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Good Gels?

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Mountain Bikes
Published
17 September 2003
Last activity
20 September 2003
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Binary
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  1. I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart to
    pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain the
    caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still giving
    some energy?

    --

    Regards, Greg P.

    Golden Rule of Open-Source Programming: "Don't whine about something unless you plan to implement
    it yourself"

  2. "Binary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    --

    Regards, Greg P.


    Greg, Use unsalted peanuts and mixed dried fruit (raisins etc, not apricots/bannanas). Cheap and
    very efficient. Wash down with a couple of mouthfulls of water. I first used them in March to ride
    an end to end of the UK. I was so impressed I now use them for everything I do from MTB'ing to rock
    climbing and swimming. Running out of energy is now a thing of the past, doesn't even come into the
    equation ;-) They don't sit heavy in the stomach and the dried fruit provides an energy hit almost
    immediately with the peanuts kicking in a bit later and going on for longer. Unfashionable, I know
    but very effective.....er..unless your allergic to nuts, of course, in which case it could prove
    fatal ;-) HTH, Dave.

  3. "Binary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    Info about gels:

    cptips.comgelown.htm

    These don't contain caffeine:

    carbboom.comproductinfo.html

    honeystinger.comabout.html

    - CA-G

    Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

  4. "Binary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    --

    Regards, Greg P.

    hammergel.comhammergel.com

    Best stuff out there (IMHO).

  5. "James Calivar" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    hammergel.comhammergel.com

    Best stuff out there (IMHO).

    That stuff tastes like [censored] and gives me serious heartburn. He was looking for a gel, sans caffeine.
    I think this has caffeine.

    - CA-G

    Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

  6. there are some of the GU gels that do not contain caffeine. Just look at the top of the tear off section. It should say if it does or doesn't.

  7. Binary said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    In my experience, GU is a powerful toxin. During normal riding, it makes me feel cheesey. During a
    race it has given me a near-puke experience. Clif-shot seems to be a little less volatile, even the
    caffeine ones (but I'm a bad coffee addict, so the effect on me is probably not worth comparison).

    The only on-the-bike food that I heartily recommend is hammergel. Info at
    hammernutrition.comhammernutrition.com

    I get it in a pint (or so) sized container and it comes with a small flask. So no little foil packet
    to become useless litter, and it's not single-portion. I have a flask holster that mounts on my
    stem, so I can grab the flask, take as much or as little as I want, and put it back while riding.

    My gel flask was pretty much the difference between full dead-stop bonk and partial, numb legs
    semi-bonk in a race this past Sunday (maybe not a hearty recommendation, but I had other
    problems--never mind).

    It has NO gut-bomb effect, at least for me. Very effective energy boost, and I really like not
    wasting the stupid little gu packets.
    --
    Tom Purvis - arkansasvalley.nettpurvis Salida, CO

  8. "Binary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    Try Betty Crocker cake frosting.

    JD

  9. Quoted message said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    I use PowerGel by PowerBar. Their new formula has a thinner consistency (similar to Hammergel) and
    you can get it flavors with or without caffiene.
    --
    "I tried lube, careful prying, careful digging and even not so careful digging. Little chunks of
    rubber." --Sad Bob

  10. Tom Purvis said:
    Binary said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    In my experience, GU is a powerful toxin. During normal riding, it makes me feel cheesey. During a
    race it has given me a near-puke experience. Clif-shot seems to be a little less volatile, even
    the caffeine ones (but I'm a bad coffee addict, so the effect on me is probably not worth
    comparison).

    The only on-the-bike food that I heartily recommend is hammergel. Info at
    hammernutrition.comhammernutrition.com

    I get it in a pint (or so) sized container and it comes with a small flask. So no little foil
    packet to become useless litter, and it's not single-portion. I have a flask holster that
    mounts on my stem, so I can grab the flask, take as much or as little as I want, and put it
    back while riding.

    My gel flask was pretty much the difference between full dead-stop bonk and partial, numb legs
    semi-bonk in a race this past Sunday (maybe not a hearty recommendation, but I had other
    problems--never mind).

    It has NO gut-bomb effect, at least for me. Very effective energy boost, and I really like not
    wasting the stupid little gu packets.
    --
    Tom Purvis - arkansasvalley.nettpurvis Salida, CO

    I'm still not sure what "long-chain maltodextrin" is. You can buy "regular" maltodextrin or
    dextrose for cheap, and just put some light salt in it. You carry the power and mix it with water.
    If you're looking for the cheapest alternative, this is it. It's not as convenient (it's not a
    gel), but it's easy.

    --
    Bob M in CT Remove 'x.' to reply

  11. "Carla A-G" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "James Calivar" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    hammergel.comhammergel.com

    Best stuff out there (IMHO).

    That stuff tastes like [censored] and gives me serious heartburn. He was looking for a gel, sans
    caffeine. I think this has caffeine.

    - CA-G

    Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

    Uh, no...no caffeine in Hammergel. And it tastes OK to me. Plus, I'm not looking for taste, I'm
    looking for performance. You go ahead and keep drinking Gatordade Ice (tm).

    I put some Hammergel mixed with water into my Camelbak and it works great for me. And it's a lot
    cheaper than other gels since you buy it in bulk.

    James

  12. "James Calivar" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "Carla A-G" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "James Calivar" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    hammergel.comhammergel.com

    Best stuff out there (IMHO).

    That stuff tastes like [censored] and gives me serious heartburn. He was


    looking

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    for a gel, sans caffeine. I think this has caffeine.

    - CA-G

    Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

    Uh, no...no caffeine in Hammergel. And it tastes OK to me. Plus, I'm not looking for taste, I'm
    looking for performance. You go ahead and keep drinking Gatordade Ice (tm).

    What the hell is Gatordade Ice??? Never had any, never heard of it.

    - CA-G

    Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

  13. I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while

    Quoted message said:

    riding...but they cause my heart to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything
    like them that doesn't contain the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes
    it so potent)...but while still giving some energy?

    --

    Regards, Greg P.

    Golden Rule of Open-Source Programming: "Don't whine about something unless you plan to implement
    it yourself"

    I don't want to sound negative in the least bit, but I remember back a few years when I was in the
    military and exerted my body way past it's potential (much farther than I do when I ride) and I
    drove on and continued at peak performance from nothing more than conditioning and proper hydration.
    I simply don't believe in technological advances in performance products. I still train my body to
    do what I need it to do and when I cant make it as far as I want....I train harder.

  14. "Binary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    --

    Regards, Greg P.

    Golden Rule of Open-Source Programming: "Don't whine about something unless you plan to implement
    it yourself"

    You could make your own and control what goes in it:

    dirtragmag.comarticle.php

    I've made several batches of the "with soy protein" version and have had very good results.

    This recipe costs about 1/10th per serving of what the packets of gu/powergel will run you. Taste is
    just ok, but you can always add your own flavorings. I don't think you're going to get the taste to
    be as good as the commercial stuff, but it's just something I swallow and chase with water anyway.

    You'll need a Gu flask to drink it, but if you know anyone who's been buying HammerGel a while, they
    should have 10 or 20 spares.

    Craig

  15. "Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    "Binary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my
    heart to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't
    contain the caffeine


    (or

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but


    while

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    still giving some energy?

    --

    Regards, Greg P.


    Greg, Use unsalted peanuts and mixed dried fruit (raisins etc, not apricots/bannanas). Cheap and
    very efficient. Wash down with a couple of mouthfulls of water. I first used them in March to ride
    an end to end of


    the

    Quoted message said:

    UK. I was so impressed I now use them for everything I do from MTB'ing to rock climbing and
    swimming. Running out of energy is now a thing of the past, doesn't even come into the equation
    ;-) They don't sit heavy in the stomach and the dried fruit provides an energy hit almost
    immediately with the peanuts kicking in a bit later and going


    on

    Quoted message said:

    for longer. Unfashionable, I know but very effective.....er..unless your allergic to nuts, of
    course, in which case it could prove fatal ;-) HTH, Dave.

    WOW!!...it's almost as if I never said anything ;-)

  16. "Binary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    --

    Regards, Greg P.

    Golden Rule of Open-Source Programming: "Don't whine about something unless you plan to implement
    it yourself"

    I like to use those jelly/jam packs you get from restaurants when you order breasfast. I'ts free.
    Spending a buck or more doesn't appeal to me since I usually get dropped no matter what anyway.

  17. James Calivar said:


    Uh, no...no caffeine in Hammergel. And it tastes OK to me. Plus, I'm not looking for taste, I'm
    looking for performance. You go ahead and keep drinking Gatordade Ice (tm).

    I put some Hammergel mixed with water into my Camelbak and it works great for me. And it's a lot
    cheaper than other gels since you buy it in bulk.

    I'll bet that's fun to clean out...

    Kathleen

  18. "Kathleen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    James Calivar said:


    Uh, no...no caffeine in Hammergel. And it tastes OK to me. Plus, I'm not looking for taste, I'm
    looking for performance. You go ahead and keep drinking Gatordade Ice (tm).

    I put some Hammergel mixed with water into my Camelbak and it works


    great

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    for me. And it's a lot cheaper than other gels since you buy it in bulk.

    I'll bet that's fun to clean out...

    Kathleen

    It's not really a problem. Just make sure to rinse the bladder and feedline briefly after a ride,
    and hang it up to dry (all of which I do anyway after a ride). It's a very weak solution and is not
    so viscous that it sticks to the inside of the bladder or hose.

    J

  19. On Sat20Sep03-2123

    Quoted post said:

    I have tried the GU Energy Gels for performance before and while riding...but they cause my heart
    to pound really badly and get short of breath. Is there anything like them that doesn't contain
    the caffeine (or whatever the stimulant combination is that makes it so potent)...but while still
    giving some energy?

    Just munch on a fizzer.

    --

    QUIPd 1.02: (638 of 642) -> You can talk till you're blue in the face, but my wife will -> continue
    to use "xerox" as a verb. And reporters will continue -> to use "hackers" to refer to Script
    Kiddies. -- Larry Wall
    ##2055 #'Mandrake Linux.'

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