vadenplas

I have found, through trial and error, that power bars,gu and other energy product really cannot be beat by dried fruit. Dried dates, apricots and nuts are the best energy food on the trail for me. Let me know what you guys think.

lala

I think you meant to write:

I have found, through trial and error, that power bars, gu and other energy products really cannot beat dried fruit.


Additionally, I moved this to Training and Nutrition

nick burns

I haven't tried making them myself yet, but I saw Alton Brown make these granola bars on the Food Network a couple weeks ago. They sound pretty good and cost pennies to make.

LowCel 

Well while in a race and struggling to breath I couldn't imagine trying to eat dried fruits and nuts. I would probably end up choking to death.

-TBT-

gu may be a little $$$. if you want cheep you can just add some carb powder to some H20. thats all gu is- flavored carbs. its about 30g for every 1hr after the first. i use cheap maltodexrin (sp?) i got 10lbs for $20. i am sure you can get it for less

zx108

cliff bars are my favorite, and power bars under that

i have never had this gu stuff.

Powerful Pete

All this powerbar baloney.

Long rides:

1. After about an hour/two: 1-2 small sandwiches with olive oil, cheese and prosciutto (parma ham to you heathens!)

2. Mid-ride - banana and/or apple slices

3. Later in the ride: small sandwiches of honey and/or marmelade.

Races: small sandwiches packed with marmelade

Works way better, is healthier, and no problemos.

Oh, BTW, lots of H20 in the water bottles. Or, if in a race, de-fizzed coke (something with sugar w/o carbonation) - I always prefer the former, but the power of globalisatio and world wide brands does have an effect, even here. And to think cyclists use to drink one part soda water and one part white wine through the 60s...

EJ123

yo g slices i be tellin yo dat monsta is da shizlleist of dem izzles ight

ed073

too hard to handle and eat under race conditions. Carbohydrate gels and bars are the pros choice.

hi565

I personally like clif bars and gels. Gels have saved my ass before. I don't use them regularly. I usually use clif bars because they are easy. Once I do my metric century I will venture into PB and J which was recommended by many.

EJ123

hi

lws

When I turn pro, that's what I'll use. 'Til then, I'll stick with what works for me. As for "waste of money", I will counter that dried fruit ain't exactly cheap.

For what it's worth, a Clif shot contains 25g of brown rice syrup, plus vanilla flavoring or whatever. It retails for $1.00, maybe a little less in bulk, maybe a little more since there's probably a sales tax charged.

1 bottle of brown rice syrup from Whole Foods contains 596g and costs $3.59, not taxable.

You do the math. When I do it, I see "600% profit". That's a better margin than crack dealers get.

ed073

Good logic.

FXjohn

Why dried? My favorites to bring are grapes ( really quenches my thirst for some reason).
Banans and apples. No chemical laden bullsheet bars for me.

hi565

How ya doin!

EJ123

lol good just got out of school you?

hi565

Im alright, just got back from a ride!

EJ123

wut kinda bike do u have?

hi565

Bianchi "Capable" Brava, you?

crawfman

Cheese and prosciutto!...that's my kinda energy bar.

Wes

DannoXYZ 

Personally, I like dinner-rolls with jam, bananas, pizza, baked-potatos, burritos and fish-tacos on my rides. Still trying to figure out a way to get hot (or at least) warm soup on a ride. Now that the winter season is here, temperatures are going to drop into the 70s, so I'm gonna need some hot meals..

NoRacer

The problem with a lot of the processed foods like sandwhiches and dried fruit is that these things divert water to your digestive system while you need the water to remain in the circulatory system. The gels, on the other hand, should be followed with some plain water, therefore helping to balance or increase water in the system (your body).

lws

First time I've ever heard of dried fruit referred to as a processed food. And by implication, synthesized food products like Gu are not? If you value your life, don't say this anywhere near your local food co-op.

hi565

wow, thats a filled roll!

Cromulent

Temps in the '70s? In winter? I think I need to move to Southern California.

Gu and Cliff Bars are pricey, or at least they can be, but they're really convenient. Fig Newtons are good. PB&J, and bananas are good too. Even in sandwich bags, the stuff falls apart and gets messy. I prefer the prepackaged stuff (even though bananas come in their own natural package) that I can cram in my jersey pockets and not worry about.