Nutritional values

[Dave Carey]

Its funny after this whole thread I was saved by a gel this morning. Had flapjacks for most of my ride but got lost on a new route which meant the route was extended further than planned. Was so glad I brought a gel with me to get me home!

 

[Cuchilo]

Oh well this is just great !
I've just followed Mr H's flapjack tips as I was just about to take a roast chicken out of the oven . It seemed quick to do and it was . Even quicker to eat hot flapjack ! Now I don't feel like a roast dinner .
I did it with honey btw .

 

[wait4me]

Thanks for the explanation its all starting to make sense. So something like flapjacks made up mainly of oats and fruit which I think are complex carbs would be better than the gels/ bars. However it may be worth carrying a couple of gels with me just in case?

Just to give some background into my rides. At the moment I generally ride between 40-60 miles averaging around 17 mph if im on my own, a bit faster with others. I will gradually be increasing my mileage aiming to do 100 miles in August. On a 60 mile ride I will stop twice for a couple of minutes each time to eat, not because I need a break but as im not racing there is no need for me to eat whilst riding. This is why I have started looking at nutrition, I want to make sure I am adequately fueled as my mileage increases.

Never mind what your body needs. Just tell me what your diet is now!

 

[Dave Carey]

Does anyone know if there is a formula to work out how long it takes for different carbs to become ready to be used as energy?

 

[RussellZero]

Its funny after this whole thread I was saved by a gel this morning. Had flapjacks for most of my ride but got lost on a new route which meant the route was extended further than planned. Was so glad I brought a gel with me to get me home!

I'm pretty sure you would have made it without the gel as well ;-)

 

[Dave Carey]

I'm pretty sure you would have made it without the gel as well ;-)

Im not so sure, I felt like I had almost nothing left in my legs

 

[RussellZero]

Im not so sure, I felt like I had almost nothing left in my legs

Quite often thats just down to dehydration, did you drink plenty of water?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Carbohydrate is the high grade fuel for your muscles. Unfortunately your body can only store a limited amount of carbohydrate even High5 the company which produces your gell at choice makes no reccomendation at for the consumption of gels in non compeditive rides of 40-60 miles and they even state "BUT TAKE CARE! Research suggests that if you consume more than 60g per hour of the carbohydrates found in traditional* sport drinks, it will not be absorbed."

Sorry to say but unless you have an appealing diet I am of the same opinion as @RussellZero and you would have been fine. It sounds to me as if you have a comfort blanket in the gels. It is OK to suffer and part of cycling, we all have hard days. Have you discovered what happens if you do not take a gel?

“I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it’s not going to be satisfying.” — Greg Lemond

 

[Fab Foodie]

Another important point is that a lot of the gels are utterly vile. I prefer to eat something that I actually like.

Another important point is that gels don't fill your stomach.
Another important point is that an awful lot of bo11ocks is written about food, nutrition and sport
Another important point is that real FOOD is far nicer, better for you and widely available.

 

[Fab Foodie]

.... oh, and Dextrosol tablets do a pretty similar job for a fraction of the price and less packaging to litter the countryside with .... you can chuck 'em in your water bottle too ....

 

[Dave Carey]

Carbohydrate is the high grade fuel for your muscles. Unfortunately your body can only store a limited amount of carbohydrate even High5 the company which produces your gell at choice makes no reccomendation at for the consumption of gels in non compeditive rides of 40-60 miles and they even state "BUT TAKE CARE! Research suggests that if you consume more than 60g per hour of the carbohydrates found in traditional* sport drinks, it will not be absorbed."

Sorry to say but unless you have an appealing diet I am of the same opinion as @RussellZero and you would have been fine. It sounds to me as if you have a comfort blanket in the gels. It is OK to suffer and part of cycling, we all have hard days. Have you discovered what happens if you do not take a gel?

Its actually the first time its happened so I had no previous experience to go on. I have only had gels a handful of times as I did not know the benefit of them if any, hence this post. I went out on a tough hilly ride today and didnt use any gels and was fine so I cant say I disagree with you.