Energy Sweets/Tablets or Drink

[stevetailor125]

So which do you prefer to use an energy drink or the sweet version. I brought some of the sweet type for my Monday commute but wondered which worked better

 

[pshore]

Nothing under 45 mins. Water only on the commute if I take a route 45 to 90 mins. Energy wise, breakfast and normal snacks at work are fine and are so much more satisfying than cals in powder form.

What kind of crazy commute are you doing ?

 

[Jim_Noir]

Nothing par breakfast or dinner for commute... on long cycle and long runs morrisons jelly babies and zero electrolyte tablets in the water... and an Irn bru after

 

[stevetailor125]

18 mile return 80% uphill and I hadn't cycled for 24years lol

 

[HLaB]

My old commute was 17.5 miles oneway mostly uphill too occasionally I used Torque drink more diluted than normal, I don't think I ever used energy bars and used water mostly. I had cycled commuted beforehand but that commute was only 0.75mile completely flat route but I did go on slightly longer rides beforehand.
Outside the realms of a commute, for me I find drinks work better maybe because drinks are more consistently going through my system, whereas food is good but it takes time to get into my system.

 

[Rouge Penguin]

Never used anything on my commute. Under an hour you only need water unless its mega hot and you've sweated loads.

Just eat a proper breakfast

 

[amaferanga]

18 mile return 80% uphill and I hadn't cycled for 24years lol

It can't be 80% uphill for a round trip - maybe it just seems like its all uphill

For 2 x 9 miles or even 1 x 18 miles there's absolutely no need to use any energy drinks or gels ever.

Gels should be used for emergencies and racing where there's no opportunity to get any proper food down. Too many cyclists are being fooled by all this marketing crap into thinking they will see some performance benefit from using gels or energy drinks even for short rides. The truth is all they probably do is stop them from losing as much weight.

FWIW I use energy drinks and gels for racing, but for all my training rides I drink water or fruit squash and eat muesli bars or soreen.

 

[Rouge Penguin]

Just to add, if you really need the energy try the poor (but healthy) lucazade.

Half water/half fresh orange, pinch of salt. But there's really no need for it for a 9 mile ride, unless its 10-15% for 6 miles.

 

[zacklaws]

For 2 x 9 miles or even 1 x 18 miles there's absolutely no need to use any energy drinks or gels ever.

Gels should be used for emergencies and racing where there's no opportunity to get any proper food down. Too many cyclists are being fooled by all this marketing crap into thinking they will see some performance benefit from using gels or energy drinks even for short rides. The truth is all they probably do is stop them from losing as much weight.

This information is spot on, too much crap published that you need this and that to perform. I myself have stopped using energy drinks and gels on all my rides and I have found that providing I have eaten well at home and not junk food, I can do hard hilly rides up to 80 miles on just water and electrolytes with no lack of performance. Before, any ride over an hour and I would use energy products, but I have now seen the light, on club rides, events, etc, I still use them as I do not want to become unstuck as I have no fuel in the tank. Weight loss is also improved as mentioned

On rides now I cover for the eventuallity of running out of steam by carrying a couple of gels and also energy drink powder, which I have discovered that those small plastic bottles that are now all the fashion for breakfast containing youghurt etc are ideal, actimil I think, one bottle holds exactly 65grms of energy drink which is the maximum I use in a bottle, so if I run out of steam, I just empty it into a water bottle.

In my experience, their is a fine line between being unfit and running out of energy, and its too easy to blame the wrong one.

No matter how much petrol you put in a fuel tank, it will not help a knackered engine go

 

[Fnaar]

I ain't not never used no energy gels etc... eat porridge before you go out on a ride (I do this for commutes too...17.5 miles each way) and for longer rides...50/50/juice + water/pinch of salt, banana or two, oat bar from Lidl or some malt loaf... Bob's your uncle.

And now and then a tea and bacon sarnie at a caff, but only really if I'm out riding with friends. Otherwise I tend not to bother.

 

[stevetailor125]

To be honest I think I'l stick to my bottle full of lemon drink and my mars bar at the top of the last hill

 

[the_mikey]

I went on a 20 mile spin last night and all I took with me for that was a high5 zero electrolyte tablet in my water, and a banana.