Everyone says that: "calories are all the same," but it's clear from numerous studies that that's not the case. In the short term if one rider ate complex carbs and another rider ate simple carbs (like glucose or fructose) the first rider would have more energy over the next 4 hours while the second would "bonk." In the long term there are differences as well: if you get too many calories from simple sugars you almost certainly will develop diabetes. Calories, while always equal in measure of pure energy, are NOT equal in their impact on our systems.

All of those bars are waaaay too sweet for my tastes (but I admit I'm not normal as I haven't eaten a single cookie, cake or ice cream -- or anything like that -- in over 12 years). I just have to say, I can't stand this: every product in this country that is supposed to be "healthy" either has too much sugar, too much salt or fake cancer-producing sugars.

As for the simple sugars in those bars (which ostensibly are there to provide quick initial energy before the carbs kick in), if you properly fuel prior to a workout with the right amount of carbs and protein, you'll have sustainable energy throughout the ride and have no need for the simple sugars. And by the way, the idea that the simple sugars will hold you over till the carbs kick in is completely false. The carbs will take too long to be broken down (in part because the simple sugars create a sugar "surplus" that tells the body it doesn't need the sugars from the carbs) and you'll actually have a sugar deficit in your blood stream for a bit.

Nice! Any distance over 75 is so impressive and cool. Just think, the average human couldn't go 4 miles without assistance from a car, and you could ride across an entire state with your own power. Cool.

I know. I'm not sure what it is, but for some reason I really, really want to do a straight century. LOL.