What Carb/High Energy drink?

DonDaddyD

I've noticed that some of you have funny colour water in your water bottles? I assume these are carb or energy drinks

Any reccomendations primarily for long commutes/sportives?

andy83

I use science in sport stuff, very good and tastes quite nice. Find its good for training as gives extra kick when needed

rego recovery also very tasty in chocolate and helps too

cliff bars good for long rides

science in sport bars like eating wood, avoid at all costs

Roastie

I used to use the SIS stuff. Certainly not bad, but not a patch on High-5 (IMHO).

For training, I like the SIS Zero.

Edit: For sportives I'd sat High-5 blue box (hot days) or green box (not that hot). No point in using the Extreme unless looking for the edge in intense competition.

rjsterry

Funny coloured? you ain't kidding. Why would you choose neon blue as the colour for any form of food or drink?

From what I have read, the drink being palatable and not stomach-ache inducing is as important as how many calories/what electrolytes it has. Some people really struggle to digest the high carb ones, and some have an acquired taste shall we say. On this basis, I have tried out well diluted Robinson's Lemon Barley on my jaunts around Leith Hill. Entirelly unscientific, but it seems to work well for me and tastes good warm or cold. Try a few out on the commute before using on a sportive I would say.

sampras38

For me it's Hi-5 for energy drinks (diluted on training rides and full strength on Sportives), plus home made food or bananas. Only use the odd clif or mule bar on sportives, mixed with home made food again. Used to use rego for recovery but now just blend a banana in some milk.

The body will absorb real food far more efficiently than anything manufactured.

njee20

I find SIS much too sickly, but really like High 5. You really just need to try a load to see what you get on with.

Torq is easy to stomach, particularly in it's neutral guise, the flavoured ones are rather bitter!

cee

How about this?

rolf_f

I use the Zipfit stuff - 2 huge tubs for the price of one. Just as well it tastes OK! I don't mind the toothpaste consistency gels either; the runnier sort are too quick to consume!

Worth checking if your sportive has free energy drink; the Evans ones do. If so, just try what they have and see if it does you good! I tend to undereat/underdrink so I try to make sure that what I do take in is as useful as possible.

R_T_A

I can only talk on my experience from marathon training, but the principle is the same.

During my first year's training I overdosed on Lucosade sport (still). It gave me headaches, so make sure you get the balance right. I also tried the carbo gels, and they are frankly disgusting.

For the London Marathon race you get water every mile, and Lucosade sport every 5. Think of balancing consumption like that.

Water on it's own is just as (if not more) valuable, and you can eat snacks if they're easy to chew/digest.

They warn you beforehand not to try anything new on the day, as you may have adverse effects on performance.

I also tried the powder form and mixed the strength to your tastes. They worked best for me, and were the most cost effective too (think I used Iso).

So, as with most things - give 'em a try and see what works best for you.

lost_in_thought

High5 is the dogs'. I have tried the zipvit stuff, the SiS stuff, and one other, the name of which escapes me, and none are a patch on high5.

If I need a big quick fix, and there's no high5, ie I'm out and about and I've forgotten to bring any, the flat lucozade watered down in a 750ml bottle is a good plan.

Clever Pun

dried fruit/fig rolls are also very good

Fireblade96

My limited and completely unscientific experience:

My first ever sportive yesterday was one of the Evans ones. I took two drink bottles with me. There were SIS drink stations in a couple of locations around the route, at these I filled one bottle with energy drink and one with water. Drunk alternately from them as I rode.
I can't say that I noticed much difference from the stuff but it was pleasant enough ! I also tried the free gel they gave me at around the 10-miles-to-go mark (in case it made me feel ill). I felt perkier over the lat few miles but that may well have been because I was nearly at the end !

I also scoffed every banana I could get my hands on, plus a selection of cereal bars I had brought with me. I heartily recommend Tescos chocolate and mango muesli bars.

From previous long rides, I can also recommend the energy-giving power of chocolate for a quick boost - I'm sure it's just as good as those gels (and if you've kept it in your pocket for a few miles, its consistency will be similar)

squeeler

Another vote for High Five, I'm currently on the Summer Fruit flavour 4:1 Energy source. There are some truly horrific tasting sports drinks out there, don't go and buy a big tub before confirming you like it first!

andyrich_1

I've used the SIS powder that you add to water, I found it was a bit sickly. One of my running books advised 50% water 50% fruit juice and a small pinch of salt.

You can get a surprising amount of carbs in there and it's easier to drink.

il_principe

I'm not a big fan of the carb drinks - I've tried a lot and don't really like any - although I must try the flavourless Torq stuff. My weapons of choice are Nunn Kola tablets (for electrolytes and caffeine) and Clif bars for energy. I can't get on with gels and reserve them for when I'm really really in trouble! I also make a point of scoffing quite a lot at feed stations and having a big brekkie prior to long rides.

holybinch

I tend to make my own.
1 bottle water + magnesium and minerals solution + lemon juice (for thirst)
1 bottle with the same + orange juice and eventually a bit of brown sugar. (more for energy)

Paul E

I have only ever tried SIS ones for energy during rides, mostly xc mtb rides but still, found at full concentration a bit sickly especially in a camelbak. I would use about half the power recommended which made it easier to drink and it was easier on my stomach too.

I have used both the SIS rego stuff for recovery and some random lucozade stuff too but found both to be as good as each other, I would always have some plain water though as I prefer to have it plain when I eat a banana or a cereal bar.

pastey_boy

http://www.superfit.co.uk/nutrisport-en ... 0lb-1.html
awesome for the money with carbs, whey protein and electrolytes. nothing else comes close for value and the added quality protein will help recovery and muscle growth

Headhuunter

Make it yourself - http://jibbering.com/sports/drinks.html

Get the ingredients from My Protein
http://www.myprotein.co.uk/

Most carb drinks are basically 99% maltodextrin, a complex sugar energy source but tarted up in fancy marketing. Making it yourself is waaaaaaaay cheaper and you can tailor it.

I make mine with a mix of matodextrin, choline, electrolyte salts and a bit of whey protein. You can also make your own recovery drinks. If you don't like the flavour add your own amount of fruit juice to your own taste...

I swear by this for long, fast club rides....

symo

Gone off using SiS GO and switched to Torq Pink Grapefruit. Also use SiS Smart Gels on rides over 30 miles with PowerBar RideShotz. Mmmmmm Lemon RideShotz.

Paul E

I tried gels once, I didn't like the way it was a bit like a huge glob of snot in your mouth!!

il_principe

Paul E wrote:

I tried gels once, I didn't like the way it was a bit like a huge glob of snot in your mouth!!

I've heard it described as being similar to another (male only) bodily fluid...

Kinda put me off.

DonDaddyD

Il Principe wrote:

Paul E wrote:

I tried gels once, I didn't like the way it was a bit like a huge glob of snot in your mouth!!

I've heard it described as being similar to another (male only) bodily fluid...

Kinda put me off.

This. Never tried gels. Never will. Imagine if I liked it... :shock:

pastey_boy

DonDaddyD wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

Paul E wrote:

I tried gels once, I didn't like the way it was a bit like a huge glob of snot in your mouth!!

I've heard it described as being similar to another (male only) bodily fluid...

Kinda put me off.

This. Never tried gels. Never will. Imagine if I liked it... :shock:

a man custard based energy gel could be invaluable in an emergency situation, its always at hand :P

DonDaddyD

pastey_boy wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

Paul E wrote:

I tried gels once, I didn't like the way it was a bit like a huge glob of snot in your mouth!!

I've heard it described as being similar to another (male only) bodily fluid...

Kinda put me off.

This. Never tried gels. Never will. Imagine if I liked it... :shock:

a man custard based energy gel could be invaluable in an emergency situation, its always at hand :P

I know! Lets list the many different emergency situations that would require this solution!

supersonic

I make my own isotonic drinks.

il_principe

pastey_boy wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

Paul E wrote:

I tried gels once, I didn't like the way it was a bit like a huge glob of snot in your mouth!!

I've heard it described as being similar to another (male only) bodily fluid...

Kinda put me off.

This. Never tried gels. Never will. Imagine if I liked it... :shock:

a man custard based energy gel could be invaluable in an emergency situation, its always at hand :P

Obtaining mid sportive it could be a little tricky though...

DonDaddyD

supersonic wrote:

I make my own isotonic drinks.

Please share?

stuaff

DonDaddyD wrote:

supersonic wrote:

I make my own isotonic drinks.

Please share?

You don't need anything too fancy for DIY drinks (though you can make up versions of a retail product, recipes out there)- half and half orange juice and water and a pinch of salt is my usual. 28p a litre too! For retail products, I've got a couple of Torq singles (as yet unused), SiS Go was fine (a little punchy in flavour, but in a nice way!), Zipvit was like weak squash (love the bars though, gel was fine too), Bikefood's very nice (might actually buy some of that!) and I also like the Hi5 Zero tabs (hydration/minerals only).

supersonic

^^ that!

10% fruit juice fresh orange, 50/50 with water with a pinch of lo salt (has potassium in it). Makes a very good isotonic drink. If tastes too weak, add some sugar free cordial.

TheStone

Another vote for High5 (citrus xtreme)

The most important drink is the recovery one you have at the end of a long ride.
Really notice it if you're riding the next day. I use SIS Rego.

Plus SIS Smart gels for when you don't think you can get home.

Can't get on with any of the energy bars, so now just take a selection of normal cereal bars.