What's the point of energy gels?
10-08-08, 12:57 PM
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What's the point of energy gels?
I tried one recently. Apart from having to swallow slime, I read the packet- it is isotonic. This means it contains no higher proportion of carbs than the drink I put in my bottle. So it's an expensive sachet containing a few mls of ordinary energy drink, thickened with gum. What is supposed to be the benefit to this? If I needed more energy drink, I'd get bigger bottles- easier to drink, cheaper and the same effect. If I want food, a banana has much more substance to it. So what is the point of the gels?
10-08-08, 01:01 PM
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What's in my bottle is also quick energy, and is easier to get to. Why not just take more of it?
10-08-08, 01:05 PM
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Gu can be slammed down in 5 seconds. Do you really want to chug a bottle that fast, AND have all that extra water. Drink fluids throughout, and use gels to get a boost.
10-08-08, 01:05 PM
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Gels are advertised to different groups for being, yes the same thing in your bottle, but alot more manageable. IE say you need whats in 4 bottles worth. Is it easier to carry 4 bottles or 4 gels?
That's the point. That and we runners would look really stupid carrying water bottles on long runs.
That's the point. That and we runners would look really stupid carrying water bottles on long runs.
10-08-08, 01:05 PM
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If you're so smart to know what "isotonic" is, then I don't think any of us would be expecting too much for you to connect the dots in the reasoning you just supplied with the above post.
10-08-08, 01:12 PM
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And the Vanilla Gu tastes like warm pudding.....try drinking warm pudding out of your bottle ....
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10-08-08, 01:17 PM
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For a three hour-long road race, I would have to get many bottle handups to get enough carbs from liquid...And then I would have to pee before the finish.
On the other hand, I can load 6 shots of Hammer Gel into a flask, wash each shot down with a few swigs of water, and get through that three hour race much more easily.
On the other hand, I can load 6 shots of Hammer Gel into a flask, wash each shot down with a few swigs of water, and get through that three hour race much more easily.
10-08-08, 01:20 PM
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the point of gels is to use them on long fast rides. When you're going to be on the bike 6 plus hours, and you're going too hard to get solid food down easily, then gels work out very nicely.
If you're riding shorter distances, or at lower intensities,and are making store stops,then gels aren't really that helpful.
If you're riding shorter distances, or at lower intensities,and are making store stops,then gels aren't really that helpful.
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10-08-08, 01:24 PM
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Their biggest drawback is what to do with the wrapper afterwards. From what I've seen the users just throw them onto the pavement beneath their bike. They don't even make an effort to throw them to the side so all the other cyclists are running over their trash. It must be weak arm muscles.
There may be responsible users of gel packets who don't litter. I have yet to see one.
There may be responsible users of gel packets who don't litter. I have yet to see one.
10-08-08, 01:25 PM
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mmm Hammer Apple Cinnamon GU. Yummiest ever.
Try to eat a Clif bar at speed.
Try to eat a Clif bar at speed.
10-08-08, 01:28 PM
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Their biggest drawback is what to do with the wrapper afterwards. From what I've seen the users just throw them onto the pavement beneath their bike. They don't even make an effort to throw them to the side so all the other cyclists are running over their trash. It must be weak arm muscles.
There may be responsible users of gel packets who don't litter. I have yet to see one.
There may be responsible users of gel packets who don't litter. I have yet to see one.
Keep looking.... Let us know the results
10-08-08, 01:28 PM
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Their biggest drawback is what to do with the wrapper afterwards. From what I've seen the users just throw them onto the pavement beneath their bike. They don't even make an effort to throw them to the side so all the other cyclists are running over their trash. It must be weak arm muscles.
There may be responsible users of gel packets who don't litter. I have yet to see one.
There may be responsible users of gel packets who don't litter. I have yet to see one.
10-08-08, 01:29 PM
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10-08-08, 01:29 PM
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Put them back in the jersey pocket they came out of. Your going to wash the jersey anyway so a little bit of stickiness is not a problem.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
10-08-08, 01:31 PM
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Their biggest drawback is what to do with the wrapper afterwards. From what I've seen the users just throw them onto the pavement beneath their bike. They don't even make an effort to throw them to the side so all the other cyclists are running over their trash. It must be weak arm muscles.
There may be responsible users of gel packets who don't litter. I have yet to see one.
There may be responsible users of gel packets who don't litter. I have yet to see one.
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10-08-08, 01:31 PM
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Eww. Eww. Eww. I was just telling someone that Apple Cinammon Hammer Gel is just wrong. That flavor should not be in a packet. It's bright green and you're expecting something tart and get hit with cinammon instead. Wrong, I'm telling you.
10-08-08, 01:32 PM
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on some rides i've been on, you could follow the trail of gel packets to stay on course!
at least with a banana, you can toss the wrapper and not worry.
10-08-08, 01:32 PM
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You can recycle them. I believe at least one manufacturer has a recycling program. That or purchase them by the bottle. I put mine in a jersey pocket inside an energy bar wrapper.
10-08-08, 01:33 PM
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Me neither. I am constantly Spray 'N Wash'ing the pockets of jerseys because one the used packets inevitably leaks and gets all over the place.