enrgy drink + recovery drink

s25scd
s25scd Posts: 84
edited October 2010 in Road beginners
Getting sick of my isostar energy drink and was wondering what everyone else was using and what they think is the best. At weekends i do a really hilly 60 miler but the last 2 outings the legs have been dead at the end of it even though eating on bike at every hour etc and dont think i ever get a boost of any kind from the isostar. Has anyone tried the S.I.S stuff?. I came accross a work buddy who uses creatine!!! I have played football to a decent level plus a spell body building and used creatine but for cycling I really dont think it can help with endurance ( sure im opening a can of worms and someone will say so), Anyways can anyone recommend a good energy drink for on the bike and a recovery drink or should I just resume to go down the EPO route and have a 24hr doctor on stand by to ensure my blood doesnt thicken!! only joking cheers

Comments

  • JohnBoyUK
    JohnBoyUK Posts: 206
    Lucozade Lite Lemon and Lime for me. Only 50 calories too.
  • SBezza
    SBezza Posts: 2,173
    JohnBoyUK wrote:
    Lucozade Lite Lemon and Lime for me. Only 50 calories too.

    That isn't really an energy drink, with an energy drink you want the calories from the sugar. Even then a normal bottle only has about 140 calories in it. I don't think there is that much in the way of electrolytes in Lucozade either.

    With other brands, I guess it will be a try it and see experiment, to see what you like best. I like the SiS Go, but only really use it on long races, most of my rides are done with just water.

    With regards to the legs being dead, it could be you have pushed harder than before, or you are just tired. Energy drinks help, but they are not wonder drinks, just help keep the glycogen stores topped up, and help with electrolyte replacement.

    I wouldn't bother with creatine, unless you want to drag the excess weight up the hills.

    Recovery drinks, just look for something that has the 3:1 or 4:1 carbs/protein balance in a drink. I use For Goodness Shakes most of the time, but have also used a banana and a whey protein shake made with milk. Both work pretty well with me. SiS Rego is OK as well, just not quite as nice.
  • I use stuff from these people http://www.allsports-online.co.uk/allsports.cgi

    The summer and winter training formulas during rides and the amino load as a recovery drink.

    However there'll be lots of people along in a minute with other options
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • s25scd
    s25scd Posts: 84
    cheers SBezza, . thinking of trying the High5 EnergySource 4:1 from wiggle seems it got some good reviews, just the past couple of runs ive been geeting the odd cramp in the leg and im taking onboard the fluids so maybe see how the High 5 goes, Good info thanks.
  • Velonutter
    Velonutter Posts: 2,437
    s25scd wrote:
    cheers SBezza, . thinking of trying the High5 EnergySource 4:1 from wiggle seems it got some good reviews, just the past couple of runs ive been geeting the odd cramp in the leg and im taking onboard the fluids so maybe see how the High 5 goes, Good info thanks.

    Brilliant stuff for long rides, try their new 4:1 bars as well.
  • shm_uk
    shm_uk Posts: 683
    As an alternative opinion...

    Some people will tell you that the small fortune you would spend on branded energy and recovery drinks/powders are a waste of money for most people.

    After years of using SIS and Hi-5 products, I started relying on simple home-made stuff with no real noticeable adverse affect.

    A lot of people also over-compensate with energy products (possibly due to a 'more = better' mentality) and end up putting on weight. Also, if you're riding for less than an hour your body doesn't really need all the additional calories from an energy drink as your muscles have sufficient stored glycogen for an hour or so of exercise.


    And as SBezza said, energy drinks are not miracle potions - if you're just plain tired then you need rest, not calories.



    This is what works for me:

    For an energy drink during a ride I mix 50/50 pure orange juice (no bits!) and water, with half a teaspoon of salt per litre. Only for rides well over an hour though. I just use water if I'm riding less than 90 minutes.

    As a recovery drink I blend 500ml skimmed milk, 25/30g whey protein, 2 bananas (or 1.5 if they're big) and a teaspoon or two of cocoa powder. Follow this up with a 'proper' meal an hour or two later.
  • vorsprung
    vorsprung Posts: 1,953
    s25scd wrote:
    Getting sick of my isostar energy drink and was wondering what everyone else was using and what they think is the best. At weekends i do a really hilly 60 miler but the last 2 outings the legs have been dead at the end of it even though eating on bike at every hour etc

    Last weekend I did a hilly 125km and ate one banana and drank a litre of weak orange drink with electrolyte powder mixed in. Maybe you just ride harder than me and so need more energy.

    On really long rides I use electrolyte mix + water and eat homemade flapjack. If I feel emptied of energy I use the All Sports Amino Load recovery drink during the ride

    See these blog articles for more info

    http://audaxing.wordpress.com/category/ ... nutrition/
  • s25scd
    s25scd Posts: 84
    Thanks lads all good posts, will have a blast at the high 5 and see what works best, my diet is ok and eat quite sensibly without being obsessive about diet, Maybe its just old age knocking on the door lol, for 20 yrs the body has took a beating! Have to keep reminding myself that im not 19 anymore but im not pushing a zimmer either! Thanks.
  • nickwill
    nickwill Posts: 2,735
    I use stuff from these people http://www.allsports-online.co.uk/allsports.cgi

    The summer and winter training formulas during rides and the amino load as a recovery drink.

    However there'll be lots of people along in a minute with other options

    +1 for the Winter Formula. Used it for the first time last week and really rated it. During the summer I like ZipVit stuff. I can't dring SIS , if I put it in my bottles, it's still there at the end of the ride.
  • bilirubin
    bilirubin Posts: 225
    I use Tricarb by "my protein" its a good source of energy before, during and after cycling , supports muscular recovery and replaces the salts lost through sweating, £7.95 for 800grms.

    1 x scoop into my water bottle topped up with cold bottled water out the fridge and flavoured with a drop of orange juice.

    When I get in I have a glass of 50% milk/50% water with a scoop of whey protein which seems to stop my muscles aching that night and the next day.

    I also make home made flapjacks using a receipe I found on this forum, apricots, oats, honey & brown sugar, they work a treat.
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    High 5 4:1 for rides.

    Maximuscle Recovermax for post rides
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • Rapha
    Rapha Posts: 86
    +1 for the High5

    There was a time when I mixed the drinks myself but after some trial and error found that I ended up rides feeling stronger with High5. It also tastes a lot better. Considering how much you can spend on bikes its well worth getting the nutrition side right too.

    I generally use the 4:1 during training and EnergySource for races. The Isogels are really good too for giving me a boost, especially the caffeine one.

    For recovery there is nothing that tastes better than the High5 ProteinRecovery Banana Vanilla. I always see it as a reward for a particular hard or long ride! The real difference is that its Whey Protein rather than some cheaper protein that other manufacturers seem to use to save money. I read an article about a while back that looked at the difference in quality of protein (like whey and soya protein) and recovery. Higher quality protein really seems to have a considerable difference in recovery so well worth paying a little extra.
  • Butterd2
    Butterd2 Posts: 937
    On long days I will take one bottle of energy drink (High5/SIS whatever) for energy plus electrolytes. One bottle of water with Nuun hydration tablet (electrolytes/rehydration but no energy) and then a Gel or 2 as a last resort!

    I have used For Goodness Shakes as a 3:1 recovery drink and that seemed pretty good but it is always going to be difficult to tell how much it actually helped.

    Keep well away from Creatine you do not need the muscle bulk or water retention that come with it.
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