Energy gels

[Digga]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

Carlton Banks said:

I did the Surrey half marathon yesterday and can testify that you should try before you buy!

Had a few of the 'gu' energy gels - sure that is what has given me the sts!

Ooops. Race day is not the time for anything new. Stick to what you know.

^This cannot be said often enough. Gels, drinks, bars, anything need to be pre-flight tested. Friends who do Tri/Ironman events will carefully research and sample the free products likely to be being dispensed at the side of the course during any event, well in advance.

Of late, my opinion of gels - the appearance of ever more discarded wrappers at the side of roads and mtb trails - is that I would be quite happy if the individuals littering the place with them were stricken with a vigorous bout of the sts.

[TedMaul]

MadDad said:

Depends on the gel - I have used some that have a similar effect and others that have been fine - although they all make you as windy as a brass band. I try to steer away from gels now, and tend to try to eat small amounts of flapjacks or similar every half an hour or so - negates the need for a sugar/energy rush!

I found the same with hydration drinks, SIS hydration sachets don't sit well with my but High5 or NUUN are fine!

Likewise, as a diabetic I keep a gel with me in case of hypo, but will have a sis mini energy bar or similar to start and keep going. Agree with the hydation tablets too, i find the high5 orange a cherry better on the belly for some reason though the sis cola ones taste nicer

[TwistingMyMelon]

LOL I feel all your pain...Normally I don't use gels/bars , preferring Jelly Babies. Was 60 miles into a sportive, stopped at the food station and they had a huge variety of snacks

I tucked into some kind of "power bar" and thought the taste reminded me of a past experience....then I had the flashback....About a year ago I tried one at home and 30 minutes later I had to sprint for the toilet where I had the worst case of pebble dashing known to man. I mean I had to chuck my misses out the bath and glue myself to the toilet for about 45 minutes. I've never known anything like it, I have a strong stomach. I remember thinking at the time being thankful I was at home.....

...Just as I had the flashback I'd finished the last bite and was stood in the middle of Cotswolds countryside with 25 miles left to ride....st literally...st....

Thankfully I was OK, but with every peddle stoke I had it in the back of my mind!!

Made me realise always test what you eat before a big ride and stick to what you know!!!

[yellowjack]

Digga said:

Of late, my opinion of gels - the appearance of ever more discarded wrappers at the side of roads and mtb trails - is that I would be quite happy if the individuals littering the place with them were stricken with a vigorous bout of the sts.

Well said, that man.

So much of the litter we ride past is nothing to do with cyclists. Fag packets, burger wrappers, 'energy' drink cans, and soiled nappies etc all comes out of vehicle windows. Added to that the deliberate fly tipping I see regularly, and cyclists have a very minor impact on the general state of the countryside.

BUT.

When I see energy gel/bar wrappers in the Surrey Hills 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' and obviously elsewhere too, I despair. The culprits are quite obviously fellow cyclists, and it demonstrates a complete lack of consideration for their fellow cyclists and for residents of the area. Many residents already hate cyclists with a passion, and fight every event announcement and road closure. We, as a group, shouldn't play into their hands by giving them ammunition to fire at us. Just put your empty wrappers back into your pockets. So few riders are at a level where their training requires them to ride without a break - just stop and secure your litter somewhere on your person, or on your bike, and take it home to get rid. Worse still are the deliberate aholes who dump their tubes when they repair punctures. It's littering which is impossible to attribute to any group save cyclists, and furthermore, it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. What if the minor (and repairable) puncture in the tube you dump is then trumped by a catastrophic failure of the replacement? You'll end up with a long walk home. FFS, you're not in any kind of peloton, because if you were, you'd not need to be mending your own punctures Just pack it back into the space the spare one was in, take it home and either repair it as a 'back up' tube or lob it in the bin at home.

Being considerate, and "Keeping Britain Tidy". It's not rocket surgery

[Digga]

yellowjack said:

When I see energy gel/bar wrappers in the Surrey Hills 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' and obviously elsewhere too, I despair. The culprits are quite obviously fellow cyclists, and it demonstrates a complete lack of consideration for their fellow cyclists and for residents of the area. Many residents already hate cyclists with a passion, and fight every event announcement and road closure. We, as a group, shouldn't play into their hands by giving them ammunition to fire at us. Just put your empty wrappers back into your pockets. So few riders are at a level where their training requires them to ride without a break - just stop and secure your litter somewhere on your person, or on your bike, and take it home to get rid. Worse still are the deliberate aholes who dump their tubes when they repair punctures. It's littering which is impossible to attribute to any group save cyclists, and furthermore, it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. What if the minor (and repairable) puncture in the tube you dump is then trumped by a catastrophic failure of the replacement? You'll end up with a long walk home. FFS, you're not in any kind of peloton, because if you were, you'd not need to be mending your own punctures Just pack it back into the space the spare one was in, take it home and either repair it as a 'back up' tube or lob it in the bin at home.

Being considerate, and "Keeping Britain Tidy". It's not rocket surgery

I was out on the mtb with mates Saturday in an AONB. One of them picked up a discarded gel wrapper at a trailhead and pocketed it to take home and bin accordingly. I'd actually passed it but not noticed.

We got talking on the subject - I regularly return home from rides and walks with a lot more litter with me than I left home with - and he was telling me about a friend of a friend he went road riding once who just wanged gel wrappers into the hedge. He confronted the guy about it - actually said he would not ride with him again because he was a tt for littering - and even then, the guy was unapologetic and, seemingly, incredulous at the fuss. I think people believe the TdF or ToB clean-up team are following them around the place. Personally, I think a game-changing plan is needed in professional sport, to make the carrying of all your own rubbish compulsory and littering/non-compliance to be punished. Perhaps if the pros start demonstraitng it, the pro kit wkers will too.

[WinstonWolf]

While we're on the subject what about those sachets you can add to your water bottle? Are they any good as I have my first 100 mile ride coming up next month

ETA:

This looks promising

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/high5-race-pack/

Edited by WinstonWolf on Tuesday 11th March 15:34

[80sMatchbox]

This thread reminds of 2 weeks ago, in Richmond Park, at the cafe.. I was buying a coffee and in rushed this girl, dripping in sweat and asking to refill her water bottle. As she was doing this, she opened an energy gel and started to consume it all...whilst being shown the tap outside, to the back of the cafe.

I had a chuckle to myself, as it seemed a bit odd to be in a cafe and having an enery gel..with so much food around!

I usually have a banana or 2 tucked into my jersey on longer rides, but had forgotten that day. 80p for a banana in the cafe! That must be the most expensive banana I've ever had! Lesson learnt!

[anonymous-user]

WinstonWolf said:

While we're on the subject what about those sachets you can add to your water bottle? Are they any good as I have my first 100 mile ride coming up next month

ETA:

This looks promising

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/high5-race-pack/

Edited by WinstonWolf on Tuesday 11th March 15:34

They are pretty good to give your water some flavour which after 80 miles is a nice change but I'd not expect a performance boost per se. You should know what your body will need for 100 miles, just keep it simple.

[WinstonWolf]

I'm thinking flapjack and banana with Jelly Babies for instant boost. Basically enough to give me 60g of carbs per hour backed up with electrolytic sachets. Not been much beyond 60 miles before.

I'm planning a relaxed 16MPH so I'll be in the saddle circa six hours

[mrmr96]

What should I eat during a 30 mile ride? Will be setting off about an hour after breakfast.

[WinstonWolf]

What's your previous longest ride? I had one breakfast bar on a fifty mile ride at the weekend but I was quite fatigued by the end hence wanting to fuel better.

[mrmr96]

I've done 30miles before with no food, only water, and felt like crap towards the last 5-10 miles. Usual rides only 10-20 miles.

[47p2]

Shouldn't need anything except some water for 30 miles

[mrmr96]

Rule 5 then?

[Jonnny]

47p2 said:

Shouldn't need anything except some water for 30 miles

When I'm out with the club for 40 miles I took a 500 bottle of water and we had a cafe stop for coffee and cake.. Still had some water left at the end.

Depends how well you eat before, and your general health.. I went out this weekend and bonked after 8 miles, but I've been pretty ill for a week so shouldn't really have been out.

[ExV8]

I use gels on a long run (more than 15k) and SIS have been fine with no side effects.

Have to agree about the litter aspect, even in a race I took the wrappers back to the finish.

[Matt_N]

mrmr96 said:

What should I eat during a 30 mile ride? Will be setting off about an hour after breakfast.

Some people can ride for 4 hrs without food, others like a nibble after 2. The main reason for this is how different people's bodies break down fat to produce energy.

My mate was out on Sunday just gone and over 50 miles had half his water bottle whereas I went through 2, everyone is different.

Muscles can only store around 90-120 mins of readily available energy after that you're either down to topping up with food or the fat route.

Like others I prefer to have a bit of real food when on the go but can appreciate it's not for everyone and there is no doubting the convinience of gels .

Take a decent sized bottle - 750ml and maybe half a flapjack to have at the 20 mile mark and see how you get on.

[anonymous-user]

When I do get out on the bike, its normally earlyish morning so I try the empty stomach training technique of not eating anything before hand and maybe just a small coffee at most before jumping on the bike. I'll then do about 60 kms with nothign but a bottle of water and a single elevenses bar or something simliar just in case. Apparently empty stomach cardio training is a pretty good way to lose weight (though I fail when I come back home and smash in the butter croissants!) There are loads of websites with empty stomach training tips and its not suitable for everyone but its worth a go for rides <50 kms at around 30kmh I'd say.

As for gels, if I take one on a longer ride its Torq all the way now, great consistency, good flavours and a sensible size packet

[il sole]

47p2 said:

Shouldn't need anything except some water for 30 miles

I'd agree with that. 30 miles is fine just on water especially if you have had breakfast!

I tend to use Torq gels and bars - usually one every 10 miles after 30 miles...personally can't get on with the energy drinks, so stick to water.
Must recommend black cherry yogurt flavour gel and the pineapple and ginger bar - lovely!

[oyster]

Eat whatever gel you want but please for God's sake take the wrapper home with you.

I live right on a route frequented by many club rides and each Monday morning I can often count many discarded gel wrappers. And those gas cannisters, and old tubes. Pathetic.

It's what I have a back jersey pocket for.