Energy gels

Author
Discussion

muckymotor

Original Poster:

2,279 posts

220 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
I got a couple of these free with an order from a well known online bike shop so shoved one in my bag to try at a later date as I haven't used them before.

I was out on the bike today and due to having had a cold this week I was feeling a little knackered. Ideal time to try one of the energy gels out I think to myself and rip open the sachet and swallow the blackcurrent flavoured blob. Not as bad as I expected to be honest.

Fast forward to me at home about an hour later and I get a very urgent need to use the toilet with hardly any warning. Lets just say if I was still out on the bike I would have looked like a two wheeled dirty protest yuck

Having googled it energy gels do seem to cause diarrhea in some people. Anyone else suffered with this? Is my body likely to get used to it or am I best steering clear?

toxicated

718 posts

212 months

Friday 16th March 2012
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Hmmm, going to change your name to muckybike?

Never had that problem myself, but now you've made me nervous!

Eta: just googled it and found a fix for you. Apparently you need to eat five gels at once, wait 45 minutes and go for a run.

Edited by toxicated on Friday 16th March 21:34

MadDad

3,834 posts

260 months

Friday 16th March 2012
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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!

okgo

37,859 posts

197 months

Friday 16th March 2012
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You're meant to take them with water do they digest properly aren't you?

MadDad

3,834 posts

260 months

Friday 16th March 2012
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I don't think you could take one without a drink - they are like drinking golden syrup!

Rolls

1,502 posts

176 months

Friday 16th March 2012
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okgo said:
You're meant to take them with water do they digest properly aren't you?
Depends on the gel - some you are, some you don't...

Brother D

3,698 posts

175 months

Friday 16th March 2012
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Key note- you need to try the gels that work for you, certainly try them first thing at work rather than first time on a ride/run..

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

226 months

Saturday 17th March 2012
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If you want to lose weight go easy on the gels. You'll be surprised by how little you need to eat on the bike until you push on past 60 miles.

Digger

14,591 posts

190 months

Saturday 17th March 2012
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Get some of those Maxim gels. They use a screw top lid so you dont have to down it all in one go. Always flush it down with water too.

BPC7

391 posts

236 months

Saturday 17th March 2012
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I have tried the SiS gels and found even after washing it down had a giant mouth ulcer, dont use them anymore it has to be said...

Matt London

781 posts

167 months

Saturday 17th March 2012
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I use powerbars for my Century+ rides,and carry a caffeinated Zipvit gel for emergencies. The gels don't taste too,great, need a drink to wash them down but when they kick in they are magic.

I have never suffered from GI problems but maybe I am just lucky like that.

muckymotor

Original Poster:

2,279 posts

220 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
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Thanks for all the replies.

I've got a couple of others to try which are a different brand so I'll see if they start the rumbling from below.

Jimbo.

3,941 posts

188 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
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I tend to treat gels as more of an "emergency" thing, and leave the "fuelling" (God, I hate that term!) to "proper" food pre-ride, and either bananas, Soreen or energy bars during the ride at regular intervals, assuming the ride is long enough.

I've found that Torq stuff works best for me: they claim "all natural" ingredients. Whatever they are, my guts don't protest, be it from the energy drink, the bars, the gels or the recovery drink (which, FWIW, is very good). Other brands like SIS and their REGO recovery drink, however, do have an, ummm...effect.

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
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i must be pretty lukcy as i can hold down (or in!) pretty much any of the gels, the sis ones are the nicest, high 5 are a bit watery but ok flavour wise and the zipvit ones are the thickest so need a good mouthful of water with them... as others have said, just try a few when it doesnt matter about the consequences.

Rolls

1,502 posts

176 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
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pablo said:
i must be pretty lukcy as i can hold down (or in!) pretty much any of the gels, the sis ones are the nicest, high 5 are a bit watery but ok flavour wise and the zipvit ones are the thickest so need a good mouthful of water with them... as others have said, just try a few when it doesnt matter about the consequences.
Same as me then - tend to use the SIS gels, and mule bars for food )esp the apple struddle one!!! yummy!!!

TallTony

375 posts

204 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
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I have a fairly sensitive bowel system and find SIS isotonic gels are fab, perhaps not so much energy content to the non-isotonic stuff but very palatable. No need to take water with them either.

Digga

40,206 posts

282 months

Monday 19th March 2012
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I've been using Zipvit gels for ages, mainly for convenience - I work next door but two to them - and find them very useful.

I've used them on rides when tired and/or cold and I've also used them on half marathons. The coaching advice I've had seems very sensible - never race on gels or drinks you've not tested in training beforehand - so i geuss the same applies for non-competition. They can disagree with some people.

Carlton Banks

3,640 posts

235 months

Monday 10th March 2014
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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!

garrykiller

5,670 posts

157 months

Tuesday 11th March 2014
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BPC7 said:
I have tried the SiS gels and found even after washing it down had a giant mouth ulcer, dont use them anymore it has to be said...
I use the SiS gels all the time and never got ulcers or the sts for that matter.

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

226 months

Tuesday 11th March 2014
quotequote all
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.