Gels vs bars?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,331
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Gels vs bars?
Which do you prefer? I never actually eaten anything on my ride but now I am focusing on 30-40mile rides and I think that I should consider eating something from hour to hour. Bars seem annoying to consume so I probably will look into gels. What gels do you guys recommend?
#2
proud of his bunny
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: UCSC
Posts: 885
Bikes: 2006 Masi Gran Corsa Premio custom build: Full 105, Easton EC70 fork, Easton Circuit Wheelset // 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper (stock for now)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
gels are gross but they dont dehydrate me as much. i race w. gels and otherwise ride with bars. meh to either.
clif has gels with a wee bit of caffeine. i like those i guess. they're still gross as hell. but what are you gonna do?
clif has gels with a wee bit of caffeine. i like those i guess. they're still gross as hell. but what are you gonna do?
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Coquitlam
Posts: 2,538
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
30-40 mile rides are only about 2 hours long. take 2 water bottles and carry a gell for an emergency, but at that duration you dont need anything more than water.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
+1
Also, I prefer hammer nutrition's gels. Specifically apple cinnamon. Their gels actually taste good. IMHO
I still like cliff bars for energy bars. Their special flavors are yummy. Chocolate brownie, carrot cake, and on and on.
#6
Banned.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 3,061
Bikes: Homebuilt steel
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2193 Post(s)
Liked 425 Times
in
337 Posts
A gel is a good idea for rides past the one hour point. Energy bars are more substantial food and better if your rides exceed two hours.
My personal preference is to carry an energy drink instead of gel - less messy on the road.
My personal preference is to carry an energy drink instead of gel - less messy on the road.
#7
Senior Member
You might want to check out Clif Shot Blocks, if you haven't already. They are easily chewed and don't leave your hands all sticky. Most of the flavors are acceptable.
I overdosed on Power Gels on the Seattle to Portland a couple years ago and can barely even look at them now.
I overdosed on Power Gels on the Seattle to Portland a couple years ago and can barely even look at them now.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 526
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I take along some Gu Gel packs but found myself alternating with Jelly Belly Sport Beans instead of the gels on some of my rides. Not only do the Sport Beans have the necessary carbs for energy, but it also has electrolytes and are less messy to eat. In terms of hydration, I carry two 24oz bottles of water with one of them having two Motortabs tablets dissolved in it.
#9
Batüwü Creakcreak
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The illadelph
Posts: 20,791
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 229 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
160 Posts
I'll either eat a pb&j sandwich before I go out, or carry something with me to make sure that I stay energized.
I like cliff bars and I don't mind their gels. Powerbars are ok in my book. I'm not that picky, although I do eat cliff bars off the bike.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Posts: 1,990
Bikes: Dawes Kalahari, Puch Prima Super Sport, Graham Weigh 853
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Bananas are awesome ride food. I carry one in my Jersey pocket with the stalk pre-bitten off. You can also chuck into the forest guilt-free too. Don't race without one!
#12
Senior Member
I probably don't eat/drink enough but my general rule of thumb (for me) is on a long, long ride:
gel and two bottles (1 water, 1 with sugary stuff - Enervit or Gatorade seems to be my favorites) in the first 2-3 hours, then 2 bottles and a gel in the next 2 hours, then a gel or crack pack every hour after that, bottles as necessary (1 per hour seems the rule). This is in 60-75 degree weather, dry, mid level effort average with a couple hours of steady threshold effort (i.e. climbing up hard climbs).
If I feel hungry (i.e. stomach feels empty) then I'll have solids - bar, fig newtons, peanuts, whatever I feel like. If I crave it I buy it.
I rode 2.5 hours the other day - 40 deg, a bit windy, overcast. Brought 1 bottle of water. When I rolled the bike into the basement I hadn't touched the water.
cdr
gel and two bottles (1 water, 1 with sugary stuff - Enervit or Gatorade seems to be my favorites) in the first 2-3 hours, then 2 bottles and a gel in the next 2 hours, then a gel or crack pack every hour after that, bottles as necessary (1 per hour seems the rule). This is in 60-75 degree weather, dry, mid level effort average with a couple hours of steady threshold effort (i.e. climbing up hard climbs).
If I feel hungry (i.e. stomach feels empty) then I'll have solids - bar, fig newtons, peanuts, whatever I feel like. If I crave it I buy it.
I rode 2.5 hours the other day - 40 deg, a bit windy, overcast. Brought 1 bottle of water. When I rolled the bike into the basement I hadn't touched the water.
cdr
#13
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
206 Posts
Fig newtons. On yesterday's ride I ate two at the half-way point.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#14
in the ground
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 204
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I probably don't eat/drink enough but my general rule of thumb (for me) is on a long, long ride:
gel and two bottles (1 water, 1 with sugary stuff - Enervit or Gatorade seems to be my favorites) in the first 2-3 hours, then 2 bottles and a gel in the next 2 hours, then a gel or crack pack every hour after that, bottles as necessary (1 per hour seems the rule). This is in 60-75 degree weather, dry, mid level effort average with a couple hours of steady threshold effort (i.e. climbing up hard climbs).
If I feel hungry (i.e. stomach feels empty) then I'll have solids - bar, fig newtons, peanuts, whatever I feel like. If I crave it I buy it.
I rode 2.5 hours the other day - 40 deg, a bit windy, overcast. Brought 1 bottle of water. When I rolled the bike into the basement I hadn't touched the water.
cdr
gel and two bottles (1 water, 1 with sugary stuff - Enervit or Gatorade seems to be my favorites) in the first 2-3 hours, then 2 bottles and a gel in the next 2 hours, then a gel or crack pack every hour after that, bottles as necessary (1 per hour seems the rule). This is in 60-75 degree weather, dry, mid level effort average with a couple hours of steady threshold effort (i.e. climbing up hard climbs).
If I feel hungry (i.e. stomach feels empty) then I'll have solids - bar, fig newtons, peanuts, whatever I feel like. If I crave it I buy it.
I rode 2.5 hours the other day - 40 deg, a bit windy, overcast. Brought 1 bottle of water. When I rolled the bike into the basement I hadn't touched the water.
cdr
#15
Newbie?
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: East London, UK
Posts: 16
Bikes: 2007 Bianchi Camaleonte III Tiagra
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Torq bars taste beautiful! I love their apricot ones. I'll generally eat a bar every 30-40 or so. They're good for football matches too
+1 on the banana thing too... great ride food!
+1 on the banana thing too... great ride food!
#16
(not really a racer)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Los Osos, CA
Posts: 62
Bikes: 2008 Cannondale Synanpse 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I usually have two bottles - one with water and one with Hammer Perpetua orange/vanilla stuff mixed in and a gel in case i really bonk out....
#17
cruising desert roads
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: south central utah
Posts: 12
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac sl
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Gel = quick energy!
I absolutely swear by Clif Shot Gels. They are so easy to suck down when riding fast or in a group, easy to open with my teeth, and I appreciate the "litter leash". I love the raspberry flavor and the double expresso. Can't imagine why someone would consider them "gross"? The raspberry is like eating jam. They give me a really quick boost when I start to feel any loss of energy or onset of hunger. For rides longer than a couple hours I will eat a Clif Bar or two during the ride. Mint Choclate is yummy. Picked up a bunch of Jelly Belly Sports Beans at the Tour of California and I like them also. But, their drawback is this, you open the package with your teeth and a) hope you don't rip the whole side of the package open and lose the beans, or b) you are left with a piece of litter to deal with. I just can't see eating them if you are going very fast, it takes too much balancing and use of the hands. Clif Shot blocks are the same, too many pieces to deal with.
Fausto
Fausto
#18
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 35
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i like the gels because when you're out of breath and just tired, the last thing you want to do is try to chew something. Trying to breathe through your nose while you're chewing is tough also while riding hard. Gels go down smooth and fast. They dont taste great though. I like Sportbeans taste better but again, they are hard to chew on and when it's cold out, they are even harder to chew.
#19
.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
12 Posts
Which do you prefer? I never actually eaten anything on my ride but now I am focusing on 30-40mile rides and I think that I should consider eating something from hour to hour. Bars seem annoying to consume so I probably will look into gels. What gels do you guys recommend?
#22
Sprinters are Sexy
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 277
Bikes: Salsa Campeon.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I prefer to take in one gel every half hour. My body seems to absorb it faster than solid food (don't know if there's any science behind that). This, along with Cytomax, fulfills my caloric needs, generally speaking.
One of my friends prefers the Cliff bar; every 20 minutes or so, he'll take just a nibble. This might be an option if you prefer the type of calories that you chew on.
As far as which brand, that's pretty subjective. I like Hammer gel apple for the flavor; however, I also use the Powerbar gel 4x sodium on the summer rides because I'm what is referred as a salty sweater. You'll have to experiment to see which brand works for you.
And don't forget the traditional options such as bananas, potatoes, sandwiches. Depending the length of your ride, it can't hurt to take in some protein (liquid or solid).
One of my friends prefers the Cliff bar; every 20 minutes or so, he'll take just a nibble. This might be an option if you prefer the type of calories that you chew on.
As far as which brand, that's pretty subjective. I like Hammer gel apple for the flavor; however, I also use the Powerbar gel 4x sodium on the summer rides because I'm what is referred as a salty sweater. You'll have to experiment to see which brand works for you.
And don't forget the traditional options such as bananas, potatoes, sandwiches. Depending the length of your ride, it can't hurt to take in some protein (liquid or solid).
#23
.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
12 Posts
I prefer to take in one gel every half hour. My body seems to absorb it faster than solid food (don't know if there's any science behind that). This, along with Cytomax, fulfills my caloric needs, generally speaking.
One of my friends prefers the Cliff bar; every 20 minutes or so, he'll take just a nibble. This might be an option if you prefer the type of calories that you chew on.
As far as which brand, that's pretty subjective. I like Hammer gel apple for the flavor; however, I also use the Powerbar gel 4x sodium on the summer rides because I'm what is referred as a salty sweater. You'll have to experiment to see which brand works for you.
And don't forget the traditional options such as bananas, potatoes, sandwiches. Depending the length of your ride, it can't hurt to take in some protein (liquid or solid).
One of my friends prefers the Cliff bar; every 20 minutes or so, he'll take just a nibble. This might be an option if you prefer the type of calories that you chew on.
As far as which brand, that's pretty subjective. I like Hammer gel apple for the flavor; however, I also use the Powerbar gel 4x sodium on the summer rides because I'm what is referred as a salty sweater. You'll have to experiment to see which brand works for you.
And don't forget the traditional options such as bananas, potatoes, sandwiches. Depending the length of your ride, it can't hurt to take in some protein (liquid or solid).
#24
Sprinters are Sexy
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 277
Bikes: Salsa Campeon.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#25
Look at all these buttons
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 984
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Gels only for me. Anything solid makes me puke. Which I sometimes have used to my advantage in a break away. LOL!
You should've seen the look on that chaps face. I won that **** too!
You should've seen the look on that chaps face. I won that **** too!