Gels, Protein Bars etc

goonas

Hi,

Are there any brands people recommend for those extra boosts during longer rides and for recovery after?

Looking to avoid any products with cranberries in due to medication I am on.

I currently use High5 Zero as a drink during the rides but wondered if gels/bars etc are worth it for the helping hand too.

Any tips etc welcomed.

Thanks

composite

I believe that High 5 is electrolytes only is it not? I believe the "zero" actually refers to 0 calories, so it's not really going to give you a "boost" as it were.

I think that you have to just try different brands to see how they work for you. People react differently. This can go all the way from getting a good boost, to feeling nothing to getting bad stomach cramps, it just depends on you.

I copied this from another reply I gave to a similar question: I use a carbs/electrolyte drink mixed to 50% of the instructions. The problem with carb drinks is that if they are too strong then your stomach will actually "suck" the water from your body to deal with them, dehydrating you.
Bananas.
Small bits of flapjack but regularly.
I also boil up new potatos, let them cool, peel the skin off and then roll them in salt, olive oil and grated parmesan cheese. Put 2 in some tin foil and it's a great little trail snack.
Some times take a small bag of cashew nuts and just have half a handful once an hour.

I don't really have this stuff to give me a boost though, I just try to maintain a level. On short rides 3-4 hours I don't generally need much food and will just go with the energy drink. The proper food is for when I do the real long stuff (I'm hoping to get into endurance racing). I did 10 and half hours last Saturday with about 4 liters of the drink, 3 power bars and some flapjack. I did have 2 fatty/carb rich dinners the night before and a carb and protein rich breakfast which kept me going. I did go a little light on food though and would normally have more than that but I just didn't prepare properly.

goonas

I believe that High 5 is electrolytes only is it not? I believe the "zero" actually refers to 0 calories, so it's not really going to give you a "boost" as it were.

I am not looking for the High5 Zero to give me a boost, I use that as the alternative to calorific drinks like Powerade etc - I get on with this quit well, stomach takes to it fine.

I am looking for the supplement ontop of this if that makes sense.

Like the idea of the nuts, small bags, not much to carry around - makes sense.

beatpig

An aces recovery drink I use is (weight based for me, 68kgs - varies for weight)

1tbsp honey
100mls greek yoghurt
568mls/1 pint milk
1 banana

Gives the right proportion of carbs/protein and is really light on the stomach. 570cals.

Per kg, should be taking between 1-1.2gms of carbs, with a 3:1 carbs:protein.

As for riding, I am still discovering. And failing so far to ensure correct hydration/nutrition - so keeping an eye on this post.

goonas

As for riding, I am still discovering. And failing so far to ensure correct hydration/nutrition - so keeping an eye on this post.

Try High5 Zero for hydration if you haven't already - I just fill up the water bottle chuck in a tablet and take it on my ride. The citrus flavour is very mild and doesn't affect my stomach.

You can pick it up from supermarkets, local bike shops and places like Holland and Barrett etc in a tube - about £6 for 20 tablets.

composite

I didn't really make my point clear about the drink.
I'm suggesting that you could kill 2 birds with one stone and have a drink that is going to do the same as the High Five but also give you some carbs. That way every time you take a mouthful you get a little bit of extra energy as well. This is why I mention that for 3-4 hour rides I don't bother with food (or very little any way) just the drink. For 1-2 hour short blasts I would just take water.

Also I see you mention Holland and Barret so assuming you are in the UK?
The drink I use is "ISO Energy". In Holland and Barret its under the Precision Engineering brand and in GNC its under the GNC Live Well brand but its the same stuff.

As for riding, I am still discovering. And failing so far to ensure correct hydration/nutrition - so keeping an eye on this post.

The secret for me was to start rides already hydrated properly. I drink a good amount of water every day now (whether I'm riding or not) and that has been the biggest help. The same with food. I will make sure I eat a good meal the night before and a good breakfast before riding so again I'm starting off with the best preparation possible.

goonas

I didn't really make my point clear about the drink.
I'm suggesting that you could kill 2 birds with one stone and have a drink that is going to do the same as the High Five but also give you some carbs. That way every time you take a mouthful you get a little bit of extra energy as well. This is why I mention that for 3-4 hour rides I don't bother with food (or very little any way) just the drink. For 1-2 hour short blasts I would just take water.

Also I see you mention Holland and Barret so assuming you are in the UK?
The drink I use is "ISO Energy". In Holland and Barret its under the Precision Engineering brand and in GNC its under the GNC Live Well brand but its the same stuff.

Thanks will look them up

Scudder76

The gels hit my gut like a ton of bricks. I've found Clif's Shot Blocks to be a good solution. They are available with or without caffeine, I often take a sleeve of each out on a ride. (But don't go through that many.)

I'm actually trying to wean myself off of the franken-foods, even the 'healthy' of 'performance enhancing' varieties. For food I'm carrying bananas and Alan Lim's rice cakes. Haven't solved for hydration yet. (Still using Nuun Tabs, which i like, and looking at switching to Sratch Lab's powder, which costs an arm and a leg.)

TheBigYin

I don't really use gels/bars - I do carry them on longer rides (in case of the dreaded "bonk") but usually carry something like Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwiches or a bit of Baguette with cheese/ham (foil-wrapped for back-pocket convenience) as I just prefer "real food" (and relatively savoury at that)

That being said, I've found Mule Bars (chocolate fig fiesta is tasty) to be pretty good, and I've a bit of a soft spot for Torq energy gels (the Rhubarb and Custard gel again tastes fantastic!)

composite

I like Allen Lim's potato snack that he talks about here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwt-DUpKPYA
Just bought some new potatos today actually to make some for this weekends rides.

I also just bought this book to try to get a bit more diversity in the ride snacks. It's not out in the UK yet but I ordered it from the states.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feed-Zone-Portables-Cookbook-On-The-Go/dp/1937715000/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368777129&sr=8-1&keywords=Feed+Zone+Portables:+A+Cookbook+of+On-the-Go+Food+for+Athletes+(The+Feed+Zone

gaiaearth

I'm doing my first century tomorrow.....so I'm not an expert but have done an 86 mile last weekend and longish rides before.

I'm really not into processed stuff but I've used emergenC electrolyte and tossed into a little sized 'simply lemonade' (or limeade if preferred). There's tons of sugar in the drink and the electrolytes in the packet. Hope that helps.

Scudder76

I also just bought this book to try to get a bit more diversity in the ride snacks. It's not out in the UK yet but I ordered it from the states.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feed-Zone-Portables-Cookbook-On-The-Go/dp/1937715000/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368777129&sr=8-1&keywords=Feed+Zone+Portables:+A+Cookbook+of+On-the-Go+Food+for+Athletes+(The+Feed+Zone

I just got the book in today's FedEx. Bought some of his Skratch Lab drink mix too.

RekindledRose

Bananas and fig newton bars for during longer rides, and something like chocolate milk, muscle milk, or some other inexpensive protein shake afterwards.

And protein for dinner.