Energy drinks/powder
- Thread starter User
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Home made, buying ingredients in bulk from myprotein or similar.
GentlyBenevolent
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Wigan-ish
I've recently come to the end of some zipvit (orange) - not overly sweet, isn't as sticky as some other drinks and has powered a couple of centuries, but the flavour is a bit artificial and it doesn't dissolve completely so it had a very, very slight gritty texture.
I'm currently trying Torq as I was impressed with their gels (you can get a mixed box from them direct for a good price). The lemon and lime is pretty palatable, but they also do an unflavoured powder so you can vary the energy content without making it super-strongly flavoured. Only downside so far is that it's more sticky than the zipvit.
I chose both of them mainly because they don't contain artificial sweetners, which quite a few of the brands seem to have.
I'm currently trying Torq as I was impressed with their gels (you can get a mixed box from them direct for a good price). The lemon and lime is pretty palatable, but they also do an unflavoured powder so you can vary the energy content without making it super-strongly flavoured. Only downside so far is that it's more sticky than the zipvit.
I chose both of them mainly because they don't contain artificial sweetners, which quite a few of the brands seem to have.
mrandmrspoves
Middle aged bald git.
- Location
- Narfuk
Plain old squash for hydration while cycling. Frequent cafe coffee stops with slabs of cake for energy. (I am one of the few cyclists that gets less fit the further they ride)
To be honest, I use High 5 tabs if cycling more than about 20 miles,
To be honest, I use High 5 tabs if cycling more than about 20 miles,
ScotiaLass
Guru
- Location
- Middle Earth
I don't cycle that far (farthest so far is 33 miles) but I use water, sometimes a lower sugar energy drink if it's a hot day, (the others are far too sweet!) and always carry a cereal bar and dextrose/glucose tablets, incase I need a boost!
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
I recently bought a couple of high 5 race packs which ahd a bucket load of stuff as i needed some new bottles anyway , i would only use energy drinks on longer rides maybe 40-50 + , for anything less i like zero tabs.
w00hoo_kent
One of the 64K
- Location
- Maidstone or Greenwich
High 5 powders and tablets have been working for me. I've had various free stuff, and tried a couple of the multipack boxes which for some reason left me with an SIS tablet which turned out to be cola flavour and was foul. I tend to go for the citrus or berry flavours. Not sure I'd drink them if I wasn't on the bike though. At the moment I'm not studying the economics of it though, just buying and using.
For years I was obsessive with energy drink mixes and gels and I don't think there are many I haven't used at some point. This year ive ditched the lot and just take very weak regular squash and a pack of dextrose tablets, the latter being more of a phsycological aid. I have to say that apart from not spending a small fortune, ive not noticed even the slightest difference, even on very hot long rides. I'm not saying this works for everyone but ive no intention of going back to a cupboard full of sugar and additive laced, over priced gimmicks.
John the Canuck
..a long way from somewhere called Home..
- Location
- Strathaven, Lanarkshire
I use Sainsbury Blackcurrent squash [ 1L for £1] mix 1:10 then as above
= 20 bottles cheap cheap cheap
charley bradley
Regular
- Location
- bristol
find that sometimes just having water is better on training rides but during races and events then have one bottle of water one with energy drink.
Archie_tect
De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
- Location
- Northumberland
Mrs A_T told me that common salt helps prevent the cramps I get in my calf muscles after around 30 miles, so I add it to my squash bottle - seems to work so far.
Shut Up Legs
Down Under Member
High5 Zeros for me also. I used to drink Powerade, but then took a closer look at its list of ingredients.
srw
It's a bit more complicated than that...
I've now done a couple of rides using Nuun calorie-free isotonic tabs. Tentative conclusions - it makes it easier to take on liquid, and I don't need to take in as many calories as I think. Sunday I managed 68 miles (not flat) at a respectable speed on one sandwich, a handful of toasted corn, half a packet of peanuts, one muesli bar, a half-pint of OJ and soda and 1.5 litres of isotonic drink. I probably ate less than I usually do in a working day, and I felt better than I did after my previous long ride.
