Group ride organisers
Want to hand out biscuits at the start, at a rest stop or at the finish? Compare the pack size and the stated number of biscuits or portions, and think about what you’ll do with an opened pack.
Which pack size is right for you?
Cyclists looking for something small to take along
If you want to have a few biscuits during your ride, small biscuits or pre-portioned packs are easier to carry than one large, opened bag.
Buyers who need to consider other people’s allergies
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety before buying for a group. Traditional speculaas, chocolate varieties and other recipes can differ.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the speculaas is mainly for a shared break or to eat on the go. Then check the portions, nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you’re planning to buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions for your ride | Check how many biscuits are in the pack and whether you can portion out the amount you want in advance. | I want to take a few biscuits without opening a large bag during my ride. Around 36% of these consumers prioritise convenient portions. |
| Ride and nutritional value | Compare the carbohydrates per portion and plan what you’ll drink, too. | On a longer ride, I want to know how much I’m actually taking and eating. An estimated 29% of these consumers prioritise planning for their ride. |
| Amount to share | Compare the net weight with the stated number of portions or biscuits. | For a shared rest stop, I want enough biscuits to hand out without having to take a large leftover pack home. Sharing with the group is the main consideration for around 21% of these consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about traces on the exact pack. | If I’m buying for other people, I need to check first which variety is suitable for them. For around 14% of these consumers, this is the most important question when buying. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that, during endurance exercise lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of fast-absorbing carbohydrates per hour can help improve performance. That doesn’t mean just any portion of speculaas is suitable for every ride: check the nutritional information for the biscuits you choose, and remember to factor in what you’ll drink, too.
Common mistakes
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Assuming a share bag is all you need for your ride
The number of biscuits in a pack doesn’t tell you how much you’ll eat or drink during your ride. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also distinguishes between exercise of different durations and intensities.
Decide in advance when you’ll eat and drink, and choose what to take based on your ride and the nutritional information per portion.
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Assuming one recipe will suit the whole group
Ingredients and allergens vary between products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on the label.
When buying for a group, read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack.
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Taking a large bag without a plan for sharing it out
A large pack is a good choice for a rest stop, but an opened bag is less practical to eat from while cycling.
Portion out what you want to take in advance and seal the rest securely after opening.
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Assuming chocolate speculaas is the same as traditional speculaas
A chocolate variety has a different recipe, and its allergens may differ too. So the nutritional information for traditional speculaas won’t necessarily apply to that variety.
Always compare the nutritional information and allergens for the exact product you plan to hand out or take with you.
Brands and product ranges compared
Lotus Biscoff
Small speculoos biscuits in a standard pack or a variety with individually wrapped pairs.
- Jumbo lists around 32 biscuits in the standard 250 g pack, and 10 bags of 2 biscuits each in the XL variety.
- The varieties reviewed contain wheat and soya; check the exact pack if you’re buying for other people.
Jumbo
Bakery-style speculaas in a large pack for sharing during a group break.
- Jumbo lists this variety as 600 g, with around 48 portions.
- The variety reviewed contains gluten and wheat, and may contain almonds and nuts. Portion out the biscuits in advance if you want to take them with you on your ride.
Biscotto
Bakery-style speculaas in a large pack, designed for sharing with several people.
- ALDI Netherlands lists the pack as 600 g, containing 48 biscuits.
- Check the allergens on the pack and make sure the variety is available before buying.
De Ruiter
Bakery-style speculaas in a 450 g pack for anyone who wants to take less than a 600 g bag.
- The 450 g size could work well for a smaller sharing occasion.
- The variety reviewed contains wheat and gluten and may contain nuts; check the information on the exact pack.
Speculaas to share or take with you on Joybuy
These packs are suitable for a shared break or for portioning out biscuits in advance. Compare the pack size with the size of your group, and check the portion information if you want to eat the biscuits during your ride.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas Cookies, 8 biscuits, 200 g
A 200 g pack for a smaller sharing occasion. Check the portion information on the pack before deciding how much to take with you on your ride.
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g'woon Baker's Speculaas, 600 g
The 600 g pack is an option if you want to share biscuits during a group stop. Decide in advance how many you’ll hand out, and check the nutritional information per portion if you’re also taking something to eat during the ride.
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De Ruiter Baker's Speculaas, 450 g
The 450 g pack is a good fit for sharing when you want to take less than a 600 g bag. Portion out the biscuits in advance if you want to have them to hand while cycling.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need speculaas on every bike ride?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sports bars and gels aren’t needed for exercise lasting less than an hour. Carbohydrate intake can be relevant during longer rides, but tailor what you eat and drink to your ride rather than treating a share bag as a complete plan.
How should I use the nutritional information for a longer ride?
Check the carbohydrates per portion for the exact biscuit, and consider how much you’ll actually take with you. For endurance exercise lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends 30 to 60 g of fast-absorbing carbohydrates per hour as an amount that can help improve performance. Remember to plan what you’ll drink, too.
Which pack is best for a cycling group?
A large bag is a good choice for a planned rest stop, while smaller biscuits or pre-portioned packs are easier to take with you. Jumbo lists around 48 portions in its 600 g pack of Baker’s Speculaas, while ALDI Netherlands lists 48 biscuits in its 600 g pack of Biscotto Baker’s Speculaas.
Should I check the allergens for each variety of speculaas?
Yes, check the exact pack, especially if you’re buying for a group. The Lotus Biscoff varieties reviewed contain wheat and soya; the Jumbo Baker’s Speculaas reviewed contains gluten and wheat, and may contain almonds and nuts.