love2fly Posted September 15, 2023 Share What do you find provides better energy for longer rides, gels or energy bars? I drink a well known sports drink and have generally always taken a Biogen or PVM bar for longer rides,but I'm starting to consider trying gels, what do you guys think? Other than the guts who don't eat or eat potatoes 😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PregoRoll Posted September 15, 2023 Share I use both, Bars at the start of my ride with gels as an emergency back up or for the final 15/20km of a race or event. I know of some lunatics that ride on a high carb juice mix and a banana It all boils down to personal preference. Ive heard some horror stories of people sh*ting their chamois while only eating gels love2fly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffsVintageBikes Posted September 15, 2023 Share Both... and also bananas & nuts & potatoes 😊 love2fly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guidodg Posted September 15, 2023 Share Tailwind nutrition, forget gels and bars.. love2fly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted September 15, 2023 Share try them and see? As a matter of interest, what is a 'longer ride'? I am not a racer but I use 'gels' when I run a road marathon or do a bike race when I know I will be moving the entire time and don't have the brain function to chew without choking or inhibiting my breathing too much. I certainly don't carry 'gels' on training rides or runs. Anything between 3 and 9 hours done at a consistent intensity. Anything longer than that I will have 0ne or 2 in reserve and make sure I eat proper food. This allows me to both eat proper food which is better on the gut and forces me to lower my intensity for a while in order to eat. If thats stopping or going slower, which is generally a good idea on something 10 to 120 hours long love2fly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love2fly Posted September 15, 2023 Share 33 minutes ago, Jewbacca said: try them and see? As a matter of interest, what is a 'longer ride'? I am not a racer but I use 'gels' when I run a road marathon or do a bike race when I know I will be moving the entire time and don't have the brain function to chew without choking or inhibiting my breathing too much. I certainly don't carry 'gels' on training rides or runs. Anything between 3 and 9 hours done at a consistent intensity. Anything longer than that I will have 0ne or 2 in reserve and make sure I eat proper food. This allows me to both eat proper food which is better on the gut and forces me to lower my intensity for a while in order to eat. If thats stopping or going slower, which is generally a good idea on something 10 to 120 hours long Howre the shoes? What sort of proper food will you eat on those10- 120 hour rides? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 15, 2023 Share What’s your definition of “better” energy? What would your “longer” rides be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love2fly Posted September 15, 2023 Share Better energy. Main concern being that gels used to spike you but then put you down, vs maybe bars being something more substantial for your stomach ... Longer rides: 2 hours to 6 hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bub Marley Posted September 15, 2023 Share 2 hours ago, guidodg said: Tailwind nutrition, forget gels and bars.. Heard good things about Tailwind. Think I should give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyTrailRider Posted September 15, 2023 Share My best nutrition on rides the last few years has been a chocolate or almond croissant. Nice and cultured, gives you the carbs you need, and tastes great during that top-of-the-mountain stop. love2fly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK Private Posted September 15, 2023 Share I use PVM bars on training rides where I can stop / slow down to eat them. However, I use GU gels when doing events / races (<4hrs) as you can consume these quickly, on the go without stopping or having to chew excessively (especially if your a bit winded from pushing hard...). love2fly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcv Posted September 15, 2023 Share find the one that your stomach handles best as each person can have very different needs. It took me a while to figure out on how to push my stomach and I settled on a Sugar and Game bottle mix that I know other people cannot drink. love2fly and ChrisF 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ouzo Posted September 16, 2023 Share so i use a combination of both. depending on the length of the ride I sometime also take both with me. I find if its hot, or I've had higher excursion , then I cant eat a bar, gets stuck in my throat, thats when I use the gel. Although I found on saturdays ride where temps peaked in the 40s, sipping on a gel that been in my back pocket for 6 hours was like sipping on piping hot tea, it was not pleasent. But like others have said, try them both, in multiple different scenarios, use what works for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bub Marley Posted September 16, 2023 Share 59 minutes ago, The Ouzo said: so i use a combination of both. depending on the length of the ride I sometime also take both with me. I find if its hot, or I've had higher excursion , then I cant eat a bar, gets stuck in my throat, thats when I use the gel. Although I found on saturdays ride where temps peaked in the 40s, sipping on a gel that been in my back pocket for 6 hours was like sipping on piping hot tea, it was not pleasent. But like others have said, try them both, in multiple different scenarios, use what works for you. Finding the right gel consistency is important as well. I find GU in winter is too thick in terms of consistency. But in summer it’s better because the heat makes it softer. For this reason I try and use gels with a more liquid consistency. Just makes getting it down easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadenceblur Posted September 16, 2023 Share 2 hours ago, Bub Marley said: Finding the right gel consistency is important as well. I find GU in winter is too thick in terms of consistency. But in summer it’s better because the heat makes it softer. For this reason I try and use gels with a more liquid consistency. Just makes getting it down easier. I’ve found the biogen gels to be nice and thin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinusjvrs Posted September 16, 2023 Share Give Maurten gels a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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