Oh my darling Clementine - natural alternative to gels

bahzob

Just a quick tip. I have found that when doing hard intervals a few segments of clementine taken just before or even during the effort work wonders. While they don't pack in as many calories as a gel they taste a lot better and I've found they provide a nice refreshing quite natural boost.

They are dead easy to eat, even on outdoor rides, just pop some in a tribag, no waste no mess.

There's even a bit of science behind the idea http://raws.adc.rmit.edu.au/~x04692/blog2/?p=3

rodgers73

I recently found a bag of dried figs in a kitchen cupboard. I bet they'd be great for fuelling too

Bobbinogs

Excellent. I have often found myself hankering for some natural fruity snack whilst halfway through a hard interval session. To date I have had to make do with a Terry's chocolate orange but those days are now behind me.

bahzob

rodgers73 wrote:

I recently found a bag of dried figs in a kitchen cupboard. I bet they'd be great for fuelling too

Maybe. But without wishing to get too explicit on the subject there is something very stimulating about the gush of sweet cold liquid that comes in a burst when you bite into a segment of clementine. It can set your nerves tingling.

Not sure a dried fig could ever do that for me I'm afraid.

navrig

Even better. The French use escargot as a good source of energy (and protein) when cycling. Readily available at the roadside, prewrapped and also give that juicy squish as you bite down on them (just remember to unwrap first).