PERFECT MENU FOR BRITISH BIKERS CREATED BY DEVITT AND TV CHEF STEVE WALPOLE
04 June 2006 - Devitt Insurance Services Ltd

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 foodif they want a good day on the road.

Motorcycle insurance broker Devitt and bike-mad TV chef Steve 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 and lover of ride-outs, track days or just being on a bike,
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 the UK''s 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.''

Steve Walpole''s food tips for bikers are:

On breakfast:

''Bikers really should make time for breakfast or their energy and
concentration will fade rapidly during the morning. Slow burning energy is
the key, such as starchy carbohydrates and proteins. This could be things
like muesli with a boiled egg or a bacon sandwich with wholemeal bread, a
little butter and lean low salt bacon with a touch of tomato ketchup. The
ketchup is acidic and helps digestion. Tea is better than coffee.''

On lunch:

''Avoid heavy, hearty meals. The best lunch items are soups - except really
creamy ones - or light stews like an Irish or a chicken casserole. These
dishes are mostly liquid so fill you up without that heavy feeling. After
eating, always rest for 20 minutes as the body''s natural reaction to
finishing a meal is the urge to sleep while it gets on with digestion. This
is a potential accident waiting to happen.''

On dinner:

''Slow burning carbohydrates such as pasta dishes, rice-based or jacket
potato and baked beans. This way the body stores up energy and with
breakfast the following morning, biker''s fuel gages should be on almost
full. It may seem over the top but this does work. If your journey is a
late starter and you are on the road in the evening, then meals like light
salads are good. However, avoid heavy mayonnaises or creamy dressings; stick
to oil based ones with some protein and a small amount of starch.''

On snacks:

''I tend to bring my own snacks on a journey, such as nuts or fresh or dried
fruit, as these have slower burning energy and are full of natural sugars.
They can give you the same lift as chocolate but over a longer period and
without a sudden thirst. Crisps and fatty snacks can be very dehydrating but
the worst thing of all is chewing gum. Chewing makes your brain believe
you''re eating so it diverts blood to the stomach which can cause lack of
concentration and the feeling of being hunger due to an over active
stomach.''

On drinks:

Avoid heavy drinks like those which are milk-based or high in sugar as they
will make your stomach feel heavy. The biggest no-no (obviously apart from
alcohol) is high-energy drinks: they over-fill your body with quick release
stimulants and the high they give lasts only a little while before your body
comes down. This can trigger a thirst or the need to eat. The odd tea and
coffee can help as hot drinks tend to warm the body and small amounts of
caffeine can be just the boost at lunch to help beat that drowsiness after a
meal. Natural drinks like unflavoured water and juices such as pineapple or
orange (not from concentrate) are ideal but in moderation.''
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.

For Breakfast
Homemade muesli and muesli biscuits, yoghurt and berry dip

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

For 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

For 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

www.e-devitt.com

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