Gels

[Trickydicky]

Which ones are any good? do they actualy work?

I was think of getting ones that increased fat burn, endurance. N maybe some tablets i could carry that i could put into water to put the electrolites and much need carbs back into my system on longer ride.

Can anyone recomend any?

Thanks

TD

 

[johnr]

I've tried a few and I like High 5 the best. Zipvit and Mule bars gels are thick and sickly for my taste also a bit hard to open whilst riding.

 

[johnr]

ps If you're on a 1 bottle ride: a can of coke, fill the rest of the bottle with water and add a pinch of salt. I think I got that from someone here. Does the trick.

 

[HLaB]

I've used zipvit ones and found they were good and seem to work but I've not splashed out for any for a while and I can't say there has been much of a drop in performance. I prefer some energy drink (its maybe physiological) but I find that more effective especially when I tried going back to plain water for a while. Water would get me there but just not as quick! I cant speak for fat burn though what is best.

 

[Globalti]

The problem with gels is that people drop the wrappers on the road.

In South Africa race organisers ask people not to do this because baboons dash into the road to pick them up, causing accidents and then drain the contents and go loopy.

 

[ChristinaJL]

I like the powerbar ride shots - the cola ones. They taste like sweets but have gel in them.

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

Banana and fudge energy bars for me

 

[stephec]

There's no right and wrong answer to this one, what works for one person might give someone else the trots, as I found out with a Zipvit recovery bar once!

SIS Smart gels are like rocket fuel to me, but the equivalent Powerbar stuff has ne effect.

It's really a case of trial and error, try a few different types and see which works best for you.

 

[rich87]

I use the SiS go gels. they're ok, but not sure about the taste. i have the blackcurrant flavour and they're actually quite weak, would prefer a stronger taste. they seem to do the job though.

I much prefer the cliff shot bloks. these are the only things where i've physically felt a massive boost a few minutes after eating it. have one just before going up a big climb, they're awesome.

 

[Clx1]

Torq Rhubard and custard gels, lovely taste and they do give you a boost.

 

[Russell Allen]

SIS gels and drink mix do the trick for me, on a long ride I take two bottles of SIS energy drink and enough gels for 1 per hour. I then have half a bottle of drink and 1 gel per hour. I have tried others but these are the best for me, giving me a lift within 5 minutes of consumtion. Get the food right on a sportive and it can really up your game. On anyting over 100km I generally stop to take on some solid food and top up my bottles. Like the others have said .....what works for one doesnt necessarily work for others. Try a few things and see. I think the rule of thumb is to take on 1g of carbohydrate per kg of body weight per hour to keep at best performance. You dont need anything for the first hour as your muscles are full of glycogen already (enough for an hour) If you go for a four hour ride and weigh 75kg you would need to take on about 3 x 75g of carb = 225g

You can ride on just water but you will be much slower after the first hour.

Russell

 

[Trickydicky]

The reason i ask is cos im planning on doin 130 miles in a day,
plan is 7.30 breakfast

8.00 am Start riding (Hopefule cover about 60 miles)
1.00 pm Stop for lunch
2.00 pm Start Riding (Hopfuly cover about 50 Miles
6.30 pm Stop for Dinner (there is a big hill at 110 miles)
7.45 pm Do last 20 miles in how ever long it takes me.

I was wonderin what every one thinks, this is possible?

My previous longest distance done was 50 miles in 3 hours 40.
Am gona try a 100 Km this weekend, some hills some flat.

There isnt much climin on the route i was planning, however will have done 42 miles the day before to get to my start point.
Was gona try and average filling up my bottles every 2 hours with water bought from a corner shop, and carry tablets that would increase the energy in the water.
N take 8 gels with me, take them roughly every hour.

Thanks

TD

 

[DrSquirrel]

I use the cheapest, and buy them in a batch. But I never bother for casual rides etc, I just get food down me - although if I am feeling weak at the end of a weak I might get an IsoGel down me before going home.


Currently I am using SIS PSP22 carb powder (plain, I mix my own apple barley with it), and IsoGel (forgot the brand Hi5), I have loads of samplers as well from wiggle and planetx. You can buy a High5 sampler for £5 online somewhere.


The IsoGels are thin and easy to get down, the Hi5 EnergyGel are a bit thick and hard to get down, but their Banana was LOVELY, like a banana yoghurt. I've also tried some Apple IsoStar stuff which was very hard to get down and sticky - ended up getting everywhere, and some "fat burn" tabs (free with my PX orders) that you dissolve in water that make the water fizzy, and tastes rancid!


Now I am TTing, I try to get a good meal down me throughout the day, and then 1 bottle of PSP22 and the IsoGel before hand - im trying not to get so anal into all this yet.



Get a good meal down you the day before - I think people do carb loading with big pasta dishes etc




How well they work, I don't know - im pretty sceptical so I don't dont instantly hark on about benefits, and I'm not so sure. Sticking with a pattern for my TT now, see how I go before I adjust it.

 

[PpPete]

Tried an SIS gel once, hated it, although I find the SIS Electrolyte drink one of the best.

Someone suggested Torq Banoffee with extra caffeine a while ago. Not seen them on sale anywhere until yesterday, so have now bought one and might give it a try in the closing stages of Sunday's ride.

 

[Globalti]

The reason i ask is cos im planning on doin 130 miles in a day,
plan is 7.30 breakfast

8.00 am Start riding (Hopefule cover about 60 miles)
1.00 pm Stop for lunch
2.00 pm Start Riding (Hopfuly cover about 50 Miles
6.30 pm Stop for Dinner (there is a big hill at 110 miles)
7.45 pm Do last 20 miles in how ever long it takes me.

I was wonderin what every one thinks, this is possible?

It's possible but you are going to chill down terribly on those long food stops. You would do better to keep moving and eat on the hoof or in more frequent, shorter stops, not allowing your muscles to cool down otherwise the re-start will be hell. Eating a big meal is also a no-no, it diverts blood to your stomach and gut and away from your lungs and legs.

On long rides you can keep moving with energy gels and powders, you will feel hungry by the end because your stomach will be empty and shrinking. A good stretch and then a meal with carbs and protein within half an hour of finishing is good because that's when your muscles are most ready to absorb and store glycogen.