7 brilliant picnic food recipes for summer rides

What could be better than cycling to a beautiful spot, then breaking open a raft of delicious dishes to enjoy at a leisurely pace before cycling home. The picnic is a mighty invention, made all the better with a spot of cycling.

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Of course, while the bike adds a number of benefits to the experience, such as the ability to get to a prime spot quicker, or out to a remote spot that others can’t reach, it also presents a few limitations. In particular, you need both hands free, so items that can be safely stowed in a backpack without leaking everywhere are a priority.

Luckily, we’ve got a selection of delicious dishes to tempt you with.

We’ve partnered with Olive Magazine (also published by Immediate Media) to bring you the very best recipes for cyclists. All the recipes are easy to follow and take you through step-by-step how to create everything from homemade nutrition products to tasty and hearty post-ride meals. 

Fennel-spiced sausage plait

This version adds a herby twist to the classic, with fennel, chilli and mustard. Don’t fancy mustard? Swap it out for a tasty red onion chutney or similar.

• Fennel-spiced sausage plait recipe at Olive Magazine

Prawn and avocado Vietnamese summer rolls

If you don’t fancy prawns, opt for silken tofu, oyster mushrooms, or just extra veg.

• Prawn and avocado Vietnamese summer rolls recipe at Olive Magazine

Marmite and cheddar muffins

• Marmite and cheddar muffins recipes on Olive Magazine 

Classic Cornish pasties

Once you’ve got the pastry recipe right, you can start experimenting with fillings. While the classic pasty is strictly steak and potato, there are hundreds of combinations you could try, such as leek, potato and cheddar, or chickpea and chorizo. Get creative!

• Classic Cornish pasties recipes at Olive Magazine

Mini picnic frittatas

• Mini picnic frittata recipe at Olive Magazine

Scotch eggs

• Scotch eggs recipe at Olive Magazine

Red devil and green goddess dips

Feeling like the above list of suggestions is a little light on the veggies? Get a concentrated dose with these two easy dips.

Bring some crunchy veg or breadsticks, pop the dips into sealable plastic container, and you’ve got canapes on the go!

The red dip is made with a combination of red-coloured foods, and combines peppers, harrissa and garlic, while the green contains avocado, basil and mint.

• Red devil and green goddess dips recipe at Olive Magazine

Check out our other tasty recipes and get yourself fuelled for cycling from sunrise to sunset:

• 7 tasty, fast and light fish dishes
• 10 protein-rich meals for post-ride recovery
• 10 quick and easy post-ride dinners
• 5 delicious flapjack and breakfast bar recipes
• 10 hearty and satisfying vegetarian soups
• 10 simple and warming soups for winter