What do i need........energy bars or gels

greeny67

Can anyone tell me if there are any differances between energy bars and gels and what they recommend. Im fine on short rides but on anything longer than 2 hrs i really struggle and find my energy levels drop. At the moment i have the fluid sorted with the sis electrolyte drink but i only take muesli bars from the supermarket and need to find something that can keep me going later in the ride but dont know what to get. Any advice welcomed. Thanks

dmch2

I just have a nutri grain bar and a bottle of water every hour (banana and drink before i start to do the first hour and a decent meal a few hours before that). That seems fine for up to 50 miles. I'm not good enough to go much further!
This was recommended by a friend who does things like 6 hour races and a 50 mile commute so i don't think us mortals need to worry about anything more.

MikeWW

For training rides take flap jack, malt loaf, energy bars, bananas -whatever you enjoy really
I'd save the gels for races where you just want the energy and aren't bothered that you are swallowing gloop. I will normally take 1 gel on long rides in case I run low on energy and need a boost to get home but strictly emergency only

BeaconRuth

MikeWW wrote:

For training rides take flap jack, malt loaf, energy bars, bananas -whatever you enjoy really
I'd save the gels for races where you just want the energy and aren't bothered that you are swallowing gloop. I will normally take 1 gel on long rides in case I run low on energy and need a boost to get home but strictly emergency only

What he said. Unless you're training extremely hard or competing then ordinary food will do fine.

Ruth

twotyred

Try switching to an energy drink instead of one with just electrolytes. PSP 22 if you want to stay with SIS. It will keep you topped up if you aren't eating enough or often enough. Or just take more food with you. Energy gels are great but they're a bit pricey to use all the time so I save them for Sportives or I take one with me for emergencies.You'll also find that with more cycling your body will become more efficient at using your fat and whatever other food you have on board.

simon_e

BeaconRuth wrote:

Unless you're training extremely hard or competing then ordinary food will do fine.

I agree. I like fruit bars, Geobars or Eat Natural yoghurt coated ones. Fig rolls, malt loaf and muesli / cereal bars are popular choices. Or you could make your own. IIRC Jeff Jones trains on Snickers and he isn't slow.

A gel will give you a quicker boost when you're tired but equally energy levels will drop off quicker too. As long as you're not riding flat out, when you can't really absorb much anyway, something your taste buds and stomach find agreeable should be fine consumed with adequate water, water+juice or energy drink.

And don't forget something for afterwards, whether chocolate milk shake, tuna & pasta or something else with a mix of carbs and protein. If nothing else, it stops you getting the munchies and having to make do with the pasties and crisps at the nearest petrol station or convenience store.