Energy drinks, gels and bars

ic.

Eat whatever works for you on a ride. If gels work you and you can afford them, use them. If you prefer homemade fat free fruit cake then eat that. Each to their own. Experiment a bit, especially with the stuff you get free at the end of sportives etc.

Me? Under 2 hours just water, amount depending on weather. Anything over 2 hours means eating every 30 minutes from the hour marks onwards (can be gel, Clif bar, malt loaf, flapjack, big slice of cake, jam sandwich). I do like Choo Almond Fudge Clif bars though. No idea if they deliver energy any better than a jam butty but they are flippin lovely. Especially when on a hot ride they've warmed up a bit in my pocket.

You only need to bonk once in life to know how important it is to eat before you need to

thegreatdivide

IC. wrote:

Eat whatever works for you on a ride. If gels work you and you can afford them, use them. If you prefer homemade fat free fruit cake then eat that. Each to their own. Experiment a bit, especially with the stuff you get free at the end of sportives etc.

Me? Under 2 hours just water, amount depending on weather. Anything over 2 hours means eating every 30 minutes from the hour marks onwards (can be gel, Clif bar, malt loaf, flapjack, big slice of cake, jam sandwich). I do like Choo Almond Fudge Clif bars though. No idea if they deliver energy any better than a jam butty but they are flippin lovely. Especially when on a hot ride they've warmed up a bit in my pocket.

You only need to bonk once in life to know how important it is to eat before you need to

Very much this.

thegreatdivide

DavidJB wrote:

Anything less than 4 hours is just water.

Over 4 hours I eat flapjacks or cereal bar things.

Gels are for racing not training.

But not this.

DavidJB

Sorry I shouldn't have put hours in...I didn't want a pissing match. The main point of my reply was to say that you shouldn't use gels in training as generally they aren't kind on the gut and you can use real food as you don't have to get it down quickly.

But at the end of the day eat what you want. It doesn't affect me I'm just trying to share the benefit of my experiences!

cat_with_no_tail

Never really got along with energy Gels / drinks tbh. I find that all the ones I've tried so far absolutely destroy my guts.

If we're talking longish rides (over 100km) I tend to take a couple of little packs of haribo. Maybe a banana. For really long rides I've recently discovered the joy that is M&S flapjacks (the ones in the round tubs). They come in handy little bitesize squares too.

TinyMac

I've been away for the weekend and just now checking back in. Thank you all for your helpful advice, and the entertainment.

However, I cannot get passed this one comment. I literally ready it with my mouth wide open at the screen in shock that someone would be so rude, obnoxious and patronising to a complete stranger, new to the sport, who is asking for help!

vimfuego wrote:

Standard thread really isn't it.

I suppose you do your 25 mile ride whilst wearing a replica pro team jersey, on a *insert big brand name here* bike and you use *insert name here* tyres too - all of which is contrary to what I do and therefore as my opinion is more valid than yours - you are both wrong and a johnny come lately fool.

Just try some gels etc on longer rides (the taster packs are cheap enough) see if it works for you and if so go with it. That and just just enjoy riding.

For the record, and to ease whatever issue it is that you have:
Today I have ridden 28miles;
In a Lidl's jersey and amazon cheap shorts (probably Chinese);
On a Trek Lexa;
With stock tyres on;
With 600ml of plain british tap water, costing an undetermined amount - which was clearly not enough in this heat

navrig2

TinyMac wrote:

I've been away for the weekend and just now checking back in. Thank you all for your helpful advice, and the entertainment.

However, I cannot get passed this one comment. I literally ready it with my mouth wide open at the screen in shock that someone would be so rude, obnoxious and patronising to a complete stranger, new to the sport, who is asking for help!

vimfuego wrote:

Standard thread really isn't it.

I suppose you do your 25 mile ride whilst wearing a replica pro team jersey, on a *insert big brand name here* bike and you use *insert name here* tyres too - all of which is contrary to what I do and therefore as my opinion is more valid than yours - you are both wrong and a johnny come lately fool.

Just try some gels etc on longer rides (the taster packs are cheap enough) see if it works for you and if so go with it. That and just just enjoy riding.

For the record, and to ease whatever issue it is that you have:
Today I have ridden 28miles;
In a Lidl's jersey and amazon cheap shorts (probably Chinese);
On a Trek Lexa;
With stock tyres on;
With 600ml of plain british tap water, costing an undetermined amount - which was clearly not enough in this heat

Do you know how much chlorine goes into that tap water? And you're drinking it.

Dippydog2

All my rides are training rides.

TinyMac

Navrig2 wrote:

TinyMac wrote:

I've been away for the weekend and just now checking back in. Thank you all for your helpful advice, and the entertainment.

However, I cannot get passed this one comment. I literally ready it with my mouth wide open at the screen in shock that someone would be so rude, obnoxious and patronising to a complete stranger, new to the sport, who is asking for help!

vimfuego wrote:

Standard thread really isn't it.

I suppose you do your 25 mile ride whilst wearing a replica pro team jersey, on a *insert big brand name here* bike and you use *insert name here* tyres too - all of which is contrary to what I do and therefore as my opinion is more valid than yours - you are both wrong and a johnny come lately fool.

Just try some gels etc on longer rides (the taster packs are cheap enough) see if it works for you and if so go with it. That and just just enjoy riding.

For the record, and to ease whatever issue it is that you have:
Today I have ridden 28miles;
In a Lidl's jersey and amazon cheap shorts (probably Chinese);
On a Trek Lexa;
With stock tyres on;
With 600ml of plain british tap water, costing an undetermined amount - which was clearly not enough in this heat

Do you know how much chlorine goes into that tap water? And you're drinking it.

True but it came free with my 'normal water' so I think that makes it ok

navrig2

TinyMac wrote:

Navrig2 wrote:

TinyMac wrote:

I've been away for the weekend and just now checking back in. Thank you all for your helpful advice, and the entertainment.

However, I cannot get passed this one comment. I literally ready it with my mouth wide open at the screen in shock that someone would be so rude, obnoxious and patronising to a complete stranger, new to the sport, who is asking for help!

vimfuego wrote:

Standard thread really isn't it.

I suppose you do your 25 mile ride whilst wearing a replica pro team jersey, on a *insert big brand name here* bike and you use *insert name here* tyres too - all of which is contrary to what I do and therefore as my opinion is more valid than yours - you are both wrong and a johnny come lately fool.

Just try some gels etc on longer rides (the taster packs are cheap enough) see if it works for you and if so go with it. That and just just enjoy riding.

For the record, and to ease whatever issue it is that you have:
Today I have ridden 28miles;
In a Lidl's jersey and amazon cheap shorts (probably Chinese);
On a Trek Lexa;
With stock tyres on;
With 600ml of plain british tap water, costing an undetermined amount - which was clearly not enough in this heat

Do you know how much chlorine goes into that tap water? And you're drinking it.

True but it came free with my 'normal water' so I think that makes it ok

Touche

joedxb

Ill sum up the last 7 pages

Eat and drink what works for you, some people seem to be super human. I use gels and drink alot more than anyone else on here by the looks of it

johnny25

joedxb wrote:

Ill sum up the last 7 pages

Eat and drink what works for you, some people seem to be super human. I use gels and drink alot more than anyone else on here by the looks of it

I'm with you on this one.

I have a high metabolic rate, so burn through calories at the rate of knots!

On a ride between 40 & 50 miles (majority tempo with approx 10 to 20% threshold), I find after 1.5 hours I'm into the carbs - I normally consume a bottle of SIS Go (500ml), an energy gel or 2 and a banana. If I don't, I tend to get a severe headache, which isn't amusing when you've still got 20 or so miles to cycle home.

Prior to a ride I eat a bowl of porridge and a banana with an energy bar or similar.

Eat what you need to eat. Who cares, it's your health and well being at the end of the day.

Moonbiker

Why do some people always throw away there gel wrappers all over the road in sportives etc, they must think they are riding the tdf.

All theese pre packaged foods create do alot of exra litter everwhere. :evil:


I just take a few fig rolls, & have orange juice & water mixed in my bottle. :?

thegreatdivide

Moonbiker wrote:

Why do some people always throw away there gel wrappers all over the road in sportives etc, they must think they are riding the tdf.

All theese pre packaged foods create do alot of exra litter everwhere. :evil:


I just take a few fig rolls, & have orange juice & water mixed in my bottle. :?

Would you like a merit badge for this?

birdie23

Moonbiker wrote:

Why do some people always throw away there gel wrappers all over the road in sportives etc, they must think they are riding the tdf.

All theese pre packaged foods create do alot of exra litter everwhere. :evil:


I just take a few fig rolls, & have orange juice & water mixed in my bottle. :?

Not everyone does.

I dropped a gel wrapper in a sportive this weekend, pulled over picked it up shoved it back in my jersey pocket and got back on my bike.

roux_guy

Agreed, mine get tucked into my shorts to be disposed of at home.

pippi_langsamer-2

Carbonator wrote:

Pippi Langsamer wrote:

Is there anyone out there who makes a tasteless ie no artificial flavouring, and artificial sweetener free gel!

I'd rather gag on this and wash it down quickly with water from the bottle rather than rot my teeth/ insides with the shoite they put in most of them.

Well Torq do not have artificial sweeteners and say 'natural flavours', whatever that means.

Not sure what artificial stuff has got to do with rotting teeth though anyway, and would have thought the more 'natural' gels would be fine for your insides.
Would have thought a flapjack would be worse for your teeth.

Isn't it the number of times you eat/drink things that is the bigger problem for teeth?
Your teeth do not know the difference between a small and large milkshake if you drink it in one go, but they would if you took all day to drink it.

Problem with cycling is the constant nibbling over many hours.
You can down a gel without it touching your teeth much.

Brushing your teeth after cycling would probably be more beneficial than not having gels.
Indeed as above, having gels is probably more beneficial for your teeth than not having gels in some cases lol.

I was told about ten years ago I had bad enamel erosion. Dentist asked if I drank sports drinks when I told him I never drink fizzy pop or the like. He said the acidity of these drinks is very high, coupled with the "spraying", effect of a bidon into your mouth/ over your teeth was about as bad as it gets for acid/ enamel erosion.

Oh, and brushing your teeth immediately afterwards was also a big no-no apparently as this would greater the effect (further abrasion). Better to chew gum for a while til the acid was mostly neutralised and the brush.....gently.

birdie23

Pippi Langsamer wrote:

Carbonator wrote:

Pippi Langsamer wrote:

Is there anyone out there who makes a tasteless ie no artificial flavouring, and artificial sweetener free gel!

I'd rather gag on this and wash it down quickly with water from the bottle rather than rot my teeth/ insides with the shoite they put in most of them.

Well Torq do not have artificial sweeteners and say 'natural flavours', whatever that means.

Not sure what artificial stuff has got to do with rotting teeth though anyway, and would have thought the more 'natural' gels would be fine for your insides.
Would have thought a flapjack would be worse for your teeth.

Isn't it the number of times you eat/drink things that is the bigger problem for teeth?
Your teeth do not know the difference between a small and large milkshake if you drink it in one go, but they would if you took all day to drink it.

Problem with cycling is the constant nibbling over many hours.
You can down a gel without it touching your teeth much.

Brushing your teeth after cycling would probably be more beneficial than not having gels.
Indeed as above, having gels is probably more beneficial for your teeth than not having gels in some cases lol.

I was told about ten years ago I had bad enamel erosion. Dentist asked if I drank sports drinks when I told him I never drink fizzy pop or the like. He said the acidity of these drinks is very high, coupled with the "spraying", effect of a bidon into your mouth/ over your teeth was about as bad as it gets for acid/ enamel erosion.

Oh, and brushing your teeth immediately afterwards was also a big no-no apparently as this would greater the effect (further abrasion). Better to chew gum for a while til the acid was mostly neutralised and the brush.....gently.

Almost everything that goes in your mouth all day is bad for your teeth. If you want perfect teeth be prepared to die for them.

iPete

If you can manage it, ITV4s Cycle Show is with SiS in their factory showing how it's made and what's inside and also how to make your own with some celebrity chef bloke.. Keep you all happy.

rickeverett

That flapjack type thing he made looked really nice.
Had a look and it works out much cheaper to make your own + taste better no doubt.

ugo.santalucia

Pippi Langsamer wrote:

I was told about ten years ago I had bad enamel erosion. Dentist asked if I drank sports drinks when I told him I never drink fizzy pop or the like. He said the acidity of these drinks is very high, coupled with the "spraying", effect of a bidon into your mouth/ over your teeth was about as bad as it gets for acid/ enamel erosion.

Oh, and brushing your teeth immediately afterwards was also a big no-no apparently as this would greater the effect (further abrasion). Better to chew gum for a while til the acid was mostly neutralised and the brush.....gently.

Teeth are overestimated... a couple of generations back folks my age barely had any left... yet most made it in their 80s and nobody died of starvation.
Have you noticed how private dentists from "surgeons" have now become "plastic surgeons"? If you want a job which does not have a cosmetically inflated bill, you need to go to the NHS, as private dentists refuse to do it

charlie_potatoes

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Teeth are overestimated... a couple of generations back folks my age barely had any left...

A nice free weight saving?

vimfuego

can you get carbon falsies? maybe some nice Rapha ones that are guaranteed to make you go faster?