gels...is it a myth?

[ayceejay]

I don't think anyone claimed they were anything but.

Then you have obviously not read any of the claims from the people who make them.

 

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

Then you have obviously not read any of the claims from the people who make them.

Save us from googling and post some "claims"

 

[ayceejay]

Save us from googling and post some "claims"

Why not read from the packet, 'member that the topic is about the myth rather than the reality.

 

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

Why not read from the packet, 'member that the topic is about the myth rather than the reality.

You stated there were claims made by manufacturers, please provide quotes.

 

[vickster]

I can't personally swallow them, so the choking holds and I expect if I were to choke, sooner or later I'd puke

The OP should give them a try while preparing for the sportive, not on the day

 

[BRounsley]

I once attempted “to gel”, when I got one free with something. It was a lot runnier than I expected. I got very little in my month and the majority on my cycle mitt, which became a sticky gauntlet. I reckon I could have Spidermaned up a glass skyscraper with two gelled gloves.

 

[ayceejay]

You stated there were claims made by manufacturers, please provide quotes.

Get lost

 

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

Get lost

That's not a nice thing for manufacturers to say

 

[winjim]

There's some dissent about that: visit http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2013/07/what-to-eat-before-during-and-after-your-workouts-races/ and browse down to "3 Reasons Not To Eat Concentrated Sugars When You’re Racing" for one view.

If there are over a dozen ingredients you can barely even pronounce, it’s usually a pretty good sign your body is going to have difficulty digesting it during a workout, or that it might not be that great for your long-term health.

Time for this again:

http://io9.com/what-if-natural-products-came-with-a-list-of-ingredient-1503320184

 

[youngoldbloke]

I don't know, I've never paid £75 for a sportive. I assume there is some degree of sponsorship by companies peddling their wares

OK I exagerate, but on the principal of there being no such thing as a free lunch, I reckon you are paying for the 'free' pack somewhere along the line. Aren't Wiggle sportives £30+, and some much more expensive? I'll stick to Audax myself. I do use Hi5 gels rarely, and their low fat energy bars, but a shop bought flapjack works for me, though much higher fat content.

 

[winjim]

Why not read from the packet, 'member that the topic is about the myth rather than the reality.

From their websites

High5:

• Race proven in the World’s toughest competitions
• Real juice flavours for a light refreshing taste
• 23g of carbohydrate
• Caffeine Free
• Easy to carry and open

SIS:
• 22 grams of carbohydrate per gel
• Isotonic formulation delivers energy fast
• Convenient gel format

Nothing too controversial there. I think it's self-regulating, surely if one manufacturer started making unsubstantiated claims, the others would sue them? It's a competitive market.

 

[vickster]

OK I exagerate, but on the principal of there being no such thing as a free lunch, I reckon you are paying for the 'free' pack somewhere along the line. Aren't Wiggle sportives £30+, and some much more expensive? I'll stick to Audax myself. I do use Hi5 gels rarely, and their low fat energy bars, but a shop bought flapjack works for me, though much higher fat content.

I'm doing ride 100 cos it's local and on roads I know but while closed which will be a very different experience, I've never had any interest in any other sportive and audax doesn't appeal as ultimately I'm not really a long distance cyclist. Training consistently to be one would probably goose my joints once and for all!!

 

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

From their websites

High5:

• Race proven in the World’s toughest competitions
• Real juice flavours for a light refreshing taste
• 23g of carbohydrate
• Caffeine Free
• Easy to carry and open

SIS:
• 22 grams of carbohydrate per gel
• Isotonic formulation delivers energy fast
• Convenient gel format

Nothing too controversial there. I think it's self-regulating, surely if one manufacturer started making unsubstantiated claims, the others would sue them? It's a competitive market.

Indeed

I'm doing ride 100 cos it's local and on roads I know but while closed which will be a very different experience, I've never had any interest in any other sportive and audax doesn't appeal as ultimately I'm not really a long distance cyclist. Training consistently to be one would probably goose my joints once and for all!!

As in Prudential London-Surrey?

 

[vickster]

Yes

 

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

Isn't that balloted entry? At least the one I'm in for was