Why do cyclists eat rice cakes?

Cyclists eat rice cakes while biking because they are easy to digest, non-perishable, easily portable, and rich in carbohydrate - the preferred fuel of working muscles during long cycling sessions. They can also be handy post-ride when repleting carbohydrate stores is critical for recovery.

While rice cakes can be handy on the bike, they are not considered a nutrient-dense food. Rice cakes lack health-promoting nutrients including fiber and antioxidants and may contain excess sodium [1]. If you want to snack on rice cakes off the bike, try pairing them with nutrient-dense toppings such as nut butter and strawberries, or hummus and tomato slices.