Why did nobody tell me?
Discussion
I really like the cliff bar double espresso ones; nice and bitter/non sickly. So much so I bought a box.
Didn't dawn on me until the day I scoffed 7 in a row (at a little less than 30 minute intervals) that they had a big whack of caffine in them (obvious in retrospect). Reached T2 wired as hell, and with some interesting 'gut issues'. Doh!
Didn't dawn on me until the day I scoffed 7 in a row (at a little less than 30 minute intervals) that they had a big whack of caffine in them (obvious in retrospect). Reached T2 wired as hell, and with some interesting 'gut issues'. Doh!
Salted caramel gels? Cor, I'll be seeking those out.
I'm only using gels as bonk rations or a couple of kms before big climbs on sportives nowadays. Clif Shot Bloks are a tidier solution and I can spread them out over the hour. Topped up with malt loaf and DIY rice cakes of various flavours.
I'm only using gels as bonk rations or a couple of kms before big climbs on sportives nowadays. Clif Shot Bloks are a tidier solution and I can spread them out over the hour. Topped up with malt loaf and DIY rice cakes of various flavours.
I read most threads on Pedal Powered, and have been interested in this one.
I have to say, though, that I just don't 'get' the whole energy gel 'thing'. I've used only two gels ever. And those were freebies from a local bike shop trying to tempt me to buy more. I used the first gel toward the end of a long ride in Suffolk when I found there were no shops on my route, and I needed a boost to get through the last 10 miles or so. The other one I used just because it was past it's 'use by' date.
I've also used energy bars, but still only half a dozen or thereabouts. I binned them off because, broadly speaking, the same nutritional value was available from workaday cereal bars from the likes of Kelloggs at a fraction of the cost.
The one thing I persevered with for longer was energy drinks in powder form. I'd been baffled by the marketing people into believing that I needed them. But eventually I went riding without them, because I hadn't bought more one week and ran out. I rode fuelled only by 'regular' food and plain ordinary orange squash, with no discernible ill effects, nor any real performance drop-off. So now, I ride with a couple of bottles of Robinsons Double Concentrate, No Added Sugar squash, a cereal bar in a jersey pocket, and a belly full of ordinary food. If I'm planning on being out longer, then I wrap a sandwich up and pop that in a jersey pocket. That covers 'avoiding the bonk' and anything else I need I'll buy while I'm out, like top-up drinks, or a bag of chips (
).
I'm not saying that binning off the gels is good for everyone, but there seems to be a lot of folk who use them (and dump the wrappers in the countryside. Grrr!) without really needing them. All that said, I'm not a 'competitive' standard rider. My road cycling av speed is usually around the 15 to 16mph bracket, and off road I'm chuffed if I get above 10mph av speed. I'm on for a little over 2,000 miles for 8 months of riding, mostly off road this year, just for info.
I don't want to sound like I'm rabidly 'anti' energy/nutrition products, but I think it's worth considering your position with regard to using them if you are not actually competing, or tackling big sportives. They are expensive, and real alternatives are available at far less cost, and 'real' food can be easier on your stomach too, unless you are really 'going for it' when the fast action, easy to digest nature of the gels starts to make more sense.
Just an opinion, you understand. I'm a fairly ordinary cyclist, and have no medical, nutritional, nor coaching qualifications. I just don't like the idea of buying overpriced products which are subject to a big hit of 'cycling tax' when there is cheaper stuff out there which will do a similar job (for me, at least).
I have to say, though, that I just don't 'get' the whole energy gel 'thing'. I've used only two gels ever. And those were freebies from a local bike shop trying to tempt me to buy more. I used the first gel toward the end of a long ride in Suffolk when I found there were no shops on my route, and I needed a boost to get through the last 10 miles or so. The other one I used just because it was past it's 'use by' date.
I've also used energy bars, but still only half a dozen or thereabouts. I binned them off because, broadly speaking, the same nutritional value was available from workaday cereal bars from the likes of Kelloggs at a fraction of the cost.
The one thing I persevered with for longer was energy drinks in powder form. I'd been baffled by the marketing people into believing that I needed them. But eventually I went riding without them, because I hadn't bought more one week and ran out. I rode fuelled only by 'regular' food and plain ordinary orange squash, with no discernible ill effects, nor any real performance drop-off. So now, I ride with a couple of bottles of Robinsons Double Concentrate, No Added Sugar squash, a cereal bar in a jersey pocket, and a belly full of ordinary food. If I'm planning on being out longer, then I wrap a sandwich up and pop that in a jersey pocket. That covers 'avoiding the bonk' and anything else I need I'll buy while I'm out, like top-up drinks, or a bag of chips (
).I'm not saying that binning off the gels is good for everyone, but there seems to be a lot of folk who use them (and dump the wrappers in the countryside. Grrr!) without really needing them. All that said, I'm not a 'competitive' standard rider. My road cycling av speed is usually around the 15 to 16mph bracket, and off road I'm chuffed if I get above 10mph av speed. I'm on for a little over 2,000 miles for 8 months of riding, mostly off road this year, just for info.
I don't want to sound like I'm rabidly 'anti' energy/nutrition products, but I think it's worth considering your position with regard to using them if you are not actually competing, or tackling big sportives. They are expensive, and real alternatives are available at far less cost, and 'real' food can be easier on your stomach too, unless you are really 'going for it' when the fast action, easy to digest nature of the gels starts to make more sense.
Just an opinion, you understand. I'm a fairly ordinary cyclist, and have no medical, nutritional, nor coaching qualifications. I just don't like the idea of buying overpriced products which are subject to a big hit of 'cycling tax' when there is cheaper stuff out there which will do a similar job (for me, at least).
yellowjack said:
...stuff...
I agree. I've never been a fan. I have also used a handful of gels, which have been given to me on sportives etc. I carry a couple for longer rides, just in case I start to bonk. However, I wouldn't choose to use them as a substitute to "proper" food. Flapjack, malt loaf, or fig rolls are all far more substantial and satisfy me psycologically as well as nutritionally, I just feel like sugary snot doesn't really do it for me.
As for the sportive riders who have gels taped to their top tube ready for a quick hit while riding, and then discard the empty wrappers all over country lanes, they really need to take a look at themselves. It's a sportive, not the TdF!
I generally only use them if I'm racing for longer than an hour, and then I usually get the High 5 bundles from Wiggle, as these are a much cheaper alternative than buying the bits individually. I get a new bottle as well.
I only ended up with the Torq one as our lass supported a few of us on the Three Peaks and these were left over. There was also an apple flavoured SIS gel, which was my new favourite for an hour, until I tried the rhubarb and custard.
Gels are easy to carry, easy to use on the move, and the empties are easily stored under cables and in pockets, although that last point does seem to be missed by lots of sporty types, not just cyclists.
I only ended up with the Torq one as our lass supported a few of us on the Three Peaks and these were left over. There was also an apple flavoured SIS gel, which was my new favourite for an hour, until I tried the rhubarb and custard.
Gels are easy to carry, easy to use on the move, and the empties are easily stored under cables and in pockets, although that last point does seem to be missed by lots of sporty types, not just cyclists.
I'd use gels if I was racing and needed convenience, otherwise I worry too much they give me the s
ts! Each to their own though, I prefer a bit more substance.
I find isotonic drinks beneficial, as I can sweat a lot when pushing hard on climbs, I just use Aldi ones, four for £1.20
I find nutrition really comes into play for me @ 70 miles + @ 85 miles if I get it wrong and at a good pace I feel my hands tingling as a warning then I drop like a stone!
Ironically ive found the best food for me on long rides is plain sandwiches, a few rounds of wholemeal tuna mayo or Malt loaf does me proud, then a few suggery bars every so often to top me up. When doing 100-200 miles one of the biggest issues is carrying and finding decent food and making sure I eat every 1 hour -1 hour 30 once past 100 miles! The actual riding is straightforward as long as I get the right simple food in! Not sure this is at all relevant to the OP though!
ts! Each to their own though, I prefer a bit more substance. I find isotonic drinks beneficial, as I can sweat a lot when pushing hard on climbs, I just use Aldi ones, four for £1.20
I find nutrition really comes into play for me @ 70 miles + @ 85 miles if I get it wrong and at a good pace I feel my hands tingling as a warning then I drop like a stone!
Ironically ive found the best food for me on long rides is plain sandwiches, a few rounds of wholemeal tuna mayo or Malt loaf does me proud, then a few suggery bars every so often to top me up. When doing 100-200 miles one of the biggest issues is carrying and finding decent food and making sure I eat every 1 hour -1 hour 30 once past 100 miles! The actual riding is straightforward as long as I get the right simple food in! Not sure this is at all relevant to the OP though!
Rule #91// No Food On Training Rides Under Four Hours.This one also comes from the Apostle, Johan Museeuw, who said to @frank: “Yes, no food on rides under four hours. You need to lose some weight.” Or, as Fignon put it, sometimes, when we train, we simply have to go out to meet the Man with the Hammer. The exception is, of course, hard rides over two hours and races. Also, if you’re planning on being out for more than four hours, start eating before you get hungry. This also applies to energy drink supplements.
IMHE gels are only really useful in races when the hammer goes down. At all other times proper food is preferable.
IMHE gels are only really useful in races when the hammer goes down. At all other times proper food is preferable.
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