Energy bars and gels - worth it?

pottssteve

I'm off on a longish ride (about 110km) next week and was considering taking a couple of gels or energy bars. However, my (much) better half has said she'll knock me up a batch of flapjack. Is there much advantage in buying the "professional" stuff? I'll be aiming to ride at about 25km/hr, if this is relevant.

Cheers,
Steve

BrianTrousers

Flapjacks will be just Jim Dandy. I only take gels as emergency rations in case I start bonking. As long as you start eating early enough (after about 30 mins) and relatively frequently you'll be fine.

I presume the terrain you'll be riding on will be relatively flat, although you will be taking the wind into account judging by your location description!

I don't normally touch the gels until I'm 110k in, so you'll have just finished!

That said, personal levels of fitness, physiology, everyone's different etc etc

pottssteve

Thanks, Brian,

That's sort of what I thought. I'll be heading South into the Ardennes (Gilbert country) so although there aren't any huge mountains there's a lot of up and down. And I'm a bit of a chunky monkey. However, I'll load up with flapjack instead.

Steve

MountainMonster

I personally swear by the pwoerbars, cookies and cream ones are tasty, and help alot while riding. I also don't mind the gels, but prefer the bars.

I take 2 bars with me for rides of around 100km, and always a few bottles of water. They are a bit expensive, but the powerbars work wonders!

Bobbinogs

I like to mix the gels/bars with real food and find that works great. However, I would strongly recommend that you don't experiment on the ride itself. Some folks can bloat out with the sport products (let's face it, your body has had a lifetime of getting used to normal food) so stick to what works in training. Best to have a nice mix of food to keep your body going (a banana or two, some flapjack, maybe a sarnie, etc., ...and a boosting gel for when you need it).

navrig

Home made flapjack with some peanut butter added. Just make sure it is not too hard as that makes it difficult to eat and not too soft or the paper/foil will stick to it and you wont be able to unwrap it with one hand. Having that foil on filling feeling at 20mph is not a good ideaaaaaa......ghhhhhhhh.

ShutUpLegs

A banana or 2 & oaty flapjacks would be good, but experimenting with what gels or bars agree with you or actually work is probably not a good idea. Staying hydrated is the priority.

springtide9

As above.

Gels and Sports Bars work best... but take a bit of getting used too, so not something to take on the day (unless in small quantities).

Mix with real food or at least more natural products... I am a big fan of these products and have used them exclusively on very long events, but I cannot say it's a very pleasurable experience

Hydrated is also key. You need water to digest what you've eaten... and sports drinks can also be a way of drip feeding your body with food.

As for your speed... it depends on whether 25km/hr is cruising or an extremely hard effort for you. Basically, if you reduce the effort, you reduce the amount of energy your body needs from taking on food. And if you reduce the effort enough... you can get all of your energy from fat supplies, so just water would do.

pottssteve

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

I've used flapjacks before on rides of around 90km and they were good. I only usually ride between 40 and 60 km so a banana or a couple of crackers suffice if I get peckish. Never having used gels/bars I might take one just to see if I do bloat out for future reference.

25kph is average-ish for me, but I'm riding with another person so we might go a bit faster/slower.

I'll be taking extra drink for hydration - I favour Albert Heijn Euroshopper brand fruit juice, diluted with water!


Steve

dennisn

I don't believe they are BETTER than food but from a convenience point of view they are easy to carry and work just fine when used in conjunction with real food. By that I mean I wouldn't try to live on them alone.

kev77

I did a triathlon using zipvit gels, never tried them before the event anyway very high carb content i was buzzing all the way round! unfortunatley my ass was like a wigan rosette for the next 5 days. Do not make the mistake i did.

MountainMonster

If you're bringing a bag, take a beer with you as well. Very tasty.

markos1963

I think bars are very overated and prefer to use real food. Flapjacks are great if you make them yourself as you can regulate the ingredients that you get on with. I use plenty of honey to keep them moist enough.
I do use gels though, especially the ones with caffiene, they provide a good quick blast of energy for upcoming hills and headwind sections. Torq ones are my favorite, nice flavours and they don't give me the sh$ts like some of the others.

ex-pat scot

Flapjack.
Banana
Can't be @rsed with gels or bars - only use them when marathon running, and then because they are simple to carry and consume

thegreatdivide

If you're in Belgium get some of those round waffles, they rock and will beat any scientifically designed bar/gel. You can buy the Stinger ones but why bother when you can get the real deal for a fraction of the price.

Personally I try and steer clear of flapjacks that are oat heavy because the hit isn't quick enough for me. I make 'flapjacks' that are about 70% dried fruit and 30% oats. The oats are only there to bind. If I can't be 4rsed baking then I'll butter two slices of Soreen and stick em together wrapped in cling film. A couple of those and a savoury treat like a wee brioche and pate. Job done. If it's going to be a particularly long ride then a high caffeine gel gets added for the last leg. Oh and a wee bank bag with some Jelly Babies always goes down a treat

One Man And His Bike

Word of warning, if you are going to go with the gels and sports bar stuff, some can make you heave or even throw up which can lead to a spectacular bonk.

So it's worth trying to get your hands on some freebies/samples to see which ones you like and can eat without ill effects.

It's one of those things that depends on you and your stomach and system but it is worth a mention.

jermas

Kellogg's nutrigrain bars work wonders. As good as any sports energy bars but a third of the price and easily available. Blueberry and blackberry / apple flavours are nice.

apreading

jermas wrote:

Kellogg's nutrigrain bars work wonders. As good as any sports energy bars but a third of the price and easily available. Blueberry and blackberry / apple flavours are nice.

+1 Definately - had the Strawberry ones last year and they were good, but oh my lord the blackberry and apple flavour is a revelation!

Having said that, have you tried Clif bars? They are worth eating for taste alone - even if you arent on the bike!

Another fave of mine is the ZipVit Chocolate Orange or Yoghurt coated Blueberry and Banana.

I used to take gels just for that final spurt on long runs but you have to be careful - they give you a buzz and if you are under-fuelled or bonking before you take them this can be a major buzz but after a while they suddenly run out and if you dont keep yourself fuelled the bad can outweigh the good. I use Zipvit gels (not the caffeine ones) and they were fine, if a little messy. Decathlon to a Rhubarb flavour one which is good.

I am currently trying Clif Shot Bloks as an alternative to Gels - less messy and easier to take, plus if you want to you take a couple of chunks every so often, spread out rather than a whole one and then nothing until the next whole one. Looks to be a better alternative to Gels potentially.

Nothing wrong with 'normal' food though - as long as it delivers the energy you need and is easy to carry.

AndyF16

Got a couple of gels free samples from LBS recently - now as a heterosexual male I can't be sure, but they seem quite close to an act you probably like performed on you, foul!

cornerblock

AndyF16 wrote:

Got a couple of gels free samples from LBS recently - now as a heterosexual male I can't be sure, but they seem quite close to an act you probably like performed on you, foul!

I suppose your far too manly for a banana then?

springtide9

Cornerblock wrote:

AndyF16 wrote:

Got a couple of gels free samples from LBS recently - now as a heterosexual male I can't be sure, but they seem quite close to an act you probably like performed on you, foul!

I suppose your far too manly for a banana then?

I don't mind fresh bananas, but I'm not man enough to eat one that has been stuffed into a hot and sweaty jersey pocket for a few hours.