Fifty Plus (50+) - Eating GU energy gel during a ride

The energy gel packets, GU, or whatever brand, help me during a longer road ride, and especially on a century. However, handling the packets while riding are a problem for me.

I reach into a back pocket to pull out a packet. I use my teeth to tear off the top. I then must hold the top between my fingers so that I do not drop it. Then I squeeze out the contents into my mouth.

When complete I have a somewhat messy packet and the top to dispose of. I normally stuff them into anther back pocket for I do not want to liter the road.

The reaching for the packet, opening it with my teeth and the messy remains need to be handled better. What is a better plan?

but listen you can get energy gels with a screw cap maxim is one there very good.i can see how you would have problems .thr the screw cap .

Someone makes a "solid" form of energy gel. They're about the consistency of a real soft jujube and are much cleaner to handle.

I went through the same process. I now use the flask with Hammer Gel banana or raspberry flavor (don't like caffiene). You can pick up a flask about anywhere. Simply fill it before a ride. It has a pull up stopper (similiar to a water bottle) to minimize the mess. Tip-because the gel is so thick it can be slower to come out after you've taken a swig or two and there is more open space in the flask, keep the flask upside down in your jersey pocket while riding so the gel is down at the tip. Just make sure you've closed the stopper pretty good so it doesn't leak out while riding!

135205
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_167542_-1_201502_10000_201509

stop for 30 seconds and eat it. Carry a ziplock for the debris.

I went through the same process. I now use the flask with Hammer Gel banana or raspberry flavor (don't like caffiene). You can pick up a flask about anywhere. Simply fill it before a ride. It has a pull up stopper (similiar to a water bottle) to minimize the mess. Tip-because the gel is so thick it can be slower to come out after you've taken a swig or two and there is more open space in the flask, keep the flask upside down in your jersey pocket while riding so the gel is down at the tip. Just make sure you've closed the stopper pretty good so it doesn't leak out while riding!

Adding a little bit of water to thin the gel helps to make it flow better. Better to have the flask in a holder than your pocket for this as it will be more likely to leak if it is diluted.

+1 for the flask

just a bit on these jels going out of date ,one of the lads in our groop i seen him taking one that was three months out of date ,i asked was that not a bit on the dodgy side ,he said no it would be fine.this guy is one of the top pathologist in the country .there you go a bit of useless information .

I think many of the "best used by" dates are kind of like the "lather, rinse, repeat" directions on shampoo and the instructions to change the oil in you car every three months on the little sticker they place on your windshield. Best for the ones selling you the products, not necessarily best for you.

+1 on Ziplock bag for "squozed" gel debris.
+1 for stopping briefly to consume

Over here we have "Sell by" dates and "Use by" dates. Use by is well worth taking note off as the product could get contaminated. Gell in a sealed container with a use by date is for the benefit of the Manufacturer. Providing it is stored right then nothing can happen to the contents of a sealed container that would harm you.

At least one brand has a strip of the package that holds the ripped off piece to the main body if you don't have the coordination to manage the torn off bit. You guys soooo over complicate things. When you're done, roll top over a little, and stick under bottom edge of your bike shorts, just above your knee. Yeash...

And the little cubes, moons, etc. of gummy bear consistency gels work great too. You don't have to eat the contents of an entire package and you can use remainder on your next ride.

I hate to think of some of you folks eating a banana while your ride...."Maybe I could install a composter on my recumbent!".

^^:roflmao2:

I have never had any issue eating/using GU while riding. I just tear off the top with my teeth and squeeze from the bottom with the packet in my mouth. The issue I have is trying to eat a Powerbar, or similar type of food, while riding at an upper zone three HR. Every time I try I practically aspirate on it. :eek::eek: I suppose it just takes practice. :D

I use this and mix chocolate and raspberry gel in the flask 50/50. The full flask equals 5 packs of GU. Never a hassle to get the flask open and no packages to store in my jersey.

http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/hammer-flask.hf.html

+1 dedhed. Stop, eat and disposed. I use powerbars. Double chocolate latte. :) I also drink Accelerate on long rides.

The issue I have is trying to eat a Powerbar, or similar type of food, while riding at an upper zone three HR. Every time I try I practically aspirate on it. :eek::eek: I suppose it just takes practice. :D

Even pro racers wait for a less hectic part of the ride to eat.

Even pro racers wait for a less hectic part of the ride to eat.

Hmmm, and here I thought I was being hard core. :rolleyes::lol:

Ride with no hands?:D

Two interesting lines of thought are taken from this thread, for me. First: The flask seems to be a very good alternative to the individual packets of GU. I believe I will adapt that method. Second: There is a major difference of attitude toward a long ride in this group. There are the ones that take their time and will stop for whatever they need. Then there are those that want to keep a good time in a distance ride, so do everything on the move. It seems the "stopping" group does not understand the mentality of the "keep riding" group.

It seems the "stopping" group does not understand the mentality of the "keep riding" group.

We understand it. We just don't share it. :)

Two interesting lines of thought are taken from this thread, for me. First: The flask seems to be a very good alternative to the individual packets of GU. I believe I will adapt that method. Second: There is a major difference of attitude toward a long ride in this group. There are the ones that take their time and will stop for whatever they need. Then there are those that want to keep a good time in a distance ride, so do everything on the move. It seems the "stopping" group does not understand the mentality of the "keep riding" group.

One other idea-there is a really small bag that fastens by velcro on your top tube and behind the stem where small essentials can be stored. It's a perfect size (even the miniature versions) for flasks, gel packets (full and empty), etc. and can be easily reached while still moving.

Flask

Cyril

Ok, I willing to try a flask...what is everyone putting in it?

You could try something like ShotBloks that aren't gooey messes when you're refueling mid-ride.

Ok, I willing to try a flask...what is everyone putting in it?

Timely post. Try this if you like peanut butter:


I'm a bit too cheap to spend $1+ for a tiny packet of overly sweet stuff in a bio un degradable foil pouch (which I've see too many brethren heedlessly toss in the street) so I set out to find a recipe.

I came across a few recipes online and used them as inspiration for my own. Here it is. Please feel free to give it a try, and let me know if you have any improvements. I'll keep the recipe a bit "generic" so you can make as much or as little as you want at any given time.

3 parts natural honey (I like a dark honey)
3 parts natural peanut butter (Smucker's makes a nice one. Its the kind that you have to stir when you open it. Keeps the goo nice and fluid.
1 part dark molasses (cuts the sweetness)
1/16th part cinnamon more or less, to taste.
(You can add a little salt if you want. I carry electrolyte pills.)

Put all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Put the mixture in a squeeze bottle. Hammer makes a nice 5 oz squeeze bottle with a good size opening. I have 2. One for straight honey for short rides, and one for the goo when I need to "eat."

Refrigerate the left over stuff, and the bottles. There are no preservatives in this, so at the first sign of an off taste or smell, toss it and make new.

Someone makes a "solid" form of energy gel. They're about the consistency of a real soft jujube and are much cleaner to handle.
Yes. The GU Chomps.

Like several others above I use the flask and Hammer Gel. When you buy the 26oz bulk gel you can get a pretty decent price compared to the individual packets. I like it because there is no mess (as long as you close the flask before putting it in your jersey pocket) and with a little practice you can take a shot at any time. Riding by yourself you can always stop to eat, drink, take pictures, take a break. But when you are riding with a group it is good to be able to eat and drink on the move. Or else you are soon riding by yourself :) .

Mark