What to Eat: Cycling Snacks in England

OTE Bars are built for endurance — light enough to carry without adding too much bulk, yet rich enough in flavour to keep you feeling fueled for your bike tour. Each OTE bar uses ingredients chosen to supply energy without weighing you down.

Flavours range from tangy fruit-based to nutty varieties, with some sweeter options to satisfy those of us with a significant sweet tooth. Dan recommends OTE bars as an ideal bike snack, and has carefully curated a delicious range of flavours available on all Wilderness England bike tours.

When to eat: They are perfect during long flat segments or rolling countryside. They are also a fabulous snack to kick off your day’s route, helping to top up your reserves.

Texture and taste notes: While softer than some bars, OTE bars have enough chewiness to feel satisfying but not gummy. Fruit bits or nuts add texture and flavour contrast (the fruit ones bring a slight tartness that’s refreshing for many cyclists).

Local tip: OTE is a UK-based brand, meaning you’ll likely find them in cafés geared towards more active patrons, outdoor shops, or even some local petrol stations — a good place to restock if you run out mid-tour.

Check out the full range of OTE bars below.

OTE Bars

Hydration isn’t just about water; it’s about replacing what you’re losing through sweat — salt, minerals, electrolytes. You might not think of electrolytes as a sack, but they are vital to your cycling nutrition.

OTE Hydro Tabs dissolve easily in water and help prevent cramps, fatigue, and dizziness that can unfortunately result from dehydration, especially when you’re pushing yourself on a difficult route, to the top of a big climb or riding in warmer conditions. With crisp and citric flavours like orange, pineapple, and blackcurrant, they are sweet and tasty enough to encourage you to keep drinking.

When to use: Great for consuming during hot rides, long stretches between cafés or water stops, pushing yourself beyond your usual activity level, and immediately after a tough climb or long descent. Also great when sweating heavily as they will help replenish your electrolytes. Ensure you have a post-ride drink to stay hydrated and healthy.

Taste and usability: Enjoy OTE Electrolyte’s light flavours combined with a touch of fizz. Stored in plastic tubes, they are easy to carry and don’t weigh you down, and tabs mean no bulky bottles or powders.

Local note: With your guide offering a consistent supply of fresh water in the support van to refill your reusable water bottle, these tabs make topping up easy and safe.

Check out the OTE Hydro Tab pack below.

OTE Electrolytes

 

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OGT bars bring something unique: high performance and high sustainability. Without single-use wrappers, these bars reduce waste on the trail — something that matters to us at Wilderness when riding through England’s protected landscapes. Their flavour profile tends toward the wholesome: grains, seeds, natural sweeteners, with enough richness to feel like you’re eating something carefully made.

When to use: While not provided on our group trips as part of the snack profile, OGT energy bars are great for personal use. They are also good on days when you want something lighter but still nourishing.

Texture and flavours: Often crunchy or chewy depending on which bar you select. Seed-heavy bars give a satisfying crunch, whereas the sweetness tends to come from fruits, honey or natural syrups rather than refined sugar.

Why it’s great here: England has so many recycling systems and environmental awareness, and at Wilderness England, we take sustainability seriously. Therefore, Dan advocates using wrapper-free options whenever possible to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible.

Learn more about OGT’s wrapper-free bars below.

OGT Energy Bars