Gels - when to use

[mark ellis]

when do you guys use gels in a race? 

 

Do you take before or just during? and how often during a race do you use them?

 

[Baksteen]

I will take 1 gel 20km before the end off a race and keep one close just in case I need one more for the last 2km  

[swiss]

Depend on the distance. Over 60km I use 1 half way and another 3/4 of the way. Same for 100km races.

 

Under 60km, only use one 1/2 way with a energy bar 3/4 way.

 

[Elvis]

1 5 min before start and one every hour after that

[Spinnekop]

Gels makes me cramp. 

[Moab]

one every 45mins in a +100km

[Mully]

 

Gels makes me cramp. 

 

Agreed. Don't use them anymore.

 

[skipperw]

depends when my hair gets out of hand.

[Mudsimus]

Eating a gel before you start the race is probably the worst thing you can do. That goes for any sugary food or drinks. The sudden spike in insulin to transport the glucose into the muscles has a negative effect on your body's abilty to burn fat as energy. Thus your body burns muscle glycogen at a higher rate and you will be left for dead at round about 2 hours.

[Andyr249]

depends when my hair gets out of hand.

 

Yeah, the helmet can give you great hairstyles so some gel can help quite a lot!

Depends on the race.

[Hashiem]

 

Eating a gel before you start the race is probably the worst thing you can do. That goes for any sugary food or drinks. The sudden spike in insulin to transport the glucose into the muscles has a negative effect on your body's abilty to burn fat as energy. Thus your body burns muscle glycogen at a higher rate and you will be left for dead at round about 2 hours.

 

100% agree

 

I bonk on race because of using 1 on the start line, never again

 

[Spinnekop]

Thus your body burns muscle glycogen at a higher rate and you will be left for dead at round about 2 hours.

 

So you have to be home within 2 hours.....going to be a BITCHING Argus ride this......

[HappyMartin]

On the start line and every half hour after that I take a hit from the little plastic bottle I decant my gels into. Never had a problem bonking after 2 hours. You really should eat a solid meal at least 2 hours before the race starts.

[Mudsimus]

So you have to be home within 2 hours.....going to be a BITCHING Argus ride this......

 

Its only relevant for races. Not social rides around the mountain.

[Andrew T]

I usually take one every hour. I also try to time them for a few minutes before a big climb if I can

[mtbN00b]

 

Gels makes me cramp. 

 

Agreed. Don't use them anymore.

 

believe it or not but rennies help with cramps. as soon as you feel you are cramping.. take a rennie ...