Energy Drinks

JWYATT-18

just wondering what works and whats the best the small 4g tablets ? or the big bucket type 2.4kg ?

never used them before just looking for some advice


Cheers

lost-time

In warmer weather and rides over two hours I use http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 600g%20Box

and sometimes mix in http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 525g%20Jar

I find this mix helps keep cramps at bay. I also eat ceral bars/bananas whilst out riding.

JasonRwmb

As above I find the High5 4:1 really good. It got me through two 12 hour races last year without too many problems. Their extreme version is also good to wake you up a bit. Torq products also get very good reviews.

I guess by 4g tablets you mean something like Zym, these are really only electrolyte and don't provide any carbs. Handy on a hot day if you are getting carbs from another source.

Before you invest in a big tub of drink the best thing to do is to buy a few small packets of different sorts and see which ones you get on with. High5 have a promotion on their webpage to get a few different products for a couple of quid http://www.highfive.co.uk/free%20sample/freesample.html

cberry

What about for shorter rides? I do 1 hour commutes of 15 miles, twice a day. I'm feeling slightly worn out from my current regime of just water. What should I be drinking during the ride, and what should I drink afterwards?

Matteeboy

I find slightly diluted Lucozade Sport works fine.

Use it for cycling and trail running.

JasonRwmb

cberry, as long as you are well hydrated before a one hour ride you really won't change your performance by drinking during it.
I guess your main problem is recovery for the second ride in the day. Ideally after the ride you want a mix of protein and carbs to speed up recovery. You could try one of the recovery drinks that are on the market, but they are fairly expensive and don't always taste too good, often a better alternative is chocolate milk which works well and tastes good, I have been lead to believe that healthly things like nuts and bananas are good too Or you could try drinking something like High5 4:1 during the first ride which (with it's mix of carbs and protein) should help your body recover a bit quicker.

The nice thing about a regular commute is it gives you lots of chance to experiment with different things to see what works for you.

For cheaper base ingredients for energy drinks have a look here:
http://www.myprotein.co.uk/ Put code MP24098 for 5% off your first order.

woodywmb

I've switched to full fat milk after years of SIS powders. My stomach's in better nick without all the water and power (sometimes not properly mixed) swilling about in it. The milk is lovely and cold in the winter - but I might need a re-think for the hotter weather. Milk might not be quite so refreshing then.

andyturner28

Woodywmb wrote:

I've switched to full fat milk after years of SIS powders. My stomach's in better nick without all the water and power (sometimes not properly mixed) swilling about in it. The milk is lovely and cold in the winter - but I might need a re-think for the hotter weather. Milk might not be quite so refreshing then.

So do you drink the milk out of a Camelback? Well that is something new. I have heard that milk is supposed to be good for recovery but not to give you energy during a ride. Also bear in mind that full fat is, well, full of fat! I used to drink several pint's a day and this was a majour contributer to me ending up over 16st. I beleave that skimmed still contains a similar amount of calcium and carbs, so i would give that a go. And yes, full fat milk in the summer would definately not be a good idea!

Jason- Thanks for posting the link for the free sachets, just ordered some

Andy.

woodywmb

Drink it out of a "water" bottle. Great at the moment but might switch to lightly dluted orange juice in hot weather. Weight is piling on though despite cycling!