Some people commute to work on a bike, and some people just ride around town for fun. But there’s a large group of riders that spend hours, days, and weeks on the open road with the wind in their face.
For those riders, it’s important to eat the right food while traveling. You need to be able to sustain a long day on the road while being attentive to what could happen around the next corner. The most important thing to put in your body is water. Staying hydrated will keep your muscles from locking up while in the seated position for hours at a time. It’s also important to have a little bit of caffeine, but not too much. Being over caffeinated can cause your muscles to tense up and make you anxious, two things that can lead to fatigue while riding.
It’s important to eat lean proteins for energy if your diet allows, and to consume natural sugars. Potassium is another must have while traveling all day on the road. Potassium interacts with the electrical signals from your muscles to the brain, this keeps you from getting cramps and weak muscles. Most importantly, your heart needs potassium to function properly. (Best source of potassium while traveling = banana, grapefruit, avocado, orange)
Most of us need a snack to make it through the day. It’s important to pack items that will not melt or spoil in your saddlebags or pockets. A solid granola bar with fruit chunks inside or a pack of jerky is a favorite among riders.
Most importantly, you don’t want to eat a heavy meal on the road, this will make you tired and slow down your reaction time. Eating a large meal will cause blood to rush to your stomach. Your hands, arms, and feet will take longer to warm up, especially riding on a cold day. Remember to take breaks at your gas stops, stretch, and rehydrate.
Traveling before and after your normal daily routine is also a factor while operating a motorcycle. If you leave your house at 6 AM on your bike when you normally leave your house at 8:30 to go to work, your mind is not fully ready for what it can encounter. The same goes for traveling late at night. If you are normally at home relaxing at 9:30pm your body is acclimated to rest at that time of day, not being fully engaged on a motorcycle in traffic at 9:30pm.
Remember to look out for signs of fatigue while on the road. Be safe, eat right, be mentally prepared, and have fun.
