Good Energy Drink for 100 miler

kingrollo

Never had much time for these energy drinks, my (perhaps ill informed) opinion was that they are an expensive way to rot your teeth !

Ive been building up my mileage slowly since April after getting over an injury. I can do a fairly hilly 50 without 2 many problems fuelling by drinking only orange squash !

Any way I've signed up for 100 miler next month - and was wondering if anyone could recommend a cheapish energy drink - or other diy mix up - !

I have don't a 100 for ages - and its likely to be quite warm - any other nutrition tips welcome !

shamrock134

Normally I just use high5 or SiS energy powders. I'm considering trying flat coke on my next long ride as an experiment.

lakesluddite

You need carbs - where you get them from is your own choice, but if you don't like carb drinks, then just eat plenty (you should be doing this anyway). You can them probably get away with good ol' H2O, but in warmer weather I'd advise using the electrolyte tablets to try and stave off the cramp. They don't have sugars in them, so you can stick a few in the bottles then carry some more for when you refill.
I did a big sportive at the beginning of May, when the heatwave hit, and my biggest regret was not carrying any spares as I did cramp up after about 100miles.

Not sure how true this is btw, but I did hear that sugary drinks aren't actually that bad for the teeth, as it all goes down the throat and doesn't stick to the teeth - the worst things for teeth are things that stick and get lodged (crisps etc). I think I saw this on QI, so it must be true!

singleton

I've tried a few drinks and I find that high5 citrus flavour is the nicest and easiest on my stomach.

My fuelling would be this along with an occasional bite of some more solid food - fig rolls, energy bars etc.

fenix

Have water if you want and nibble on something on the way round. There's no need to have energy drink at all.

kingrollo

I like bananas - are they any good ?

If I stop at a shop - i generally have a milk shake rather than an energy drink - it makes me feel better - not sure why...!

keef66

kingrollo wrote:

I like bananas - are they any good ?

If I stop at a shop - i generally have a milk shake rather than an energy drink - it makes me feel better - not sure why...!

Both excellent choices. The banana has slow release carbs and potassium, and a milkshake has sugar, fat and protein as well as a few minerals and vitamins.

Eat and drink what you enjoy and stick to things that work for you on the bike.

Anonymous

Fenix wrote:

Have water if you want and nibble on something on the way round. There's no need to have energy drink at all.

Energy drinks are not a necessity but I prefer to take on carbs through a drink as I find it hard to eat much when riding. Most energy foods just become unpalatable to me. I eat small amounts of things like soreen or flapjack but I cant take in much on a longer ride. A strong energy drink is easier to take on while riding.

slowmart

Jelly babies, banana's, malt loaf, cereal bars and dependant upon the weather and temperature some salt and minerals to replace those lost during sweating but try different combinations to see what suits you best.

Eat a little and often and aim for 45-60 mins between snacks which is nearly as important as what you eat. It really is.

I'd favour a couple of gels but that's down to personal preference and how much solid food you want to carry.


Of course if you're on your chinstrap in 27degree heat with 102 miles in your legs and another 20 to go and you're an hour later than you told your mrs which makes it two hours later than the note you left her in the morning a mars bar is known to refresh those tired legs and clear your head. The trick is to get home before the sugar rush diminishes.

Best Wishes for the century and don't forget to enjoy the ride!

BTW the link below is to some home made energy drinks

http://dailyburn.com/life/recipes/homem ... k-recipes/

Smeagolses

I use Allsports Winter Training Formula.

Camcycle1974

kingrollo wrote:

Never had much time for these energy drinks, my (perhaps ill informed) opinion was that they are an expensive way to rot your teeth !

Ive been building up my mileage slowly since April after getting over an injury. I can do a fairly hilly 50 without 2 many problems fuelling by drinking only orange squash !

Any way I've signed up for 100 miler next month - and was wondering if anyone could recommend a cheapish energy drink - or other diy mix up - !

I have don't a 100 for ages - and its likely to be quite warm - any other nutrition tips welcome !

Fruit juice mixed with glucose/fructose mixed in a 2:1 ratio. Both can be bought from your local health food shop. A lot cheaper than buying the same thing from a nutrition company. I have one bottle made up with this and one with water to wash it down with.

mrfpb

Milk is good for rehydreation - right balance of natural sugars and salts plus a little protien, hence the milkshakes work for you.

1 litre of water + 3 tsp sugar + 1 tsp salt + a little squash or fruit juice to flavour is the basis of most isotonic drinks. Adjust proportions to fit your size of bottle.

step83

Energy drink id stick with what you know, maybe adding a little more salt to it.
Main thing on longer rides is the solid fuel like people have said. 100 milers I generally have what I call the cake bag, its a stem bag with various nibbles from malt loaf bars, fig rolls, half cookies an jellie babies.
Also worth taking a couple of spare hydro tabs with you incase you empty a bottle you can add water then don't a tab in as well.

mfin

As said above, take some High5 or Nuun Tablets for Electrolytes, or make sure the drink you choose has Electrolytes in it. These kind of Tablets contain no carbs (energy), but the salts will help against cramp. Cramp isn't funny and happens to plenty of people who are pushing their limits.

whoof

Next month isn't very far away as you will need to test how you get on with anything new. Best try anything on a longish weekend ride.

Every one is different. Personally I find energy drinks and gels sickly. Last Sunday I did 90 miles on 1.5 litres of water, a pot of tea and 200 ml of orange juice. Food wise I went for one banana plus a burger & 1/2 a portion of chips. Not recommending this for you it's just that everyone's digestion system is different.

paul2718

I stick some maltodextrin powder into water. Seems to work and very cheap compared to 'energy drink', for example, http://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutriti ... 30114.html

You can dress it up with flavourings and other additives, a pinch of electrolyte powder for long rides in the heat. But just plain seems OK to me.

Paul

Anonymous

TBH if you intend doing 100 miles in July you are going to get through more than 2 water bottles. I would even suggest 2 isnt enough for 50 miles. So unless you intend carrying extra energy drink mix it will end up being whatever you can get your hands on on the day. If you are going to have your own support vehicle then fine you can have loads made up of ready but chances are its going to be the first thing you can get down your neck when you are thirsty.

The Rookie

Agreed, I did an 85miler at the weekend in 33C (not in the UK) and got through nearly 5 litres.

A tri bottle mount on the back of the saddle to double up to 4 bottles is an option.

Or just stop at a pub and hydrate/carb load in one go!

ddraver

When I use them, (rare) I like the SIS energy drinks but I'm becoming more of a fan of the Protein/Carb drinks for long rides (or in my case 24hr MTB type things).

If it's a sportive with feed zones though you won't need much else.

rnath

Ribena with a good pinch of sea salt works for me. Food wise I get on well with Jelly Babies and Nature Valley Oat & Honey cereal bars. Cheap, effective and... I happen to really like Jelly Babies...

SME

This is an interesting article...

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle ... ah-runners

davep1

Slowmart wrote:

...Of course if you're on your chinstrap in 27degree heat with 102 miles in your legs and another 20 to go and you're an hour later than you told your mrs which makes it two hours later than the note you left her in the morning a mars bar is known to refresh those tired legs and clear your head. The trick is to get home before the sugar rush diminishes.../

Christ, are you living my life!? Love that paragraph! :P

I'd also recommend coca-cola at that point. Or even just stop at a pub and have a pint and cheesy chips. I like jelly beans rather than babies (babies are too sickly, even I, with the sweetest tooth ever, have to stop after about 4 jelly babies. Any other sweet I can eat packets and packets of.) Fig rolls. Jam sarnies.