-ride
>> socializing.
>
> Yes, I'd definitely agree here too! And in that context, I'll vote
> for pizza! ;)
>
> -Jim G
>
> --
> jimg at yojimg dot net
>