British chef cooks up menu for bikers
From the archives of Clutch and Chrome News
August 17th, 2006

When it comes to grub, Britain's bikers may be more closely associated with greasy fry ups, burgers and beer, but now one of the country's upcoming celebrity chefs and a motorcycle insurance broker are teaming up to encourage bikers to get culinary in their choice of food if they want a good day on the road.

Motorcycle insurance broker Devitt and bike-mad TV chef Steven Walpole have teamed up to produce the perfect menu for a day's motorcycling.

According to them, bikers should forget the kebab shops and chocolate bars; teriyaki salmon, muesli and pasta with sun-dried pesto are what the nation's motorcyclists should be filling up on.

"As a keen biker, I know how a good balanced diet actually affects my rides and concentration," says Steve.

"As a rider of a supersports bike, I've also encountered the nasty, bloated, full and eaten-too-much syndrome from the leant-over riding position which is then exaggerated when going through twisty roads.

"The challenge Devitt gave me was to find the ideal meals and snacks to have when on the road. This menu will help you stay alert, feel content and on top of things.

"Bikers need to think about the food they eat when they plan their routes. Concentration and alertness are the keys to a safe ride and great day on the road."

William Hughes, Managing Director of Romford-based motorcycle insurance broker Devitt said:

"When you spend half your life studying motorcycle claims statistics, you start to look at all the factors that can help a biker's safety. Food is one that's never been examined in much detail, but we all know that certain types of meals affect our mental and physical state. We wanted to help bikers by giving them a biker-based menu and asking Steve to provide some general food advice.

If it helps keep just a few more bikers off those claims statistics, then it's well worth the effort from our perspective."

The following, unconventional, biking menu by award winning chef Steve Walpole, has been created with both health and safety in mind, giving bikers the best possible nutrition while keeping them alert and level headed.

Breakfast

Homemade muesli, muesli biscuits, yoghurt and berry dip

Banana, mango and passion fruit smoothie or carrot, pineapple
and yellow pepper juice smoothie


Lunch

Lemon grass and coconut chicken salad with ciabatta croutons,
lime dressing

Teriyaki salmon with stir fry vegetable wrap with a coriander
crème fraiche


Snacks

Fruit crisps

Homemade nut brittle

Cous cous cake with dried fruit


Dinner

Green pea and bacon soup with wholemeal bap

Pasta with sun dried tomato pesto and a rocket salad


Drinks

Lemon, black grape and Thai basil flavoured water

Homemade peach iced tea