I've been using high simple sugar drinks in my bottles -- Cytomax, Accelerade, Extran. I recently decided to give Hammer Nutrition's stuff a try. Their gel and liquids have very little sugar and are made of complex carbs that supposedly give a more even energy burn over time.
On the sugary stuff, I'm fine for 90 mins per 20oz or so bottle, which has maybe 150-175 calories. With the low sugar, high complex carb, I never felt energetic, even after taking a couple of hits of their gel. I took in maybe 800 calories over 3 hours, yet I was flat feeling until hours afterward as well. Note that this was easy riding, at 135 bpm average.
I'm curious to hear what works/doesn't work for others in the 2-4 hour ride range.
Maltodextrin. I buy it in bulk and mix up my own drink/gel to be as potent a fuel as I will need. Slow-release carb is the way to go for me. I hate taking a ClifShot or a PowerGel and riding like the wind for 30 minutes only to crash land when the sugar high passes.
Originally posted by rollers I hate taking a ClifShot or a PowerGel and riding like the wind for 30 minutes only to crash land when the sugar high passes.
So take one every 30 min and ride like the wind for your entire ride! 🙂
I actually like Gu and the like just for that reason--they act almost immediately, and give you a boost that lasts for 30-45 min. which can be a lifesaver, kind of like those cans of Coke you see Tour riders slugging down before the final climb. Hammergel products, potatoes, etc are better for longer rides where you take the product early in the ride to sustain your energy levels hours later.
If the ride is less than 2 hours, you should do fine on water or sports drink, and keep a gel in your pocket if you need it. I think the most important part is proper fueling pre and post-ride.
Originally posted by Memphmann Two words: pure ephedrene....
Memph
Now there's rocket science in action right there. Anyone reading this thread, please ignore this Memph numbskull (most of his other posts on other threads warrant the same treatment). Ephedrine (spelling it right, jacka**) is banned by the NFL for a reason. Do ya like increased risk of heat strokes, heart attacks, and all that other good stuff? Well, then ephedra is for you!
Don't bother testifying to its merits. Bad mojo, brother.
this is something I have been working with. my ride is about 1 hour 10 miles twice a day to work and back. I don't wan to suck down anything I don't really need so I can loose weight. when I get up at about 8 am I try to drink a big glass of orange juice and two banana's and maybe another piece of fruit. then around nine I eat breakfast. I am alergic to some grains and my body does not seem to care for them for energy anyway. I have beens and meat or eggs or somthing somewhat low carb ( I just started eating beans I thought they caused problems bu it was the grains) I go on my ride around 10 or 10:30 but if I am later 11:00 or 11:30 I have even more energy. any idea's on getting more energy earlier? I tried not eating anything but fruit but when I got to wok I was starving and had weak legs (I had planned on eating lunch when I got there)
Originally posted by stevek this is something I have been working with. my ride is about 1 hour 10 miles twice a day to work and back. I don't wan to suck down anything I don't really need so I can loose weight. when I get up at about 8 am I try to drink a big glass of orange juice and two banana's and maybe another piece of fruit. then around nine I eat breakfast. I am alergic to some grains and my body does not seem to care for them for energy anyway. I have beens and meat or eggs or somthing somewhat low carb ( I just started eating beans I thought they caused problems bu it was the grains) I go on my ride around 10 or 10:30 but if I am later 11:00 or 11:30 I have even more energy. any idea's on getting more energy earlier? I tried not eating anything but fruit but when I got to wok I was starving and had weak legs (I had planned on eating lunch when I got there)
Originally posted by Aztec Try reversing the order of those two meals.
Get the book "South Beach Diet" for losing weight and still consuming carbs.
Also.......I was on the atkins plan for 4 months and lost 40#.... Beans---pinto, white, black, kidney, etc.........look up the carb content.......loads of carbs! The only safe beans are "green beans".
Carbs before riding, so you can burn them, protein after the ride to recover......that seems to be the diet of choice.
Originally posted by trekchic Get the book "South Beach Diet" for losing weight and still consuming carbs.
Also.......I was on the atkins plan for 4 months and lost 40#.... Beans---pinto, white, black, kidney, etc.........look up the carb content.......loads of carbs! The only safe beans are "green beans".
Carbs before riding, so you can burn them, protein after the ride to recover......that seems to be the diet of choice.
Just my 2 cents worth!
I know they have carbs. one reason I eat them. I could not eat enough fat to get much energy on a real low carb diet. I f I did not eat about 4 piece of fruit a day I could hardly lift my arms. bu I am loosing about a pound a week right now. thats with a bit of candy thrown in besides (G)
Originally posted by Aztec I've been using high simple sugar drinks in my bottles -- Cytomax, Accelerade, Extran. I recently decided to give Hammer Nutrition's stuff a try. Their gel and liquids have very little sugar and are made of complex carbs that supposedly give a more even energy burn over time.
On the sugary stuff, I'm fine for 90 mins per 20oz or so bottle, which has maybe 150-175 calories. With the low sugar, high complex carb, I never felt energetic, even after taking a couple of hits of their gel. I took in maybe 800 calories over 3 hours, yet I was flat feeling until hours afterward as well. Note that this was easy riding, at 135 bpm average.
I'm curious to hear what works/doesn't work for others in the 2-4 hour ride range.
don't waste money on expensive energy drinks a codrial that is made to a high concentraction with a pinch of salt to help to replace salt that is lost is the same as sis energy drink.
