Energy Gels

Carlm90

What energy gels do you use? Why do you use them and which ones are the healthiest for you? I'm looking at buying some in bulk but wanted to hear a wide range of views on what ones you prefer.

... or if not gels, what else do you use, what really works?

anto164

gels are a personal preference.. I'd make sure that you test some out to make sure that firstly they're fine for your stomach, and secondly they're OK for taste and texture.

Go to a couple of shops and get a selection. Then test them out over the course of a couple of weeks. THEN buy them in bulk.

As for what i use, powerbar gels (with plenty of water) only when i am nearly running on empty and i've got no solids left.

Carlm90

I had energy bars in my last ride and they worked well. The chocolate energy power bar gave me a boost. I tried the gel right at the end and it really set me up for the end. It was fine with my stomach, I was just worried about the health side of things. Thanks for your reply

CRAIGO5000

I use those kids bananas from Asda. Small and can fit multiples into your jersey pockets along with individually wrapped (using food bags) slices of Soreen. They are easy to remove on the move and provide ample energy for me.

I also make a 6% carb mix energy drink using Torq in up to two 800ml bottles for extra long rides. Otherwise just water.

mikeyboy12345

None of them are "healthy"! I use High 5 branded stuff, purely because that's what Wiggle hand out on their Super Series sportives. Enter 5 weeks in advance and Wiggle give you a box. I've got 4 boxes in my kitchen - can't use 'em quick enough.

CNP might be worth a look if you want to save on bulk purchases. They supply Team GB and Team Sky. If you're a British Cycling member you'll get 40% discount (enter code "BC40M" at checkout).

TBH, unless you're an athlete and need a competitive edge, or you can't afford to stop at any point in your ride, I think gels are a bit overrated. For a 50mi ride I don't bother - I just rely on drinks and the odd banana.

danowat

I only ever use gels on TT's, and then I use SIS Energiser gels, I like the like caffine kick you get from them.

amaferanga

Gels are for racing when its almost impossible to eat regular food. For regular riding eat regular food. Regular food (e.g. bananas, soreen, flapjack, etc.) is much cheaper as well.

shipley

I agree.... soreen and a banana do me for 60 miles or above if I feel I need it.

One thing I have found to be great are those Frijj milkshakes used as recovery drinks. One of the cycling mags recommended it and for me its a great way to recover quickly.

Carlm90

I love Frigg milkshakes so thanks for that tip, even more reason to drink them

I just wanted a more natural option to energy instead of spending a lot of money on these energy bars because essentially there's other food that does the same job, maybe better.

The recovery drinks are sorted, I'll get some of those sweet bananas and soreen etc.

I'm doing a triathlon so I think I will invest in some more energy bars and stay away from the gels.

Thanks for the suggestions on what to put in my drink, anything else that I can mix with water that will be great in a triathlon?

geoff_ss

I think they're ideal for emergency use. I've only seriously bonked once and it's not something I want to repeat. It was before gels were ever heard of but I'm sure having a couple available would have got me back. I don't think I'd want to rely on them as a regular thing.

I always carried a tiny tin opener in my wallet and bought a tin of Ambrosia rice pudding from a corner shop for emergency eating straight out of the tin ... ambrosia! a perfect name.

MountainMonster

I am a big fan of the cookies n' creme powerbars, and green apple flavour powergels. They work quite well for me! Nice n easy to carry, and lots of energy to fuel sudden drops of power!

amaferanga

For racing energy gels make more sense than energy bars. The few energy bars I've tried were far from easy to eat - the last thing you want in a race is to have to sit up for 2 or 3 minutes while you eat.

danowat

There is no way on this earth I could eat an energy bar on a TT, it would be impossible, on a 50TT, I am lucky if I can get a gel down halfway round, let alone try and chow down on a bar.

I tried powerbars in longer distance non-races before, and even then I found them tough to eat.

I use them before the start, simply because they are quick and convenient and easy to carry, I don't need to think about it.

kettrinboy

Ive been using Torq gels for a few years now, the plain gels are nicer tasting than the ones with guarana which leave a nasty aftertaste, you need to take them with water or else the sweet taste stays in your mouth for ages,they definitely work though, i always carry one or two in my pocket.

ollyridesfirst

I take out SIS gels with me only on the longer rides. They are there for emergency use (ie. to get my home in the last 20 miles or so).

You'll notice when you use them, you get a sort of 20-30 minute buzz of energy, then you're worse than you were before!

MattC59

I usually keep a gel in my jersey pocket, just in case, but I rarely use them. Energy drinks such are Torq are good, but I prefer something solid, so I usually have an energy bar or a banana in my pocket, and a bottle of water with a nunn tab in.

Mule bars taste good and are palatable, especially the Apple Strudle flavour. This is fairly evident by the fact that you can never find them in the shops, they're always sold out !!!!

rogerthecat

We react differently to each product I have found. I will perform better if I keep my carbohydrate intake level at about 60g in the hour, take that amount onboard anyway you want; you will find that the bars and gels are designed for this very purpose otherwise you would see banana skins and fig role packets all over the TDF route! would you not? To emphasize this point, Sundays ride of 100 miles was going great guns, the first 75 kept a steady 19 mph taking on bars, gels and fluid, the last 25 I wanted to keep what I had left for today (it get expensive) so I did not take on any carbs other than from my fluid, I noticed a marked drop in performance. This is me my body and that’s how I work, other riders will not need or bother to do this, it may be a case of trial and error with different bars, gels, fruit, et al to get your formula.

One last note, when doing the Magnificat earlier this month they had some truly wonderful parkin / flapjacks which done the trick also.

Carlm90

I've just gone ahead and ordered 10 gels to test and also for this weekend's race.

I can see them before much more comfortable to eat and also quicker. I will make sure I have plenty of bananas and similar before though to give me a good boost.

sloppyschleckonds

I had 20 gels once and wasn't sick

Hierotochan

I bought a few of the SIS ones, as well as some of the freebies (High5) I've been given.

Brought out one with me for a slightly longer ride than normal.
Bearing in mind its the first one I've ever had, the flavour was OK but frankly the texture was horrible.

Is it possible to mix the gels with water (say 1 or 2 to a bottle), rather than with a swig after each mouthful?

Think I may just be a solid food person, aleast until I retire!

Herbsman

I tend to have carbohydrate suppositories. Molecules are absorbed much faster through the rear end due to the fact that there are more blood vessels there.

danowat

That must lead to some interesting mid-ride refuelling

dennisn

Carlm90 wrote:

What energy gels do you use? Why do you use them and which ones are the healthiest for you?

I doubt you will find "healthy" energy gels. They are simply convenient, sometimes tasty packets of sugar or other cheap carbs.

Butterd2

Some American's I ride with introduced me to Gu gels, not common over here but they can be found on eBay. Not sure they are healthy but boy do they work!

jamlala

Herbsman wrote:

I tend to have carbohydrate suppositories. Molecules are absorbed much faster through the rear end due to the fact that there are more blood vessels there.

Hmmmm....

Herbsman

Well it saves money on cocaine too - due to the much higher rate of absorption, you only have to use half the amount you'd normally snort.

thegreatdivide

I'm in the banana and Soreen camp too - but think about adding a single ZipVit ZV7C in the jersey for the home stretch http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... gel-44693/

thegreatdivide

Herbsman wrote:

Well it saves money on cocaine too - due to the much higher rate of absorption, you only have to use half the amount you'd normally snort.

Plus racking up on the top tube is a fuxking nightmare!

lvquestpaddler

I tried gels and bars for the first time this summer, seem to get on well with the strawberry Powerbar ones, but the SIS Berry ones(purple/orange packaging with extra caffeine) made me want to throw on a hot day competing in the Corrieyairack a few weeks ago. I also tried a Powerbar Chocolate bar for the first time that day and couild only manage half of it made me feel nauseous too. The SIS orange drink thing is rank too. I'm going back to real food, bananas and water will do and a fraction of the price. Couple of cold bacon rolls in the hipper would do too..... :P
(I do realise the fatal flaw of experimenting with Frankengels on the day and not prior to the event to see what like.....!)