Energy Gell

[koro]

Hi,

I have always been a little about gells...

Well today on my first go on my local cycling club spring challenge 50 mile, I used one. I had made all the beginer mistakes of starting off way to quick, even though I felt good. The route was hill after hill,halway round I blew up, remembered about the gell, got it down me with plenty of fluid. From that stage on, it was just about keeping my balance and maintaing a forward direction, lol. Then, wow, after about half an hour of having the gell, my legs started to spin freely, weird sensation.

My question is, I am now a convert, is how and when do you go about taking them? and is their a limit to how many you can have?

 

[addictfreak]

I generally take one when I feel the need. But I think its usually one every 20-30 minutes. Obviously it will depend on how hard your working.

 

[amaferanga]

They should be reserved for emergencies (e.g. when you run out of normal food or just don't eat enough and you feel a bonk starting to come on) and racing IMO. For normal riding (including sportives) you should be able to feed yourself with proper food - things like flapjack, bananas, etc. Hell of a lot cheaper as well.

You mention that you got plenty of fluid down you at the same time as taking the gel - maybe you were just dehydrated? Maybe you just got your second wind?

 

[koro]

Thanks for your replys....

I had drunk plenty of fluid all arund the course, just used more to wash the gell down. Will take more to eat though.

I was thinking of taking a gell at the begining and every 20 mins. For me I do put more effort in than I`m fit for...

 

[iAmiAdam]

I only use gels for racing, far too expensive for all the training, intervals are an exception.

Using carb drinks powders are far cheaper and just as effective over a long period.

 

[koro]

I only use gels for racing, far too expensive for all the training, intervals are an exception.

Using carb drinks powders are far cheaper and just as effective over a long period.

Ok, I`ll give them a go.... any particular ones that taste ok to?

 

[iAmiAdam]

Ok, I`ll give them a go.... any particular ones that taste ok to?

I've only ever used SIS stuff, disgusting at first but you get used to it when you really need it.

 

[kevcampbell]

i say avoid gels

there are natural alternatives, raisins is one http://kevincampbellsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/food-friday-raisins.html

 

[HLaB]

I sometimes use gels on Sportives but I don't really see a good cost to benefit ratio. I tend to have a cereal bar or energy bar or banana every 20 miles or so and save the gel for the last 15miles. On my own rides I don't bother with energy bars or gels at all, banana are just as effective when you are not looking for that extra 0.1%.

 

[koro]

I sometimes use gels on Sportives but I don't really see a good cost to benefit ratio. I tend to have a cereal bar or energy bar or banana every 20 miles or so and save the gel for the last 15miles. On my own rides I don't bother with energy bars or gels at all, banana are just as effective when you are not looking for that extra 0.1%.

I struggle eating the cereal bars whilst puffin and panting. The gell was quickly swallowed down, will have a try of the SIS drinks, hopefully like the taste.

 

[zizou]

I like them for emergencies, they are very effective at giving a quick boost when flagging.

I tend to go for whatever is on offer, the torq ones are probably the nicest.

 

[lukesdad]

Half an hour.......It wasn t the gel then. Id say dehydration.

 

[buddha]

Fig Rolls, Jaffa Cakes and bananas.
I also recently discovered that an old water bottle/bidon with the top cut off makes an excellent on-the-bike jaffa cake holder!

 

[koro]

Half an hour.......It wasn t the gel then. Id say dehydration.

Hi,

How quickly does a gell take to work then, longer than 20 mins or shorter?

With dehydration, would the body kick back in as it it did without the gell?

Cheers

 

[kevcampbell]

so anybody else like the raisins? or do you all not like the natural options?