Being C&V leaning I'm more of a granola bar and banana guy but was recently tempted to pick up a box of GU packets. At over a buck a pop, is that stuff worth it? Does it really help or is it more new age marketing Koolaid?

No, but I have been considering the Stinger Waffles.

I haven't used GU, but it is the real thing. Read up about it -- each packet is about 100 cal of complex carbs. Just the right thing. On a long haul, it's going to be easier to consume and digest than, in my case, a package of fig newtons.

I can buy that it metabolizes more quickly than solids, but that's not a critical concern for me and the way I ride. So I stick with Powerbars, Clif bars, bananas, raisins etc.

All that is probably true, but I stick with the fig newtons. Fig Newtons used to come in very bicycle-friendly packaging, which they have inexplicably changed in the last year or two.

I used GU for a while. I just got tired of the messiness of it.

I switched to Clif Shot Bloks. Much cleaner.

Hmmm. I used to love fig newtons but haven't eaten one in years. Classic and Vintage.

Yes. There's a question of what to do with the opened foil thing with the now Gu-ey edge. Stick it in the back pouch, I guess, which sounds a bit messy.

Fig Newtons rule. There's not a Gu shot made (and I've had them all) that approaches the satisfaction of a Fig Newton.

I've been eating these lately. Tasty.

+1

Bananas = the retrogrouch powerbar.

It depends on what kind of ride I'm doing. If I'm doing a long fast-paced ride, I'll take some shot bloks/gu and some kind of bar with protein in it. If it's just a slower paced relaxing ride, I'll take real food.

King size Payday bars...4:1 carb to protein ration and ~440 calories per bar, which is approximately what you'll want per hour if you're spending a lot of time in the saddle. Split the bar into 6 pieces and have one every 10 minutes.

You know, thirty something years ago I discovered those whole wheat fig bars available in the health food stores and I was ruined on regular fig newtons ever since. I might have to switch back to the old stand by now. I can remember munching on them while watching Sky King.

Oh man. Those both look very good! What, Colonel ...do you just have a vast log of pics for any and all contingencies ?

Unless you're never stopping on your rides, or doing marathons or triathlons, to me gels are more marketing hype than genuine benefit. If I'm going to spend money on overpriced consumables, I'll save the money I don't spend on GU and put towards a good pair of tires.

Someone shops at Costco .

As for Gu, I'd never had any until this year's RAGBRAI. Much to my pleasant surprise, there is quite a good kick in them. For high endurance / performance activities, I can see why they're a must. All that said, I still prefer real food, as I am a bit of a food snob and love to cook. I'd rather whip up something with some chia seeds, almonds and dried fruit. I'd also much rather eat a Gu than a Powerbar - uck! Pro-bars are where it's at if I must have a commercially made energy thing.

I just a century and split my hourly caloric intake between GU and Fig Newtons. I found them in convenient 2 Newton packs, 100 calories a cookie. I had a couple of Roctaines, too, which add some extra caloires and different aminos. First century I've done, and I didn't bonk (which I was worried about). I used a TT mounted "Bento Box" and just stocked it as I needed, and it was perfect for me. I also had a couple of the Clif version of GU, and can tell you the RAZZ flavor was simply nasty. NASTY!

As for the GU-y edge, I just wrapped the packet up from opening side first, and didn't have any sticky issues in my pocket. Stuck my phone in there later without issue.

Seriously ?

Can buy these everywhere (and love 'em) although prefer to make my own power bars.

There is no way I am eating some packet full of goo. I prefer food to be more like...food.

Google Images

Yes. A friend of mine does a lot of catering. Every so often I have him pick me up those two items and these.



Ditto. But then I'm not competing in triathlons.

I have Gued a time or two but I am not really into it.

I'm more of a "stop for lunch in the middle of the ride" kind of guy, but I do carry a couple packets of Gu on my rides. I don't always use 'em, but there are times when I'm starting to feel a little overextended and Gu is exactly what the doctor ordered. I see them as a supplement, not a replacement, for more solid fare.

I've suspected that my blood sugar has dropped a couple times on me recently. I've been considering carrying a packaged thing but the the goo of gu just puts me off. That's why I said i was considering the waffles.

I only carbo load with beer.