I would like to know what you guys and gals think of "energy bars and drinks. Or The before and after bars and drinks. As alot of you know I ride for my health and have been doing so since Jan 12 2004. I have just gotten to where I can ride 10 mile rides. But here in the South it is getting HOT and Humid. The other day I had trouble on my ride. I felt as though I couldnt go any further. But I kept on pedaling. :eek:
I was so thristy but had no water with me. The next day, I rode a shorter 6 mile ride and took along a bottle of water, but the water and riding made my rightside hurt or cramp. I read somewhere that there is a energy drink that helps with this problem. Anyone have any info? Thanks to all that reply. :)

I use the Gu energy gels... I don't know if these are specifically suppose dto prevent cramping, but I never had any cramps after I started using them. Also, you should hydrate really well before your ride. That will eliminate having to gulp tons of water while you're riding, which is usually teh cause of those kinds of cramps.

I don't like them, they bother my stomach and makes me feel queazy. I prefer good ole water. I carry 2 bottles and often stop to buy cold water if I see a store. I also prefer either a bagel or a tootsie roll. Power bars jsut don';t do it for me. BUT - I'd suggest you try a few and test them on yourself.

Ok Thanks. ;)

I tend to lose a lot of salt when I ride, whether in cold or hot weather (I do longish rides of 50 to 90 miles). That means when I'm dehydrated and my salt level is low, I easily get cramps and post-ride headaches. So I make sure I always have some way of replenishing the salt that I lose through sweating. I use "Eudurolytes" by E-Caps (http://www.e-caps.com/products/detail.cfm?div=Products&cat=Hammer&det=Endurolytes&sku=EL). They are a bit expensive, but you can probably get similar benefits by using sports drinks that contain sodium and potassium (and other minerals and vitamins) in it. Eating bananas before, during and/or after riding helps a lot because they have a good amount of potassium.

-Kevin

Rules for cycling:
1. Drink before you're thirsty.
2. Eat before you're hungry.
3. Rest before you're tired.

Don't just drink during the ride. Drink LOTS of water the day before you ride, the day of the ride, during the ride, and continue drinking after you get home.
Your body and muscles must be hydrated to perform well and to prevent cramps.

I don't bother with energy drinks and bars/gel unless I'm riding at leats 25 miles.
You should drink a 24 oz bottle of water about every 15 miles.

On long rides I carry Gatorade or Powerade in one water bottle and carry 1 or 2 Powergels.
In warm months on long rides (> 30 miles) I use my Camelback and carry 1 or 2 bottles of Gatorade or Powerade.

I tried all kinds of "powerbars" and didn't like any of them
So one day I saw a note on a muscle forum I read ocassionally describing one guys idea for his own recipe
I modified it a bit for me and find it works fine
Simple, inexpensive,easy to carry,(I carry them when I fly anywhere),a bit messy to make but.......
Oatmeal (not the instant type) uncooked
Honey
Hi-Protein powder
Peanut butter, the fresh ground stuff AND NOT JIF
mix the oatmeal and powder first then add honey and p-nut butter, this is where it gets a bit messy but I have found if I wear a pair of disposable latex gloves it works best by using hands to mix
The honey wll provide the "liquid" needed to get all things mixed and held together
I add nuts, and raisins sometimes cinnamon for flavors
Use a large flat nonstick pan and spread about 1/2" thick, I keep them in the fridge, and cut an wrap in waxed paper and take a bunch with me and eat as needed

Always take water on your rides. If your frame has braze-ons for two bottle cages, attach two cages and carry two water bottles. If you are cramping when you drink, you may be trying to drink too much water too quickly. Instead of chugging water, take a swallow or two every few minutes. Try to drink so that you run out of water right before you end your ride. Especially when it's hot and humid, you need lots of water.

On a 10 mile ride, you don't need energy bars, sports drink, etc. You can just take a bottle of water. Just drink a little at a time - don't chug it down - and you should be fine. You are not burning enough calories in 10 miles to be at risk of low blood sugar so do not need to take in calories. You are also not likely to sweat out enough salt to risk an electrolyte imbalance so do not need a sports drink.

However, if you like the taste of Gatorade, PowerAde, or whatever sports drink, you can certainly take it and enjoy. One benefit of sports drink is the flavor helps motivate people to drink more often so they stay hydrated better than with water. If this helps you, then go for it. But, if you are trying to lose weight, remember that the calories in the sports drink (about 80 per 12 oz serving) or energy bar (200 per bar) all count against the calories you burn on the ride.

FWIW: I read somewhere that cramps were caused by a lack of potassium. And bananas are loaded with it. But they also have a lot of sugar.

FWIW: I read somewhere that cramps were caused by a lack of potassium. And bananas are loaded with it. But they also have a lot of sugar.

Yes.. that is true of your standard muscle cramps (like when your calf muscle cramps up, or something like that).. more potassium usually leads to less cramping. The other cramping concern, when eating or drinking on a ride, are stomach cramps. I find that if I drink too fast, or eat something my stomach really doesnt like, while riding, I will tend to get stomach cramping, which definitely isn't potassium related. That is why I always try new foods on rides, when I am relatively close to home..

I like the GU gels as well. I can really notice an energy burst 10 min or so after consuming. I have read it is important to drink 4-6 oz of water at the same time or you don't get the same results.

Side cramps usually appear when you are in the early stages of "getting back into shape". My understanding is it is related to your breathing and your diaphram. Very common with runners. Regarding energy drinks and gels. I always drink gatorade on the bike, especially if it is hot or if I am going over 20 mi. (I tried accelerade but it bothered my stomach a lot) And I am sold on GU. On a typical ride I will consume one at 25, 45 & 60 miles. The effect is very noticable. I am going to try the "HammerGel" approach and load my second water bottle to see if the effect is as favorable.

I've been using the E-gels lately.. they taste good and seem to work... I've also started using Accellerade on longer rides... it seems to work as well, but the Fruit punch flavor tastes like vomit.... I've heard the Orange is better...

For 10 mile rides, I'd jsut use water, or maybe some Gatorade... it really isn;t that far, but in the heat and humidity of the south, you lose a lot of salts, electrolytes, and other vital stuff since you seat so much... Give it a try and see what happens..

jeff

i don't know anything about "energy" bars/drinks/goo/whathaveyou, but i like taking lots of fruit w/ me on rides. i usually put 2 handfulls of raisins in my back pocket and a banana. if there's a stop on the ride, i like to get an orange and peel it and put the slices in my back pocket for the rest of the ride. i like eating while riding. this way i continuously consume food, it tastes really good while riding, and i've never had a problem w/ lack of energy. usual rides are high intensity 30-60 milers. i like fruit, my stomache likes fruit, i don't like paying the big prices for "energy" products, so it just makes sense. maybe it would work for you? i drink water, for whatever that's worth.