High 5 Gels/drinks

[lesley_x]

Just took advantage of the Halfords High 5 race pack deal, having been caught short a few times in summer and had to dive into a shop for jelly tots

Didn't quite realise how much stuff came in it (pretty amazing deal tbh) and now I have gels coming out my ears, which is fine. But I read quite a lot of people get stomach cramps/diarrhoea/vomiting when using gels and energy drinks.

Have you had these problems, and in particular with high 5 stuff? How can it be avoided?

Cheers

 

[the_mikey]

I don't rely on gels, but I do keep a couple in my saddle bag when going on a long ride, I prefer to eat proper food but sometimes this isn't always possible.

I've never had cramps from gels, but some products that contain protein have been known to cause bad gas.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

All you can do it try. http://www.energygelcentral.com/energy-gel-basics/gi-distress

 

[ianrauk]

Gels seem to go right through me.
High 5 drinks, I use just the one tab in a bidon during the summer, and if I have no tabs then squash with a pinch of salt added does fine. And to be honest unless you are a highly toned, racing cycling athlete, there really is no point in wasting money on gels or tabs.

 

[400bhp]

I seem to get stomach cramps with technical food when a) I am doing more than 60 miles and b) technical food is the only food I have had.

I live and learnt.

 

[Colin S]

Graeme Obree suggests marzipan as an energy food. I tried it and it is surprisingly easy to eat if you break it up into bite sized pieces before you put it in your pocket. That and a drink of diluted orange juice or water.

C

 

[MikeW-71]

I've had no problems with the High5 drinks and gels and they (mostly) taste nice too. The Citrus gels are revolting though.

I don't use them a lot though, I'll take one with me for emergency as they seem to get into the system quicker than solid food, but I prefer to just stop for a few minutes and have a bit of flapjack or something.

If it's a hot day, I'll drop a Zero tab into my bottles.

 

[SS Retro]

I have been buying these boxes for about a year now at £9.99 (just stocked up via the Halfords offer). My wife complains that every time she opens a kitchen cupboard another High5 bottle jumps out at her!

Prefer high5 to SiS, one of the caffeine energy gels just before I set off works well for me.

 

[openroad]

For me I just take squash and water and may take a bit of marzipan from now!!!It's just case of finding what suits you.

 

[JoeyB]

I picked up two of those race packs today...even the wife was impressed with the amount of stuff supplied (that and she bagged one of the bottles for the gym).

I have a couple of boxes of High5 gels and I don't have an issue with them. I always take 2 or 3 on rides in case I get my timings wrong for food stops etc.

 

[the_mikey]

I've had no problems with the High5 drinks and gels and they (mostly) taste nice too. The Citrus gels are revolting though.

I don't use them a lot though, I'll take one with me for emergency as they seem to get into the system quicker than solid food, but I prefer to just stop for a few minutes and have a bit of flapjack or something.

If it's a hot day, I'll drop a Zero tab into my bottles.

I like Nuun tabs, grape is my favourite, that or strawberry lemonade. Banana high5 gels taste ok.

 

[Peteaud]

The zero tabs are ok.

I quite like the energy drink for flavour, cant remember what one it was, lemon and lime or citrus i think.

Did try Zipvit Kiwi gel and not bad, Torq Cherry yoghurt is very nice tho, and i carry one just in case on long rides.

 

[medavidcook]

I tend to use the tabs whenever i am training, and the gels when doing endurance events and they have been amazing, no cramps, diarrhoea etc

 

[400bhp]

Graeme Obree suggests marzipan as an energy food. I tried it and it is surprisingly easy to eat if you break it up into bite sized pieces before you put it in your pocket. That and a drink of diluted orange juice or water.

C

marzipan :shudder:

 

[vickster]

I like the pink grapefruit hi five zero. Gels though, yech, I can't physically swallow them