gels vs sports drinks
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fittycent posted 1 year ago.
cmoose20;64949 wrote:
what are some recomendations on good gels?
I've never had a gel I didn't like, but my favorite is Hammer Raspberry.
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UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
Gels just give you something with more substance, but still let the nutrients get absorbed quickly. You really only need them if you're going about 2 hours or more. I'll take one during an Oly, but lots of friends don't take any. In training, I'll take one every hour while riding (unless I'm eating something else....like Fig Newtons) and every 45 min or so while running.
As far as which one to use, it's a personal preference. Some sit well with some people, while others don't. I never get queezy with any, so I can switch around if I feel like it, but have recently settled with PowerGel after religiously using GU for about a year. Try each kind for a couple weeks to figure out which seems to work best for you.
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-Matt
Not fast enough.
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RV posted 1 year ago.
I go with PowerGel. Like the extra sodium.
Just have to try different ones. And if doing long distance, something that tastes good at hour 1 may turn your stomach at hour 5 or 10 or whenever. Also make sure to take plenty of water when taking a gel - not sports drink.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.
Powergel Strawberry Banana. I have three cases sitting on my shelf from christmas. Good stuff.
I dont like Hammer's taste or they way it sits in my stomach. Hammer tends to not play well with other products. Gu tastes better, but it doesnt play well with my stomach, either.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
RV;64959 wrote:
I go with PowerGel. Like the extra sodium.
That's the reason why I switched. I'd always cramp up a bit after 3 or 4 hours of reasonably hard riding, but with the extra sodium, it happens less now. (At least I think it's the sodium.....couldn't be that I'm getting more fit....haha)
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-Matt
Not fast enough.
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djrez4 posted 1 year ago.
I'm also a huge fan of the Hammer Berry. Excepting the Orange flavor, all of the GUs are too sweet for me. (to consume...chocolate GU has other uses!)
For long distance rides, I usually have one bottle with water, one with sports drink (generally Gatorade because Costco sells it), and a flask of gel.
-Dave
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749 days
solidad posted 1 year ago.
Gel helps to add more Carbo calories. I have been a GU man for years, but like the 4X sodium in PowerGel. I use one every 45 minutes throughout if its a long course. For an oly, I may throw one down before the bike and/or before the run. For a sprint, I don't use them. It only lasts an hour and you should have enough in the reserves to cover the carbo need.
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cayman posted 1 year ago.
Gotta add the gels for longer distances or you could risk slosh belly by just replenishing with liquids, not to mention more peeing on the bike.:D
I do PowerGels too for the added sodium and when my butts draggin' I'll add a 2X caffiene gel. I use Accelerade drink for the added protein, but I'll also use whatever is on the course with no problems.
Do some testing to see what works best for you and your drink of choice and like RV mentioned, gel then water.
john
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
currently when i bike i drink cytomax. it contains electrolytes and stuff that helps lower lactic acid. i havent used any gels before though. my question is that does the cytomax contain all of the same things as a gel would. should i use a gel too.
what are some recomendations on good gels?