Gels?

[jefmcg]

I went of my first Cycle Club ride on Sunday, and despite a lot of mileage I was struggling. I know why: most of my cycling is commuting, and with traffic lights and traffic, my moving average is around 20kph. When I find a route without lights, it's still 21-22kph, so cycle club speeds 24-30kph are a stretch. I know what to do about it, train at higher speeds ... but....

...the cycle club member who looked after me asked if I had a gel, obviously seeing a needed a boost. I didn't, but I'd also had oatmeal for breakfast; a cake and cappuccino 20km back; and I had refilled my water bottle with Oasis. Seems to me I'd have plenty of glycogen in my blood stream, I just wasn't able to use it.

Would a gel have done anything except a placebo boost? Honestly, I really didn't want anything sweet, so if she'd offered me one, I would have said no.

 

[Rob3rt]

How far was the ride? How long were you cycling?

I would say, if you want to try it, buy a few and carry one with you BUT, only use it if you are really struggling. This way you will find if it gives any advantage (placebo or otherwise, and lets be honest, who cares as long as it gets the job done) without coming to be psychologically dependant on them.

TBH, a better idea IMO would be to eat a little every now and then while riding, a jelly baby every now and then, or a bite of malt loaf, a fig roll etc.

 

[ianrauk]

A jelly baby (or 10) or a fig roll (from LongMartins stash) are just as good as gels, which I really do find yuk.

 

[Peter Armstrong]

I have a big tub of lucazade powder, I just put a scoop in one of my water bottles, seems to work and is cheaper than buying aload of food, gels or other stuff.

 

[MrJamie]

Gels do seem to give a good boost of energy when you're really struggling i find, but only for a short time and theyre gross and sticky. Jelly babies are a good option and comparitively very cheap

 

[amaferanga]

Its a club run, not a race. You don't need gels. Just eat normal food (like it sounds you did) and ignore that guy in your club. You were probably fatigued from riding further and/or faster than normal.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

gels with caffeine!! great for getting you up that damned hill on a long run!!!

 

[Rob3rt]

I bite at a big lump of malt loaf throughout a ride, probably looks a bit wierd whipping out 1/3rd of a maltloaf, necking a mouthful then stuffing it back in my jersey, but it really does get the job done! I do also eat fig rolls when out riding, but I try not to overdo it with those, also I find them to be quite good at giving me a dry mouth and can be hard to swallow if I am riding at tempo.

 

[defy-one]

Greanola bar for me. Usually at the 30 mile point on the commute home

 

[jefmcg]

Thanks everyone.

I'm really ok with food on rides, even long ones. Did the Dunwich Dynamo with (slow) ease, snacking on baguettes and brownies from my saddle bag along the way: don't think I touched the jelly babies even. I guess I was just wondering if there was any "magic" in gels.

Aside: I like food. If I was working as hard as Wiggo, I'd probably have to find industrial food: protein shakes etc just to suck down the calories. But I'd much rather spend my "calorie allowance" on things I enjoy eating, rather than factory designed food pills. Hmm, smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel; lemon drizzle cake; Paul's montagnard baguette; pie; ice cream; fruit; bacon roll://

http://www.strava.com/runs/19766224 (gel offer came right at the end of the ride)

 

[Lee_M]

Gels are disgusting, but I do find they work for me, did a ride a few weeks ago and was really struggling at the ha;lfway mark, had a gel and 5 minutes later I was flying. Dont really care if it was real or placebo!

Now if only they can make them less disgusting

 

[jefmcg]

Gels are disgusting, but I do find they work for me, did a ride a few weeks ago and was really struggling at the ha;lfway mark, had a gel and 5 minutes later I was flying. Dont really care if it was real or placebo!

Now if only they can make them less disgusting

I'm guessing you hadn't had a cake and coffee in the last hour?

 

[Lee_M]

nope, but a cake and a coffee require a stop (well the coffee does), and a gel doesnt

 

[BrumJim]

Gels are supposedly better than jelly babies in that the formulation of sugars used is more optimal for absorbtion into the blood stream and usage by the body. As to whether I'd notice the difference is a matter of opinion. I'm not convinced I would.

 

[Zofo]

Gels with caffeine are the best-keep them for the end of a long ride,when your likely to need MAX boost. Remember to drink with them, just a swig or two otherwise they dont work as well.