Do water aditives / energy drinks , energy gels and bars ......help.

[Doug.]

Regarding the above, I accept one needs to hydrate but do the above really help ?
Could it be water is enough.
Or are some of the above effective to maintain strength and / or increase energy levels (plenty to choose from )
I have tried various brands and I am undecided as to their effectiveness.
The same applies to "recovery" drinks ......any good ?
Your opinions please.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I mostly use water or natural energy drinks like a beetroot, apple and blackcurrant mix which you can buy in the supermarket here.
I also have a blender, so can mix my own too

 

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

Is search broken?

 

[Dogtrousers]

On a very hot day you could potentially end up with hyponatresmia (low sodium) or hypomagnesmia (low magnesium) or something like that if you are sweating buckets and drinking just water.

I eat lots on long rides (normally ordinary foodstuffs but I do use an isotonic drink in my bottle), and I don't think I'd be happy with just water.

 

[vickster]

Depends how far I'm going, normally I rely on water and em skinny latte I did try an SIS electrolyte drink, it was very sweet even though diluted more than suggested. I'm experimenting for ride London, due to the distance, the fact it should be warm in August and as I won't be able to stop for latte every 20 miles!

Energy bars, again, most seem pretty nasty in taste and texture. Torq organic mango went down ok yesterday. Flapjack and cake are nicer and probably cheaper though!

Gels I have but last time I tried a bit I couldn't swallow it, so I'm reserving judgment there. I prefer jelly babies!

Plenty of people say diluted squash or juice with a pinch of salt work just as well as the synthetic drinks. Then a pint of fresh (chocolate) milk for recovery

nutrition and hydration do get asked about a lot, so perhaps have a squizz through other threads

 

[screenman]

I am sure they have their uses and have used them myself on long rides and racing, however I feel for some they are becoming an addictive crutch.

Not forgetting of course the calorie content of a few of them

 

[jack smith]

I use gels and hydration tablets, the tabkets seem to work well both the caffine ones and electorite ones, as for gels they are good for a fast convinient boost but you get a hell of alot more from a snickers or other sorts of sweets.

 

[Citius]

Regarding the above, I accept one needs to hydrate but do the above really help ?
Could it be water is enough.
Or are some of the above effective to maintain strength and / or increase energy levels (plenty to choose from )
I have tried various brands and I am undecided as to their effectiveness.
The same applies to "recovery" drinks ......any good ?
Your opinions please.

For gereral rides under two hours - no. For racing, maybe a different conversation.

 

[simon.r]

I've recently started using High 5 tablets for 2 hour + rides and I think they help me feel a little less worn out. But how much is psychological I wouldn't like to say.

 

[vickster]

I am sure they have their uses and have used them myself on long rides and racing, however I feel for some they are becoming an addictive crutch.

Not forgetting of course the calorie content of a few of them

The calories shouldn't really be an issue though if riding far enough to actually need energy drinks/bars/gels

 

[screenman]

The calories shouldn't really be an issue though if riding far enough to actually need energy drinks/bars/gels

I agree, but amongst the people I know who use them, well most are in need of a few days of negative calories. Also funny but for some reason it is the slower guys who seem to use them the most, my experience only amongst a small group of about 25 guys.