Gels, bars and shot blocks

DonDaddyD

So, as you all know I'm getting back into the World of cycling and it seems things have moved on a bit in the nutrition department - more options I mean.

When doing sportives or long rides, what nutritional combinations do you use, why?

DonDaddyD

For the London - Surrey bike ride, I'm thinking of taking a 2 - 3 cliff bars and a 2 - 3 high energy shot blocks, thoughts?

rubertoe

You could do that.

or you could take a bit of pork pie, some soreen and nutella sandwiches and a bit of flap jack.

dhope

They've really not moved on much. Take a gel or a peanut butter and jam roll.

I take food ideally rather than gels. Because it tastes better, but it doesn't really matter.

essex-commuter

Can't remember 100% but I'm sure the London 100 has plenty of stops that have food including gels that you can take. Unless you're not planning of stopping of course. I rode non-stop the first time, 2nd time (the one with rain of biblical proportions) I done it with 2 colleagues who wanted stops...I'm sure there was grub. Fig rolls, I remember fig rolls.

elbowloh

Yeah PB sandwiches and flapjacks are still good.

Don't like gels, but some of those chews (shot blocks, power bar gels and stingers are all good) are useful for topping up on the fly.

Anonymous

Can a mod please merge DDD's narcissistic threads about his road to the RL100 into one? It does make for tragic reading all over commuting chat.

DonDaddyD

coriordan wrote:

Can a mod please merge DDD's narcissistic threads about his road to the RL100 into one? It does make for tragic reading all over commuting chat.

Shock horror, person uses cycling themed forum to talk about cycling related topics.

Your post is completely unnecessary and a clear example of why the forum has slowed and people have turned away from the site. It's more productive to contribute by making threads than to complain about other people using the website as intended. You chose to open my thread, you chose to read it. Of my two threads in this section (out of 20 maybe :roll: ) if you know you're not going to like it why not read or create something else instead of being rude and obnoxious?

Used to e the case you could ask a question on here...

Anonymous

Read the first one, was nice enough. Why not build on that one? "DDD's long road to RL100" or something.

This is not a buying advice forum, nor are you are a beginner. You've been around here long enough to know where things go and frankly, to write about riding your bike as if you've never ventured too far from your front door is a bit tragic.

dhope wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

This is how I enjoy my hobby.

I'd imagine your post count is higher than miles covered

Your hobby is posting to Bikeradar; cycling comes second

markhewitt1978

Porridge pot for breakfast and cereal bars during the ride usually do the job for me.

DonDaddyD

coriordan wrote:

Read the first one, was nice enough. Why not build on that one? "DDD's long road to RL100" or something.

This is not a buying advice forum, nor are you are a beginner. You've been around here long enough to know where things go and frankly, to write about riding your bike as if you've never ventured too far from your front door is a bit tragic.

To be honest I struggle to understand what your issue is and why my two threads (three if you count wheels) bother you so much. It's hardly as if this section is bustling with activity, but then with posts like yours it is easy to understand why the community died.

Should I apologise for using your forum? Or for not posting in the correct way? Is this a territorial thing? It is territorial isn't it? No, I know! Did you make a thread and mine got more replies so you're jealous. It's that isn't it? How pathetic.

I mean honestly, why would a grown man take such umbrage and reduce himself to bell-end status because another grown man asked "what gels do you use" on a cycling forum.

Good luck, I really mean that.

DonDaddyD

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Porridge pot for breakfast and cereal bars during the ride usually do the job for me.

This works. I could get the with to make her cereal bars. The only thing I hate about sandwiches and homemade bars in general is the packaging doesn't make for easy opening mid ride and them either fall/break apart in the jersey pockets. This is why I liked cliff bars - and the taste of the oatmeal ones - snip the top of the pack and you get easy access.

I have to be honest, I've seen new products from cliff, SIS, Wiggle are doing there ow stuff and I was hoping for views on those. I'm also seeing a lot of smaller, high caffine, energy boosters stuff that wasn't on the market, oh say, 3 years ago - any comments?

Anonymous

Not really sure tbh. What's more pathetic? You clogging up the forum writing about it or me picking you up on it. You do have a history for making yourself the centre of attention with your threads.

Good luck at RL100. If you plan on using gels, get used to them as they can give you a funny tummy if you've not been training with them. I use a mix of 'chewy' type cereal bars, whatever is on offer in the supermarket. If you get something too 'crispy', they disintegrate into sawdust in your mouth when you bite and choke you (Nature's Valley is a brand which springs to mind)

Unless you're racing, I can't see the need for specialist type stuff. Maybe a gel just before the last hill? If you're eating properly it is unlikely you'll need one.

markhewitt1978

I guess they're better if you need a lot of energy right now to climb up that big massive hill or to pick you up if you're close to bonking. But I tend to stop for a rest every 20-30 minutes anyway so take a bike of cereal bar at the same time.

This is what I had in my back pocket yesterday http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/ ... =266909394

Anonymous

A fine choice mark, except I prefer the chocolate ones to the digestive ones (but I am addicted to chocolate).

These are good as the yoghurt has a bit of sugar which gives you a kick
https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/E ... oCh6jw_wcB

also Crunchy Nut cereal bars - cereal, chocolate, nuts etc

any flapjack type ones. Also take home made brownies. You are majorly over thinking this

DonDaddyD

coriordan wrote:

Not really sure tbh. What's more pathetic? You clogging up the forum writing about it or me picking you up on it. You do have a history for making yourself the centre of attention with your threads.

Oh I see, we had an online altercation before and it left you scarred, you can't forget about it and your using this as an opportunity to get revenge. Do you wake up in the middle of night, frozen and sweaty, screaming DDD? Do you ride to work and dream that the bronzed Adonis that scalped you was me? Do you catch yourself calling your wife DonDaddyD as you make love to her? Admit it, during the deed you close your eyes and see my face.

Seriously, I'm asking, there are 30 threads on each page of the the commuting chat section. 3 on the first page are mine. I refuse to believe that 1% of a page equates to clogging up the forum. It's got to be something more - I'm sorry for your DDD obsession.

There, I've said it now can we move on?

coriordan wrote:

Good luck at RL100. If you plan on using gels, get used to them as they can give you a funny tummy if you've not been training with them. I use a mix of 'chewy' type cereal bars, whatever is on offer in the supermarket. If you get something too 'crispy', they disintegrate into sawdust in your mouth when you bite and choke you (Nature's Valley is a brand which springs to mind)

Unless you're racing, I can't see the need for specialist type stuff. Maybe a gel just before the last hill? If you're eating properly it is unlikely you'll need one.

Now that's better, thanks for the advice.

DonDaddyD

markhewitt1978 wrote:

I guess they're better if you need a lot of energy right now to climb up that big massive hill or to pick you up if you're close to bonking. But I tend to stop for a rest every 20-30 minutes anyway so take a bike of cereal bar at the same time.

This is what I had in my back pocket yesterday http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/ ... =266909394

coriordan wrote:

A fine choice mark, except I prefer the chocolate ones to the digestive ones (but I am addicted to chocolate).

These are good as the yoghurt has a bit of sugar which gives you a kick
https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/E ... oCh6jw_wcB

also Crunchy Nut cereal bars - cereal, chocolate, nuts etc

any flapjack type ones. Also take home made brownies. You are majorly over thinking this

Those do look yummy. Thanks, will give them a go on the weekends ride.

Medders

DonDaddyD wrote:

coriordan wrote:

Read the first one, was nice enough. Why not build on that one? "DDD's long road to RL100" or something.

This is not a buying advice forum, nor are you are a beginner. You've been around here long enough to know where things go and frankly, to write about riding your bike as if you've never ventured too far from your front door is a bit tragic.

To be honest I struggle to understand what your issue is and why my two threads (three if you count wheels) bother you so much. It's hardly as if this section is bustling with activity, but then with posts like yours it is easy to understand why the community died.

Should I apologise for using your forum? Or for not posting in the correct way? Is this a territorial thing? It is territorial isn't it? No, I know! Did you make a thread and mine got more replies so you're jealous. It's that isn't it? How pathetic.

I mean honestly, why would a grown man take such umbrage and reduce himself to bell-end status because another grown man asked "what gels do you use" on a cycling forum.

Good luck, I really mean that.

Stick with it DDD - as a reader rather than a contributor your posts/threads are always welcome. Especially given the relative quiet of this forum since the slow departure of the more colourful contributors.

On topic - the best way is to try out different types of fuelling in your training rides so by the time of the 100 you know what works for you. I too advocate proper food where possible - supplemented by a couple of gels if necessary. I found gels/blocks/bars alone (or too many of them) make my digestive system rather unhappy.

pblakeney

DonDaddyD wrote:

I'm also seeing a lot of smaller, high caffine, energy boosters stuff that wasn't on the market, oh say, 3 years ago - any comments?

First steps in a grey area to doping.
They are performance enhancing after all.

apreading

You have paid good money to do a sportive and have access to their feed stations. Eat the food you have paid for - only take maybe one emergency snack bar and one gel if you are desparate to take something. Take a couple of bags if you want and fill up with jelly babies or whatever they have at the first stop.

veronese68

DonDaddyD wrote:

Seriously, I'm asking, there are 30 threads on each page of the the commuting chat section. 3 on the first page are mine. I refuse to believe that 1% of a page equates to clogging up the forum.

That's 10%.
Regarding food I go for flapjacks in the little blocks you get in a tub and stick them in a sandwich bag the goes in a jersey pocket. Easy to reach back and grab one on the fly and they taste good. Gels are foul. And some of the powder stuff in a drinks bottle, the other plain water.

greg66_tri_v2.0

For me, slow release/hIgh GI index stuff is the way to go - Clif bars (plenty of sugar for immediate kick and high in oats for slower release) work really well. On a hot day I will use an electrolyte drink rather than water. Can't stand gels (a) because I end up with gel all over my fingers; (b) because I find them a bit "instant hit followed by sugar crash; (c) because I really don't care for sucking down something of that consistency. Even if it has a fruit flavour.

Key thing is to try a few on preparation rides and find out what works for you and doesn't give you cramps.

Some people like to stop on a long ride. I don't. Nor do I like to try new and exciting foods for the first time on a long ride. So I tend to avoid event feed stations. Although I will stop for water if I have to, and mix it with a pre-measured amount of electrolyte powder (Ziploc bags are great for this) to make a new bottle.

itboffin

I'm with greg on the bring your own approach for long events, aside from a couple of cans of coke and a few bananas I did the entire 312 with 2 x high five powders to start and 10 x high five gels oh and a fair few bottles of water.

Plus no breakfast because we got up at 4:30 am or something stupid and my body refuses solids until at least 8am.

I have my Garmin set to beep every 3 miles to remind me to drink and too eat something every 20 miles. Not easy when its boiling hot and you're climbing a mountain for 30+ miles whilst weaving past erratic riders stopping slowing or just generally doing stupid things.

Sportives eh what a laugh

msmancunia

Don't do fitness food because I usually don't like the taste, and can't stand gels, so depending on the distance I take flapjack, jam sandwich, and little blocks of marzipan. Drinks - can force down a High 5 if I'm on a very long ride but usually just one bottle of water and one of full sugar Vimto.

MisterMuncher

Bananas, Veda and High 5 Zero should see you right. Train your liquid-only distance. If you can go 50 with only water/drink, you'll mince 100 with a few nanas. Fig rolls are great, too.

R4skob

I normally go with some form of electrolyte drink, highly rate skratch labs (not sure if you can get it in the UK, my brother lives in the states so I get him to bring a bag over occasionally).

Food wise its almost always Soreen malt loaf, find cereal bars a litttle dry at times

rick_chasey

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

(c) because I really don't care for sucking down something of that consistency. Even if it has a fruit flavour.

Sure you don't greg

tgotb

MisterMuncher wrote:

Train your liquid-only distance. If you can go 50 with only water/drink, you'll mince 100 with a few nanas.

^ This. Much of this obsession with gels and other specialist products is marketing-led; the blurb on most gel wrappers seems to say you need several an hour - I wonder why it would say that? I see people munching gels at the traffic lights on the way to work and despair.

There's a time and a place for gels - it can be handy to have a couple up your skinsuit leg in a long race for instance, and I know some mountaineers use them in lieu of real food because of the high energy density. For everything else, the human body has evolved to consume proper food; if you exist quite happily from one day to the next on a diet of fairly normal food, why do you suddenly need a load of synthetic goo to get you through a 100 mile trundle round the Surrey Hills?

A while ago I was talking to a guy who's very successful in long distance time trials - 100 miles, 12hr, 24hr etc. When he goes for a long (all day) training ride he eats very little beforehand and takes nothing more than electrolyte drink with him. As a result his body is very efficient at burning fat.

ddraver

Wiggle and a few others do Skratch labs but it's commonly out of stock

Gels are good for an instant hit. You dont NEED them unless your racing but if you re not used to riding 100miles I'd take some for an emergency hit at the end.

Bear in mind that they re only intended to last 10-20 mins so if they re the basis of your eating then you need to keep eating them which most people would struggle with. Torq gels are the least objectionable I ve tried (and usually they have a taster set up in the shop). 3 Shot blocks = 1 gel and you need a hit of water after them. Bear in mind that, in a lab, the shot blocks take slightly longer to kick in

pblakeney

It is a 100 mile pootle.
25 miles - cafe.
50 miles - lunch.
75 miles - cafe.

Sorted. Unless you are racing, I which case you should know what you are doing anyway.

imatfaal

I always carry a gel in case I take a tumble but want to carry on. I find I get a bit cold and shaky a few minutes after I have hit the tarmac - a quick sugar hit takes care of that. Eating is the last thing I want to do - but a torq gel is comforting, a nice taste, and gets me back to feeling like riding.