Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - what are gel's?

I saw the thread about gel flavors and realized, I have no idea what gels are. I know I could probably get a quick answer on a google search. But people often times have thoughts and opinions and suggestions to alternatives when you post a thread. On my longer bike rides, I usually take a nutrigrain or two with me if I need that quick pickup. But people keep talking about gel's what are gels?

Basically a huge CARB boost for energy. There are tons of manufacturers. You just have to find one you can actually stomach.

I eat a CLIF bar for my energy needs currently. But, I don't do long rides. YET!!!!!

Imagine taking a 32 oz Gatorade and boiling it down until it gets to be like a gel. Put it in a packet and there ya go :)

Gel's are normally packed with carbs, electrolytes, caffeine and sodium. Everything needed to extinguish an oncoming bonk.
The cliff gel's taste extremely sweet and I don't like them so much. I haven't tried the Hammer gel's yet as they are being reported as not being very sweet, but I rather go with solid and normal food on my centuries. But I do always carry two gel's with me for emergency situations when I need to finish the ride and I feel like a sack of potatoes.

I have some that came free in a shipment from Performance, though I've not tried them yet. They look like a cross between jello and gummy bears. They are cube shaped so the package looks like jelly dice in there.

I usually just munch on a Clif bar for energy.

I have some that came free in a shipment from Performance, though I've not tried them yet. They look like a cross between jello and gummy bears. They are cube shaped so the package looks like jelly dice in there.

I usually just munch on a Clif bar for energy.

I think those freebies from Performance are Clif Shot Blox. Better texture than the gels, IMO. Not quite that 'gloopy' feel of the gels. Shot Blox are a little more on the chewy side than Jell-O, kinda like Jell-O that got left out on the counter overnight.
For carrying stuff, I prefer the gels because I can fit more of them comfortably in my jersey pocket. I think I've choked down enough of them that I don't mind 'em so much any more. (Except for the Hammer Nutrition banana flavour, which I can't warn people about enough times.)

I have some that came free in a shipment from Performance, though I've not tried them yet. They look like a cross between jello and gummy bears. They are cube shaped so the package looks like jelly dice in there.

I usually just munch on a Clif bar for energy.

those are probably shot blocks, I actually like the shot blocks better than the gel's. I have a hard time getting the gels down but the shot blocks with water work great. The other thing I carry are Jelly Belly sports beans, they are great and actually taste good.

I have some that came free in a shipment from Performance, though I've not tried them yet. They look like a cross between jello and gummy bears. They are cube shaped so the package looks like jelly dice in there.

Reading your description, what comes to mind is "solyent green"!

They are basically a thick sugar syrup of one sort or another with a few extra added ingredients. You can get them with or without caffeine. They are around 100 to 125 calories each, delivered in a compact package that is easy to suck down while riding, and presumably biologically available in quick time. They are helpful when you start to run out of gas.

Gels are simply another delivery method for fuel. Use them wisely. I used to hate them, but have come to really like them on rides for their simplicity. Also, plain gels can dissolve in a water bottle with a PRopel single serve powder tube for a nice clean way to carry refills.

The jelly belly's are supposed to be quicker absorbing into the system. I haven't tried either one, I try to plan ahead with water and calories. But have a clif bar available just in case.

They also have a texture and taste similar to warm cake icing... anyone agree?

The jelly belly's are supposed to be quicker absorbing into the system. I haven't tried either one, I try to plan ahead with water and calories. But have a clif bar available just in case.

I've tried a wide range of anti-bonk products and I generally have a complaint about each and every one of them. Clif bars are like trying to eat a bowl of cereal without milk, gel caffeine gives me migraines, a whole whack of them have enough sugar to give an elephant insulin shock, and some taste like something that's been stuck to the sidewalk behind the carny tent (how's that for taste-bud imagery!). The only one that I have used that staves off bonking, tastes good and is oddly enough, good for you (are they allowed to do that now'days?) are the Sunrype Fruitsource Bars. The annoying thing is that I've only been able to find them in Canada. There was a variation I found here in SoCal but they had the cunning scheme of putting vegetable stuff in it which filled it with these plastic-like chunks of I have no idea what. I usually pick up a few multi-pack boxes when I go to Canada for the summer and bring them back here. Here is a link to Sunrype's website:

http://www.sunrype.com/viewproduct.php?line=9

I think there was a site that ships grocery items from Canada to wherever but I haven't used them in a couple years but they may still be around if you care to Google them.

I saw the thread about gel flavors and realized, I have no idea what gels are. I know I could probably get a quick answer on a google search. But people often times have thoughts and opinions and suggestions to alternatives when you post a thread. On my longer bike rides, I usually take a nutrigrain or two with me if I need that quick pickup. But people keep talking about gel's what are gels?

In my experience a good, if expensive, purgative.:eek:

I've tried a wide range of anti-bonk products and I generally have a complaint about each and every one of them. Clif bars are like trying to eat a bowl of cereal without milk,

Properly speaking, a Clif Bar isn't an "anti-bonk product". FYI.


The only one that I have used that staves off bonking, tastes good and is oddly enough, good for you (are they allowed to do that now'days?) are the Sunrype Fruitsource Bars.

Once again, that's not so much of an anti-bonking product. It's fuel, but gels are trying to do something different. They have a very specific use and IMO they do it well -- it's when people use them in the wrong situations or the wrong ways that they don't work well.

I have tried those things. I really think the Shot Blox work better for me. I have just gotten use to the gels though. The operative word is "use to". I dont seem to get a lot from them like I do the Shot Blox. I read that fig bars can give a fast blast of energy too. I like them.

Once again, that's not so much of an anti-bonking product. It's fuel, but gels are trying to do something different. They have a very specific use and IMO they do it well -- it's when people use them in the wrong situations or the wrong ways that they don't work well.

I understand your point. I was using 'anti-bonk' in reference to something someone said earlier in the thread. The main thing about the gels (at least the ones I've tried) is the cloying sweetness or just generally pooey taste. I'll stick to fruit or fruit bars since they both fuel me up and keep me from bonking. Nothing will keep me from boinking, however...

:rolleyes:

I've tried several gels---hate them all. They taste terrible! Maybe they could just do cake mix, it taste's better. I've tried PowerBars--worse than gels! Additional problem w/gels--when on the road, the wrapper gets sticky all over inside your jersey pockets :rolleyes:

Also tried Shot Blocks. They're good (except the margarita flavor--nasty). Also have tried the Jelly Belly Sport Beans. They're good, too. But VERY sweet. I think sweeter than regular jelly beans. Take 'em with water.

Right now, I stick to ClifBars as a bonk-preventative :) Get 'em at Trader Joe's for 99-cents each. I eat one every 20-miles on a ride.

I did not use any gels until this year, since all my rides were under 30 miles. Now most of my weekend rides are usually 40 miles or longer - I use gels and they help to continue ride beyond the point where you can get just by drinking plain water.
To start with I bought more than 10 different gel brands and flavors and tried them all. My favorite choice is Hammer and that's what I use now exclisively.

Bars are different story - I switch between Powerbar Oatmeal/Rasin and Cliff Blueberry.

Still , for rides less than 2 hours I just drink water and no extra nutrition. May eat a bar after the short ride if my next meal is several hours away.

I have tried the Jelly Belly orange flavor. I thought it to be pretty good, but I like an orange Tang kind of flavor. If you don't I wouldn't try them.

I normally use the protein bars instead of carb bars. I like the peanut butter chocolate the best, I am not sure of the brand but its at Wally World.

I like, and use, the Gu gels. The tri-berry and orange are pretty good. I always wash them down with water. They sure work on my 11 yr old son. After a ride he said, "These taste good". He'd eaten two gels. Didn't stop talking for an hour. :D

Zone?

They can cause occasional bouts of stomach upset if you are really pushing yourself.....be warned!:eek:

I have tried the Jelly Belly orange flavor. I thought it to be pretty good, but I like an orange Tang kind of flavor. If you don't I wouldn't try them.

I normally use the protein bars instead of carb bars. I like the peanut butter chocolate the best, I am not sure of the brand but its at Wally World.