Households stocking up
If several people will share the biscuits, compare the quantity of custard creams in each pack and the storage instructions after opening. A measured portion can also be accounted for separately when planning a ride.
Who is choosing a pack?
Cyclists planning longer rides
British Cycling discusses additional fuel for sessions lasting over 90 minutes. Decide what the whole ride requires before choosing biscuits as one possible snack, and consider whether they are practical for you to eat during the effort.
Shoppers checking allergens
Read the current packet's ingredients and precautionary statements for the exact biscuit you intend to share. A familiar product name is not enough to establish its ingredients.
What should you compare?
Start with whether biscuits fit the planned ride at all. Then compare portions, pack contents and ingredients for the people who will eat them.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Ride portions | Check carbohydrate per biscuit on the exact packet and the number you plan to eat. British Cycling discusses additional fuel for sessions over 90 minutes; a biscuit portion is only one part of a ride plan. | I want to account for a snack without treating the weight of the whole pack as the amount I need on the bike. |
| Pack contents | Distinguish a single-variety pack from an assortment. Marks & Spencer describes its 530g triple pack as containing custard creams, malted milk biscuits and bourbon creams. | Will everyone use a larger pack, or would I rather buy fewer custard creams? If I want only custard creams, the total weight of a mixed pack is not the right comparison. |
| Ingredients | Read the current ingredients and precautionary allergen statements for each product. The checked Tesco and Asda custard creams list wheat and milk ingredients. | Before sharing biscuits with someone avoiding particular ingredients, I need to check the packet they will actually eat. |
| Storage | Check the instructions for the pack you choose. Tesco advises keeping its biscuits in a cool, dry place and using an airtight container after opening. | If a pack will be opened over several occasions, I want a practical way to store what remains. |
Common buying mistakes
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Treating pack weight as a ride-fuelling plan
A 400g pack tells you how much biscuit is supplied, not whether a particular portion fits the duration of a ride or is comfortable to eat during it.
Plan the ride first, then use the exact product's carbohydrate-per-biscuit label to account for any portion you choose.
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Counting an assortment as entirely custard creams
Marks & Spencer's 530g triple pack also contains malted milk biscuits and bourbon creams, so its full weight is not the quantity of custard creams.
Check which varieties are included when the household specifically wants custard creams.
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Assuming similarly named biscuits have identical ingredients
Ingredients and precautionary statements are product-specific, which matters when sharing with someone who has an allergy.
Check the current physical packet for the exact product before serving it.
Brand and pack references
These examples illustrate pack formats and label details; a brand reference does not establish that a product is currently offered on Joybuy or that it suits a particular ride.
Tesco
Tesco lists a 400g single-variety pack for households comparing larger quantities.
- Tesco Groceries lists 8.4g carbohydrate per biscuit and advises airtight storage after opening.
- The listed ingredients include wheat and milk; the pack label does not constitute a ride-fuelling plan.
Asda
Asda lists another 400g single-variety custard-cream pack.
- Asda Groceries lists 8.1g carbohydrate per biscuit and describes the pack as providing approximately 34 servings.
- The listed ingredients include wheat and milk; check the current packet before sharing.
McVitie's
Iceland Foods lists McVitie's Tasties custard creams in a 300g pack.
- The documented pack provides a smaller single-variety quantity than the checked 400g packs.
- Iceland lists wheat and milk ingredients. A similarly named Joybuy listing states that its product is no longer available; neither listing establishes a cycling advantage.
Crawford's
Iceland Foods documents Crawford's custard creams as a 300g pack.
- The listed pack is a single-variety option between the checked 400g and 165g quantities.
- Iceland lists wheat and milk and marks this product unavailable there; that does not establish its status elsewhere.
M&S
Marks & Spencer describes a 165g Extra Cream custard-cream pack and a separate 530g mixed biscuit pack.
- The 165g pack offers a smaller quantity of custard creams.
- The 530g triple pack includes malted milk biscuits and bourbon creams, so it should not be compared as 530g of custard creams.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's lists a 200g single-variety custard-cream pack.
- Sainsbury's lists 8.6g carbohydrate per biscuit for this pack.
- Its checked listing marks the 200g pack out of stock; check its current status before planning a purchase.
Custard creams on Joybuy
This 125g custard-cream pack is a smaller-quantity option to consider for planned snacks rather than a family-size stock-up.
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Schar Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g
The 125g pack offers a smaller quantity if you are choosing biscuits for occasional snacks rather than stocking up for a household. Its product name identifies it as gluten free; check the current packet for ingredients and nutritional values before deciding on a ride portion or sharing it with someone who has an allergy.
Questions about packs and rides
Do I need custard creams during every cycle ride?
No. British Cycling says most indoor sessions under an hour should not need additional fuel during the session and discusses 30–60g carbohydrate per hour as a rule of thumb for sessions over 90 minutes. That is guidance for planning the ride, not an instruction to obtain all carbohydrate from biscuits.
How should I portion and carry biscuits for a ride?
Use the exact packet's carbohydrate-per-biscuit information to work out the portion you intend to take. British Cycling advises choosing a suitable, relaxed stretch of road or trail in which to eat; store biscuits left at home according to their packet instructions.
Can someone with a wheat or milk allergy share the checked Tesco or Asda packs?
The checked Tesco and Asda ingredient information lists wheat and milk, so those packs are not suitable for someone who must avoid those ingredients. Read the current physical packet, including precautionary allergen statements, before making a decision about any other pack.
What should I check before ordering a larger pack?
Confirm the current pack size, whether it contains only custard creams, and the availability and delivery terms for your order. If several people will use an opened pack, check its storage instructions too.