gapwedge

https://www.spiz.net/ I mixed up 500 calories of SPIZ in one of my water bottles for my recent first 50 miler. I have been trying to find a non-sweet energy drink with some protein in it. My training leading up to the 50 miler began August 1 and my average training speed for the 6 weeks leading up to the ride was just over 13.5 mph with my longest ride at 41 miles. My 50 mile ride consisted of more hills than I was used to climbing and we had a head wind on the return 25 miles. I finished with an average time of 16.4 mph and felt nearly as fresh as I had before it started. I only stopped one time at an aid station at the 25 mile mark and then only had 2 orange slices and a cup of gatorade. I drank the Spiz about every 10 miles. I have used GU and other gels as well as gatorade, but this stuff seemed to have done alot more to keep me going. Just curious if anyone else has used it.

Homeyba

I use spiz, it's great stuff. It's really an endurance fuel but it should work great for what you are doing. When you are on the bike you should consume between 250-350cal/hour. You need to experiment to see what works best for you. That may change as you get stronger and go further. Be very careful about eating too many calories, it will make you sick. Water works best with it but you can also drink something like Heed. Stay away from the Gatorade type drinks. They have simple sugars that are not so good for you. Gu's and Gels are not food and shouldn't be used as such. They are designed to give you a sudden boost of energy for a hill climb or sprint.

Congratulations on a great ride! Before you know it that 50 miler will be 100!

Jeff Wills

Several of my randoneering friends drink Spiz during their events. Here's one tale: https://www.ohpv.org/events/albums/alex508-2008/

gapwedge

Thanks. Yeah, I know it is for endurance type activities, but sure seemed to work well with me on my ride. I am also using it as a meal replacement except mixing it with skim milk rather than water. I was on the saddle for nearly 3 hours so I think 500 calories worked about right. Also seems to be good for recovery as well. Anyway, I will play with the amount of calories on various rides. Just finished my second month of 400+ miles and will try to get in a metric before the fall ends. Thanks for the feedback.

gapwedge

Here is what I like to read. His last sentence of the blog: "I may have hated it while I was doing it, but now I feel very happy for having done it and finished the race."

Sounded like one helluva ride.

Homeyba

His ride was a good example of what too many calories can do to you! The 508 is a great race. Keep after it Gapwedge and maybe we'll see you out there racing the 508 one day.

Mr. Beanz

You sure your preformance wasn't just hyped by being around other riders? I told you it would happen when you spoke of doing the 50, I said you'd easily do the metric with the motivating surroundings of an organized ride.

IMO that stuff is a waste of money unless you are going to do a long distance event. I used to think I need GU and other junk. Then I found that if I "eat a good breakfast", I can do 60 mile flat or 42 miles with 5,000 ft of climbing before I need anything other than water. I take a CLifbar but rarely need it.

Couple of years ago I did a 114 mile ride with 12,000 ft of climbing. I don't get anything out of GU type products. But that peanut butter and jelly sandwich sure do wonders! I'd rather have something solid in my tummy!

But maybe like Homey says, the better shape you are in the less you will need the stuff. Heck, I get out of bed and go do a hilly 30-40 without breakfast. Nuthin' but water. I guess I could go for some bacon and eggs but that would cut into my ride time

Homeyba

Beanz makes a great point here in that everyone is different and fuels that work for one person many not work well for another and as you get stronger and go further your requirements may change. One thing is definite though, if you've found something that works for you stick with it!!!!!! Even if it's a placebo, at least it's working and it definitely isn't bad for you.

Mr. Beanz

OK,.......... sausage, 2 eggs and two big fat pancakes!

Homeyba

Serve those up with a set of Mavic OP's and I think you've got a balanced meal!

Mr. Beanz

........ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

gapwedge

What can I say....you are superman Mr. Beanz.

gapwedge

My point is that I don't necessarily need the full 4 scoops (500 cal) on every ride. I will find the right portion as I go along. I like the ingredients and the fact whether it is placebo or not. I also use the stuff as a meal replacement so that is another reason I use it. Thanks for the encouragement Homeyba.

Homeyba

You're on the right track! Placebo problably wasn't the right term because Spiz has all the right ingredients to keep you on the road whether you're doing 50 miles or 500miles. It is a complete nutritional product, unlike gels and Gu's. I used Spiz on my first RAAM and still use it on unsupported long rides like double centuries up through 1200k's. On supported races where I have a follow vehicle I've been using Boost which is an Ensure type product. That works great too and you don't have to mix the powder. It's difficult to use on unsupported rides because it is so bulky.

Mr. Beanz

Don't be silly, silly!.......Geeze I take alot of guff here! Too many people mistake wisdom for arrogance. I once posted how drop bars were so much better as they had so many more postitions than a straight bar. OF course the Clyde crowd crucified me. Now you're over there in your other post praising drop bars!

Think about it, on the big easy rides like Solvang (10,000 riders), they give out free samples of Spitz. Why? Because they are advertising and trying to draw in the crowd of newbs that don't know better and are wiling to spend their money. Why are their testimonial links to the stuff? sales!

Did you watch the world championship roadrace last Sunday? What's in the feedbags that are passed out to the riders? Are there free samples of Spitz? NO, the bags contain turkey and jam sandwiches.

If you ever do a tough century, the restops are not filled with free samples of Spitz? No, they give you turkey and jam sandwiches! Are they trying to make a sale? No, they are trying to help the riders get through the tough ride!

When you start doing tough training rides and organized rides, you will find many riders carry a sandwich in their pockets. I have yet to find one carrying Spitz!

Someday you will thank me

Homeyba

Actually he does that because he is supporting the cause for that ride. He has supported that ride and its cause since the rides inception. I believe that is the only ride he does that for.

In races like the World Championships and Tour of California etc. the neutral support has whatever food the race organizer supplies. That is usually something that is universally acceptable to everyone. If they tried to supply each rider with their specific food of choice it would be a logistical nightmare. They don’t do it because PBJ’s are better than anything else. If a rider needs a specific fuel they send a domestic back to the team car and bring it up.

Again, you can do any ride or race on any fuel that works. The problem with “real” food is that when you put out an extreme effort for long periods of time it becomes very difficult for your digestive tract to digest food properly. This can cause many people to become ill while riding. What Beanz does is eat a really good meal before his rides and the digestion process is initiated and already in process by the time the ride is in full progress. This is fine for most people on rides of less than 60miles or so. Many people like Beanz have no problem eating “real” food to get them through the rest of a century either. What foods like Spiz, Sustained Energy and Perpetuem do is provide the nutrients and calories in an easily digestible form. They taste like crap but they are easily digestible. As the distances get longer this becomes even more of an issue. Back in my younger years I used to be able to eat anything on any ride with no problems. Not anymore. Nowadays I need a fuel like Spiz for longer rides or I will get sick. It’s as simple as that.
Food is like your seat. It’s a very individual thing. What works for one person will not necessarily work for someone else. If you find something that works for you, stick with it until it doesn’t work any more. Then try something else.

Mr. Beanz

Zactly! I can see on an ultra distance ride but for a 50 miler?

How old are you Homey? I thought we were about the same age. You say "in my younger years" like you're addicted to Geritol!

Homeyba

Yeah, 50 miles is a little short but if it works why not? It certainly isn't going to hurt.

I'm almost 50! Yeah, I'm an old fart It's not Geritol that I'm addicted to, it's Boost and Ensure! Geritol may be coming real soon though, thank you very much.

Mr. Beanz

Ah! I'm right behind you at 46......................and a half!

gapwedge

yeah, ok....