Gels on a long ride

[endoman]

Today I did a fairly long ( 70 mile) 6000 feet of climbing ride. Quite warm, and I was putting in efforts up the hills. Had one power bar, 2 gels and a bottle of energy drink plus 2 bottles of water, before cafe stop at 50 miles. ( Refilled water bottle from moorland stream) then one gel and one water for the rest. That was plenty, but I have practiced how much I need over the winter, I know for 2 hours I can ride with no food intake etc.

 

[NicciT]

Today I did a fairly long ( 70 mile) 6000 feet of climbing ride. Quite warm, and I was putting in efforts up the hills. Had one power bar, 2 gels and a bottle of energy drink plus 2 bottles of water, before cafe stop at 50 miles. ( Refilled water bottle from moorland stream) then one gel and one water for the rest. That was plenty, but I have practiced how much I need over the winter, I know for 2 hours I can ride with no food intake etc.

I'm doing a 70-miler (not as much climbing) tomorrow so I will take a couple of gels and power bars but will take some bite size snacks and see how I get on - thanks

 

[endoman]

I did make sure I was loaded up with porridge before I started and had a sizeable chunk of cake and Ice Cream at Cafe :-) Better to have too much than not enough, it's taken me 2 years of fairly intensive cycling to work out how much I need. I've made mistakes along the way.

 

[billy1561]

I almost always end up bringing some gels home. Better too many than bonking.

 

[DCLane]

I use a mixture of things; mini Soreen malt loaves, small packets of dried pineapple plus I'll have a gel/energy bar on me but only as a back-up.

Usually I'll have one of the above every hour or so on a long ride (50+ miles) but if there's a stop planned I don't bother.

A good breakfast is important; porridge with raisins and jam for me an hour before I ride - fast, medium and slow energy release.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Flap jacks and spare gels. Don't want the dreaded bonk!

Shorter rides just eat before and make sure and take some water (or drink with electrolyte).

Really short rides - don't bother your back side. Hydrate before and after.

Sitting on the couch - make sure have a beer handy to reduce the likely hood of the shakes. Just me?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

@Fnaar 's going to be disappointed when he reads this thread.

 

[winjim]

I'm having a tooth out on friday so have stocked up on gels just in case I'm unable to eat proper food.

 

[Andy_G]

Personally i hate Gels, on a semi long ride 65miles/4hrs i find a flapjack and two Bidons enough for me.

 

[mattobrien]

I'm not a huge fan of gels but did have a couple during the last twenty miles of a 100 mile sportive last weekend.

If I can, I like to go at a reasonable pace, so gels can be quicker to get inside you then normal food and disrupt breathing / the general flow of things a little less.

I will be taking many with my on my hilly hundred this weekend. I'd rather bring them home than wish I'd had them...

Before the weekend just passed, I hadn't had any gels for over a year. Real food when convenient.

 

[tonyg52]

Gels and and ibuprofen can be dangerous in certain conditions
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-23900695

 

[Rob3rt]

 

[winjim]

Maybe I wont take ibuprofen for the aforementioned tooth then. Although I would suggest that that incident, although tragic, is probably statistically very unlikely to repeat itself.

 

[Rob3rt]

Maybe I wont take ibuprofen for the aforementioned tooth then. Although I would suggest that that incident, although tragic, is probably statistically very unlikely to repeat itself.

Not to mention the cause of death may as well have been said to be unknown, given that the statement issued basically says, "this guy died because of a combination of everything he was doing and/or consuming at the time".

 

[JoeyB]

I use gels for my local 100km loop. Last time round I managed it on one gel and a bottle of water with a bit of CNP Pro Hydrate added for good measure.