undisputed83

I used this midway through a century, I don't think it worked against me. What does everyone else think about using this during a ride?

55/Rad

I occasionally will have an Red Bull-type energy drink during a break in a long ride. I agree, it doesn't seem to help or hurt.

jdon

I like 5 Hour Energy after a long ride. Keeps me from feeling shagged out for the rest of the day.

bbattle

It's a shot of caffeine without sugar. Black coffee would do just as well.

You need carbs with a bit of protein during and after a ride. If you throw in a bit of caffeine with that, it shouldn't hurt.

rangerdavid

5 hour energy isn't bad. better than red bull and the other energy drinks that have all the crap in 'em, IMHO. Probably not as good as one of the Hammer Gels with caffeine.

SlowOlympian

considering it doesnt add any energy to your metabolic system, without replenishments like chocolate milk or bananas etc. the only risk i see is feeling more energetic after taking it, then bonking after a long ride when not replenishing your tank.

theres a difference between being an office worker with a 5 hr energy (0 activity), a cook, like i am, w/high volume(30%?) and biking long distance, which ideally in training, you burn all your matches. in my experience, with no cal energy drinks, i run out of muscle energy before i would if i drank milk(awesome recommendation ive gotten here). however, 5 hr combined with the typical amount of milk, might not be a bad combination as long as the caffeine doesnt limit your intake rate. caffeine makes me less hungry so when i need to get more energy through food, i dont. just my observation though, and whether its a caffeine energy drink or not, they dont seem to fuel me properly, YMMV, esp cause im "one of the few who arent too fat for this sport"

Mose

I'd use it sparingly. It's pretty much all caffeine, a diuretic. I stick with the dose of caffeine that comes in shot blox or those new gu equivalent, or the hammer espresso gel, etc. I cut back in really hot weather.

On another level the product itself makes me mad because there's no energy in it. You can't have no kcals, a measure of energy, and call it energy.

It's like saying, here, take this protein bar. How much protein? Oh, zero grams. You don't want that nasty protein in your protein bar.

jdon

Correct.

Caffeine is caffeine, pick your source. It isn't what I have all the time and isn't the only content of my apres ride recovery meal. Just a shot of caffeine when I need one. Being I don't eat chocholate or drink coffee, I don't feel like an abuser!

datlas 

Doper

jdon

I proudly follow you Coca Cola for breakfast types!

Oh wait! That has sugar.. hmm... energy. They need to re-package that crap.

v70cat

I find that espresso gels help me and are probably better suited for cycling since you need more than just caffeine.

urbanknight

I know somebody who uses it during his ultra-distance (300+ miles) rides, and I tried it a couple times during my regular day and during a century. I didn't notice anything.

undisputed83

I will also have a coca cola during a late stop on a century. I'm doing a double century this weekend. The biggest thing I noticed with the Five Hour Energy is that I wasn't mentally fatigued at all. I still felt the physical woes I usually feel, which aren't all that bad anyway. I do have gu and chocolate milk at certain points of rides as well.

rangerdavid

Hmmmmm, what would umd say?

Velo Dog

Lightens your wallet by three bucks or so...The benefits of nearly all the ingredients are either unproven or have been debunked, and you can get the effective ones (mainly caffeine) for far less money. If the convenience and perceived boost are worth the money, you may choose to use it, but it's not well-supported scientifically or clinically.

hurley1718

I don't really drink caffeine, but sometimes when we travel for vacation I will take one of these thinking it will help. It actually makes me more tired, and I think it is because my body isn't used to caffeine.

pdxtex

suuuuuuuuuugar!!! im a fan of the saturday morning gatorade/rockstar cocktail. a few of those and i usually have a pretty sweet ride.

AgentRedlum

Used it twice. Felt sick both times. Now I stay away from the stuff.

Nerull

5 hour energy has all of the same things red bull and such have in them, sans sugar and more water - the things that might actually be helpful.

Strangely, 5 hour energy lists that white powder you see on Warheads and similar sour candy as one of their "energy" ingredients. I'm not sure what they're going for there.

datlas 

Not sure, but I would like to think it would include the word "ass."

I am afraid he's not coming back, at least that's what he said to me a month ago when I him asked in that "other" forum.

AltheCyclist

According to the company web site, "Original 5-hour ENERGY® contains caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee. Extra Strength 5-hour ENERGY® contains caffeine comparable to 12 ounces of the leading premium coffee."

I'd prefer a cup of joe, personally.

GP

What's wrong with Skittles and Mt. Dew?

Terex

Coffee ftw

AltheCyclist

You know what I miss? Bit-o-Honey .. are they still around?

Aurelius

I use GU. Works great.