Energy bars...

MonkeyMonster

So I've got a split commute - 45-50 minutes in between 5 miles and 7.5

I generally eat breakfast on the train after the first load but chomp on an energy bar after the 2nd. Want a bit of variation - what make/flavour of bars do people here eat if they have a favourite otherwise is it a - whatever's on sale...

Currently have the hi5 orange and ginger crc exlusives which are quite nice actually but coming to end of box.

btw this is based on the idea that eating up to 30 mins after exercise is the best recovery thing to do and it's easy to have a stash of these bad boys.

NeXXus

You aren't really doing enough to warrant eating energy bars

surrey_commuter

have a glass of milk

il_principe

You don't need bars. I prefer Mule Apple Strudel, but will only take them on rides of 40 miles or longer...

t4tomo

thats similar to my commute, although my train bit is 20-25 mins.

I work on weetabix or museli before I set off and a shower and a cup of coffee when I get in.

never felttempted to have an energy bar when I gte to work, occasionally I might have a banana

rower63

I love Jordan's Frusli bars, especially the blueberry ones. But I find it impossible to eat just one (they come in packs of 6...)

anonymousblackfg

You have far too much money if you're going down this route, just eat something normal (though obviously not a pie, McFlurry or KFC)

Il Principe wrote:

You don't need bars. I prefer Mule Apple Strudel, but will only take them on rides of 40 miles or longer...

I got two of these in a multi pack, a real let down. Pina Colada, absolute revolation, I now have a new favourite. Else, most clif's are ok.

Mike_L

I agree that these are not essential - but I sometimes use them if I don't have time for breakfast.
I've found making my own is best way & you can adapt the recipe to include your favourite fruit or nuts

http://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/videos/sec-how-to/how-to-make-energy-bars-gcns-food-for-cycling/
is a good starting point.

Mike

surrey_commuter

t4tomo wrote:

thats similar to my commute, although my train bit is 20-25 mins.

I work on weetabix or museli before I set off and a shower and a cup of coffee when I get in.

never felttempted to have an energy bar when I gte to work, occasionally I might have a banana

Large bowl of cereal, 20 miles in, then a shower and double espresso... tub of pasta for lunch

Bizarrely when I get home I have the munchies and just eat straight from the fridge

MonkeyMonster

Interesting replies and thanks for the cross spectrum. So seems to be that few of you bother with the idea of energy replacement after cycling idea - which seems to be the current trend medically. You use caffeine instead - which for me isn't an option but also it's not going to replace the glycogen used up.

Each energy bar is a c. 250 calories which is a good amount to replace what I have just spent so losing weight with my *normal* diet and making sure I always have useable energy for the commute is what I was aiming for. Energy bars/power bars/breakfast bars/etc. perhaps my use of "energy" was inaccurate in that aspect - more just what is good for the job, easy to carry and organise etc.

Am v amused by the idea of too much money from some of you... jeez guys. But also my train fares are paid for so if I spend my money on my commute I can make it more comfortable and happier.

gbsahne001

2 rounds of toast sets me up for 20 miles in, followed by a bowl of porridge when I get in.

MonkeyMonster

gbsahne wrote:

2 rounds of toast sets me up for 20 miles in, followed by a bowl of porridge when I get in.

so given its a broken 12 miles, I have the breakfast on the train and then (the bar) for when I get into the office. So similar point. It's not about energy *for* the ride it's about enabling my body to recover the glycogen levels as efficiently as possible for the next entire journey later in the day/next morning.

dhope

MonkeyMonster wrote:

Interesting replies and thanks for the cross spectrum. So seems to be that few of you bother with the idea of energy replacement after cycling idea - which seems to be the current trend medically. You use caffeine instead - which for me isn't an option but also it's not going to replace the glycogen used up.

Each energy bar is a c. 250 calories which is a good amount to replace what I have just spent so losing weight with my *normal* diet and making sure I always have useable energy for the commute is what I was aiming for. Energy bars/power bars/breakfast bars/etc. perhaps my use of "energy" was inaccurate in that aspect - more just what is good for the job, easy to carry and organise etc.

Am v amused by the idea of too much money from some of you... jeez guys. But also my train fares are paid for so if I spend my money on my commute I can make it more comfortable and happier.

I'd go for energy bars if I needed to eat while cycling but for bike-train-bike I'd probably just take a banana to snack on for the train. I have cereal at about 10.30 after porridge at about 7.30. I'm all for replacing energy after the exercise, but my day is mostly spent sitting down so there's plenty of time for 2nd breakfast, lunch 1, lunch 2 and another snack to do that before I head home. It's not like weights at the gym where I'd eat soon after, I'm quite happy to get the food in over the next 8 hours.

The Rookie

In that distance you are only using circa 300 calories, it's really not going to have a big effect, slightly bigger breakfast or muesli bar when I get in, too much and you'll be adding more than you are using and get fat!

il_principe

MonkeyMonster wrote:

gbsahne wrote:

2 rounds of toast sets me up for 20 miles in, followed by a bowl of porridge when I get in.

so given its a broken 12 miles, I have the breakfast on the train and then (the bar) for when I get into the office. So similar point. It's not about energy *for* the ride it's about enabling my body to recover the glycogen levels as efficiently as possible for the next entire journey later in the day/next morning.

I'm just not convinced that a broken 12 miles is enough to warrant any concern re Glycogen levels. Just eat a normal breakfast. When I do pre-commute laps of RP I often do it pre-brekkie and then just eat normally at work, certainly never eat an energy bar .

elbowloh

I usually eat breakfast at work, so my 12 mile commute is done with no brekkie, nor snacks/energy bars....

CitizenLee

I do occasionally use energy bars on big MTB rides, but I don't think my short commute is long enough to warranty anything other than normal breakfast like fruit, cereal or toast, although now it's getting cold I do like a bacon roll once I get to work. I think of it as my version of Donkey & Carrot to motivate me to take the bike