Originally Posted by
pdlamb
As a Certified Retro-grouch in Training, I don't think it matters. Food is food, calories is calories. My prefered energy bar is a Snickers. Surprisingly good balance of carbs, protein, and fat, and tastes worlds better than any of that allegedly healthy crap.
Just don't consume too much!
I'm the same way, except for the candy bar consumption. Not only have I never used the energy stuff, I can't see that I ever will, at least not until such time as I find my own admittedly low performance expectations being limited by the regular food I eat before and during rides (and my own stores of body fat burned during recovery).
I'll worry about energy gels and drinks when I get to the point where I'm fueling for higher performance. I'm nowhere near there yet, and it remains to be seen if I'll ever get there.