What energy drink??

stinger53

Hi, i am after some energy drinks for my 40+ mile rides.
I liked the taste of the high5 source 2:1 drink.
but would be be better/cheaper to get something like these:
http://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutriti ... 30126.html
http://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutriti ... 30114.html
and mix them together with a little non sugar juice n water?


what do all you guys do?

thanks

sloppyschleckonds

Can't really see the need for energy drinks for 40+miles, just some of this with a squeeze of juice:
http://search.myprotein.com/search?w=el ... e%20powder

But yes, the other 2 would be a better/cheaper alternative.

stinger53

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Can't really see the need for energy drinks for 40+miles, just some of this with a squeeze of juice:
http://search.myprotein.com/search?w=el ... e%20powder

But yes, the other 2 would be a better/cheaper alternative.

why wouldn't you use them for longer rides?

LegendLust

This stuff is superb

http://www.reflex-nutrition.com/the-edge.html/

imposter2.0

stinger53 wrote:

why wouldn't you use them for longer rides?

why wouldn't you get your energy from food instead?

LegendLust

Imposter wrote:

stinger53 wrote:

why wouldn't you use them for longer rides?

why wouldn't you get your energy from food instead?

Because energy drink is absorbed quicker than solid food

imposter2.0

LegendLust wrote:

Imposter wrote:

stinger53 wrote:

why wouldn't you use them for longer rides?

why wouldn't you get your energy from food instead?

Because energy drink is absorbed quicker than solid food

Provided you are eating on the bike correctly, absorbtion speed is not relevant.

Camus

Been using SiS powder mix recently, pretty good, feel like it provides a boost but not the best flavour, very artificial and chalky/weak. I'm dubious about energy products though, will always just try to find a natural source of fuel, no additives that way.

nolight

How about dihydrogen oxide? It is free.

jordan_217

If you like the High 5 2:1 then you could probably stomach the High 5 Zero tabs. You can get a tube (20 tabs/servings) for £4.50-£6 and larger Tesco stores usually stock them in the Health and Beauty section with the dietary stuff.

I use them 1 tablet per 750ml of water. I also wrap 2 in some foil and stash in my jersey pocket for rides when I'll need to fill up, pubs and coffee stops will usually fill my bottles with tap water for free.

Personally, as a general rule of thumb, if a ride is long enough to warrant 2 x 750ml bottles then I'll use an energy drink. Otherwise, some squash.

nferrar

The key thing here is it's not necessary BUT is convenient. I use energy drinks myself on rides over 50 miles, the main reason being I'll be carrying water bottles anyway so I may as well get some energy from them rather than stuffing pockets with food. Energy drinks are easily digested/absorbed and a 4:1 drink like the High Five one means you can get more calories in per hour than you could on carbs alone - it's also a good way of replenishing electrolytes.
As for saving money, there's plenty of recipes on the internet for homemade energy drinks, just mix one up and see if you get on with it. Way too much faff for me though...

eskay

The Torq vanilla drink is by far the best tasting drink available (imo).

Padeye

jordan_217 wrote:

If you like the High 5 2:1 then you could probably stomach the High 5 Zero tabs. You can get a tube (20 tabs/servings) for £4.50-£6 and larger Tesco stores usually stock them in the Health and Beauty section with the dietary stuff.

I use them 1 tablet per 750ml of water. I also wrap 2 in some foil and stash in my jersey pocket for rides when I'll need to fill up, pubs and coffee stops will usually fill my bottles with tap water for free.

Personally, as a general rule of thumb, if a ride is long enough to warrant 2 x 750ml bottles then I'll use an energy drink. Otherwise, some squash.

High 5 Zero tabs are not an energy drink. The zero is for zero calories.

simonhead

My father in law who is about as tight as it gets mixes uses a food processor and mixes dried oats, icing sugar a vitamin c tablet and unflavoured protein powder. He turns this into a fine powder and puts it in "drug dealers bags". Seems to work for him at a fraction of the cost of the High 5 but is a pain in the ar$e and doesnt taste as nice as some of the commercial ones.

alihisgreat

I use SIS Go Electrolyte because it tastes amazing.

jordan_217

Padeye wrote:

jordan_217 wrote:

If you like the High 5 2:1 then you could probably stomach the High 5 Zero tabs. You can get a tube (20 tabs/servings) for £4.50-£6 and larger Tesco stores usually stock them in the Health and Beauty section with the dietary stuff.

I use them 1 tablet per 750ml of water. I also wrap 2 in some foil and stash in my jersey pocket for rides when I'll need to fill up, pubs and coffee stops will usually fill my bottles with tap water for free.

Personally, as a general rule of thumb, if a ride is long enough to warrant 2 x 750ml bottles then I'll use an energy drink. Otherwise, some squash.

High 5 Zero tabs are not an energy drink. The zero is for zero calories.

and zero sugar too They are primarily for use in hot conditions and/or hard sessions to replace electrolytes so won't provide you with the carbs or protein other drinks do but will help with rehydration and lessen the chances of cramping. If you're burning that many calories then you shouldn't be reliant on drinks alone, that's when IMO, you should be looking at consuming food too but there's no need to do that on rides less than 2 hrs, your bodies reserves should have enough fuel to sustain you through a steady session.

Either way, on the bike nutrition is a very personal thing. Like saddles, what works for one person won't work for everyone. It's a case of trial and error. Find something you like and stick to it.

stueys

I like the taste of SIS go electrolyte, but a look at the ingredients shows its filled with crap. Shame as it works well and sits easily on my stomachs. Tried High 5 but not really working for me. Now trying Torque to see how that goes, tastes nice but I've only used once.

Think energy drinks definitely have their place on 40-50+ mile rides. If its hilly then I end to take one bottle and carry electrolyte tabs to use in refills enroute to save lugging 1.5 litres of fluid around. Hot or hard riding needs an electrolyte mix in my experience.

rollemynot

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

I use SIS Go Electrolyte because it tastes amazing.

+1

Camus

Stueys wrote:

I like the taste of SIS go electrolyte, but a look at the ingredients shows its filled with crap. Shame as it works well and sits easily on my stomachs.

Have you tried grass, I think that might work for you!

Which SiS flavours are you all going for? I have the orange and it tastes like the worst orange squash ever, are some nicer than others? (btw I tried the gels and liked them).

sloppyschleckonds

stinger53 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Can't really see the need for energy drinks for 40+miles, just some of this with a squeeze of juice:
http://search.myprotein.com/search?w=el ... e%20powder

But yes, the other 2 would be a better/cheaper alternative.

why wouldn't you use them for longer rides?

Well if you had said 50+,60+ or 70+ thats a different ride.

40 miles is probably around about where you would be depleting your glycogen stores if not replenishing. You shouldn't need fuelling for that.

stinger53

it will prob be used for that once i get my fitness up. even tho when out today and did 35 miles with just 500ml of weak orange squash and was fine. so upto 50/60 miles should be ok with more liquid and bit stronger but anymore that that and would mostly likely need something more in my drink.

nawty

Irrespective of the different views on energy drinks, I love Torq Pink Grapefruit flavour (which is also isotonic), seems to work well, tastes lovely and not too sweet.