My kitchen is very basic. I love coffee, let me rephrase that I NEED coffee, strong black drip coffee. My Jetboil stove is one of the originals, I bought it when Jetboil was a small startup company in New England. I've had it since 2003 or so and have used it everyday of every trip without a hitch. I have replaced some parts, they sell rebuild kits. If it ever gives out I will buy another one. The larger pot is also from Jetboil, it has the flanged bottom to heat effectively minimizing fuel use.
I consider my dry food as emergency food to use in a pinch. I try to always have a couple days of food from regular grocery stores on board. If I buy meat, eggs and cheese, it doesn't need refrigerated as long as I use it in a day or so. Beans, fruit, peanut butter, jelly and bread are my favorite.
I'm not a picky eater, fancy food is good but I have a no frills basic cave man approach to food. I do love meat, take the hair off, show it a fire and I'm good. Over a long trip, mentally, emotionally and physically food becomes fuel, eating is more a need not a pleasure. You start to think of it like a gas tank fuel gauge. You begin to feel the food you eat so listen to your body, what you crave is probably what your body needs.
I do treat myself to a half gallon of vanilla ice-cream at the end of every 100 mile day. I'm not sure I have very many of those in me, maybe I'll drop it to 75 or 80. My daily milage depends on my mood, terrain, weather, headwinds and distractions. My focus on total miles has faded over the years, I think I'm learning to relax more, enjoy the journey and explore the distractions. If it is a day my body feels right and a long day happens I love sitting on the sidewalk in front of a mom and pop grocery store smiling while I consume the whole half gallon and feel the cold fill my belly this is a guilty pleasure.
Hydration is much more vital than food. The west has some vast spaces. I have a water filter that I try not to need, it makes water safe but not good tasting. Water is usually available particularly in the west. In a pinch I have held up water bottles to passing cars, asked car campers or asked people I see by their houses for water and have never been turned down. A lake or stream works in a pinch so I feel a filter is worth carrying. I can carry 6 Liters of fresh water with my extra collapsible bottles. I also use a hydration drink tablet to avoid cramping, GU Hydration Lemon Lime Tabs are my favorite.
My usual day on the road; I start with coffee while I break camp. I try to ride 20-30 miles to find a good breakfast diner, you can usually get a big breakfast fairly cheap. Ride another 30+ mile stint and try to find a grocery store along the way. Sometimes there are fruit stands, most fruit travels well but you need to eat strawberries where you buy them because bicycles turn them to jam because of the vibration.
Find a place to camp, set up camp, watch the sunset, cook dinner, clean up, go to bed then wake up and repeat.
Left rear pannier also holds my toiletries and a Big Angus ultra light camp stool. At my age and new knee I need this creature comfort.
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