Energy Gels Cycling
I am doing a 100 mile road bike race. What should I carry for food?
There is a feed zone, but I won’t have anyone with me. So I’m looking for something I can carry in a jersey pocket. Should be beneficial in terms of cycling energy, but easy to carry and convenient. I know all about sports bars/gels/etc. I’m thinking more about real food.
Great question. Your performance will sag when you exercise for that long without replenishing the calories you’re burning. The tough part is the body cannot absorb calories as fast as you burn them. The first consideration is whether you are happy to eat the foods, because if the food turns you off, you won’t eat and your performance sags.
The next consideration is density of calories. You want foods that pack a lot of calories into a small size and weight. Fig bars and dried fruits are cyclists’ favorites. I like Clif bars because they have a good mix of protein, carbs, and fat. (I’ve also grown fond of the almond Snicker’s bars but not everyone can eat these.)
These foods will require a good bit of water to dilute them to the point the body can absorb the calories. You want to drink before you’re thirsty and the concentrated foods encourage you to drink. The drinks *taste* better and you drink more.
The point about 2 water bottles is very good. I’ve found that when I need salt (electrolytes), the water with the powder mix tastes better, and when I’ve got plenty of salt and/or carbs, the plain water tastes better. Carrying two bottles allows you try both when you aren’t sure which one you need.
If you’re eating balanced meals before and after, nutrition during the race is mainly concerned with getting calories into the bloodstream at the maximum rate. Taste is perhaps the best indicator of what your body needs. Hydration is a big part of helping the body absorb those calories.
|
|
Nectar Fuel Cells Cycling Energy Gel 24 Multipack Lemon and Lime $56.91 |
|
|
Nectar Fuel Cells Cycling Energy Gel 24 Multipack Light Orange $56.91 |
|
|
Accelerade Accel Energy Gel Rasberry $52.73 |
|
|
Zipvit Caffeine Energy Cherry Cola Gel Pack Road Tri (24 Pack) $69.70 |
|
|
Zipvit Caffeine Energy Blackcurrant Gel Pack Road Tri $69.70 |
|
|
Clif Shot Gel Energy Sachet Razz Box of 24 x 34g $50.50 |
|
|
PowerBar Energy Gel Blasts with Caffeine, Berry Blast 3 BOXES 72 TOTAL NIB $61.99 |
|
|
Torq Energy Gel Rhubarb + Custard x20 Box Bike Running $55.75 |
|
|
Torq Energy Gel Strawberry Yoghurt x20 Box Bike Running $55.75 |
|
|
Torq Energy Gel Black Cherry Yoghurt x20 Box Bike $55.75 |
|
|
Accel Gel Chocolate Energy Gel 24 Pack $46.91 |
|
|
Zipvit Cycling Sports Energy Gel Box 24 X 60ml Zv7 Orange Flavour $52.47 |
|
|
Accel Energy Gel Orange 24 Pack $43.91 |
|
|
Accel Energy Gel Key Lime 24 Pack $43.91 |
|
|
Accel Gel Vanilla 24 Pack Energy Gel $43.91 |
|
|
Clif Shot Energy Gels Vanilla 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
Clif Shot Raspberry Energy Gel 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
Clif Shot Chocolate Energy Gel 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
Honey Stinger Energy Gel: Ginsting; Box of 24 $35.91 |
|
|
Honey Stinger Energy Gel: Assorted Flavors; Box of 24 $35.91 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Mandarin Orange; 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
Carb-Boom Energy Gel: Apple Cinnamon; 24-Pack $44.99 |
|
|
Carb-Boom Energy Gel: Grape Pomegranate; 24-Pack $44.99 |
|
|
Carb-Boom! Energy Gel Apple Cinnamon, 24-Pack $33.93 |
|
|
Honey Stinger Energy Gel: Strawberry; Box of 24 $33.91 |
|
|
Honey Stinger Energy Gel: Gold; Box of 24 $33.91 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Tri Berry; 24-Pack $35.91 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Strawberry/Banana; 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Espresso Love; 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Jet Blackberry; 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Vanilla; 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Chocolate; 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Just Plain; 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Lemon Sublime; 24-Pack $34.91 |
|
|
Clifbar Clif Shot Energy Gel Cycling Food / Nutrition NEW $33.42 |
|
|
Clifbar Clif Shot Energy Gel Cycling Food / Nutrition NEW $33.42 |
|
|
Clifbar Clif Shot Energy Gel Cycling Food / Nutrition NEW $33.42 |
|
|
High5 Energy Gel x 20 Sachets SUMMER FRUITS FLAVOR $26.79 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel Chocolate BOX 24-Pack $38.95 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Tri Berry; 24-Pack $33.99 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Espresso Love; 24-Pack $33.99 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Lemon Sublime; 24-Pack $33.99 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Jet Blackberry; 24-Pack $33.99 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Mandarin Orange; 24-Pack $33.99 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Strawberry/Banana; 24-Pack $33.99 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Just Plain; 24-Pack $33.99 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Chocolate; 24-Pack $33.99 |
|
|
GU Energy Gel: Vanilla; 24-Pack $33.99 |
|
|
Honey Stinger Energy Gel: Strawberry; Box of 24 $38.30 |
|
|
Honey Stinger Energy Gel: Gold; Box of 24 $38.30 |
|
|
Hammer Nutrition JUG – BANANA 26 SERVINGS Nutrition Gel $23.98 Hammer Nutrition JUG – BANANA 26 SERVINGS Nutrition Gel… |
|
|
Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes- Electrolyte Replacement Supplement-Dietary Supplement, 120 Count $16.96 Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes Nutritional Supplements helps prevent cramping, spasms and other heat related issues.Superior cramp preventionGluten-Free and Vegan FriendlyFull-spectrum electrolyte replacement capsulesItem SpecificationsUnit of SaleBottle of 120FlavorN/ATypeCapsuleUseDuring… |
|
|
PowerBar Energy Blasts Gel-Filled Chews, 2.12-Ounce Pouches, (Pack of 12) POWERBAR® GEL BLASTS :: Add PowerBar® Gel Blasts to your pre-run routine to get a boost of energy from this carb-rich recipe with a refreshing liquid gel center. PowerBar® Gel Blasts are the perfect, portable solution to convenient, fast-absorbing energy on the go. 30g carbs, 2g protein, 0g fat…. |
|
|
GU Sports Energy Gel $33.95 Gu Energy Gel has just the right punch to energize you until the end of your race. Gu was created to be digested while exercising, which means no stomach cramping or indigestion during you’re workout. These gels contain maltodextrin, which is the key for your body to get back all those carbohydrates it has been losing and replenish it so you can perform at your peak. This carb combined with fructo… |
|
|
Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews, Cherry Blossom, 1.8-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) $16.99 Honey Stinger ENERGY CHEWS – CHERRY BLOSSOM… |
|
|
Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews – 12 Pack $26.50 While worthy as a wound dressing and known in the Hindu world as one of the five elixirs of immortality, honey is better known as the sweet syrup that we use sometimes rather than sugar to sweeten our coffee or drizzle over our biscuits at breakfast. It’s known to have an easily digestible 1:1 glucose to fructose ratio, similar to the fruit we eat, that allows our bodies to make quick and efficien… |
|
|
Honey Stinger Banana Energy Gel, 1.3-Ounce Gels (Pack of 24) $25.95 FOOD GEL HS BANANA 1.3oz BOX/24… |
|
|
GU Energy Gel Bicycling Shorts $85.00 … |
|
|
Gu Energy Gel UNISEX Bicycling Jersey $80.00 TechniFino creates the perfect environment for heart rate acceleration. Developed with a microfilament linear knit texture that increases stretch and the amount of surfact area. The greater surface area means faster moisture uptake and dispersement and accelerated evaporation for a drier sensation on the skin in warm or cool conditions. Dry Wick & Breathable. Sizes: S, M, L, XL…. |
|
|
Tripp Lite APS700HF 700W 12V DC to AC Inverter with Automatick Line-to-Battery 20-Amp Charger $304.99 The TrippLite 700W 12V DC to AC Inverter has a versatile inverter/charger system with auto-transfer switching serves as an automotive inverter for RVs, over-the-road trucking, conversion vans and fleet service vehicles. The TrippLite 700W 12V DC to AC Inverter has a standalone alternative power source for off-grid, alternative energy or export applications and as an uninterruptible power supply (U… |