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SIS alternatives – what’s your preferred brand of Energy On the Go

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  • January 28, 2018 at 9:11 pm #28085
    Mikerammell

    Hey all,

    I always have an SIS energy gel on me in case I bonk and if I’m planning 100k or more I’ll usually have a couple and a bar. I was recently about to place an order for another couple of boxes, but paused to think for a second that I’ve never really considered other brands of energy gels and bars. 

    I dont use use them often, just for extra long rides and what not, but in a bid to explore new flavours and textures I thought I’d perhaps see what else you all use. 

    I don’t use whey or protein, but would be curious to know if you do as part of your regim and what your preferred brand is?

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Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 33 total)
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  • February 14, 2018 at 7:01 pm #911235
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    Welsh boy

    Fig rolls 

    Fig rolls 

    February 13, 2018 at 2:01 pm #911233
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    MoutonDeMontagne

    Usually High 5 gels, the non

    Usually High 5 gels, the non caffine apple and orange being my favourite. Find they’re much runnier and thus go down quicker. Have stopped using bars, and replaced with things like Fruisli rasin and hazelnut cereal bars.  Nature valley are my favourite, but are the driest thing in the world to eat while riding. 

    Drink wise, get on really well with Torq natural energy. The best thing being its completely tasteless, so doesn’t have that sickly sweet flavour that makes you want to vom when riding in warm weather. 

    Deviations from the above. I really like Cliff blocks, a nice hybrid between gels and sweets. In emergencies, a can of coke and a packet of fruit pastels/winegums 

    On the whole I’ve attempted to stop using gels for general riding and keep them for emergencies or events, mostly as I got a rollocking from the dentist! 

    February 13, 2018 at 1:46 pm #911231
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    Boatsie

    Found a box of these. Reads
    Found a box of these. Reads like a pro energy boost although it might put you off licking cream from flapjacks.

    February 1, 2018 at 11:19 pm #911229
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    ktache

    Make your own flapjacks, I

    Make your own flapjacks, I use a version of the grren and black recipe with lots of dried fruit and some seeds to replace some of the oats.

    And jelly babies for later in the ride.

    February 1, 2018 at 10:47 pm #911227
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    Gavlee

    Aldi has a good variety of
    Aldi has a good variety of fruit, muesli and other proten/carbohydrate type bars that are great for longer rides. I’m lucky in that most gels agree with me in a pinch so not restricted. Zipvits are by far the best I use especially their caffeine versions, double the carbs of most and the caffeine content is obvious within 10mins.

    January 31, 2018 at 3:28 am #911225
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    Boatsie

    Zermattjohn wrote:

    Zermattjohn wrote:

    Have you tried making your own stuff? Obviously gels are a tad tricky, but a homemade flapjack or ricecake costs literally pennies per bar once you’ve made a batch, and you are able to tweak the recipe to your own needs/tastes. There’s lots of recipes/advice out there, lots on youtube which helps too. I am a total dunce in the kitchen and if I can do it, you certainly can!

    I steam veggies as my best dinner effort. I like dried fruit and nuts as boost energy snacks. Easy to contain, easy to carry. Nut fat pretty good not being a nutritional expert or similar. Cooler days normal fruit if I can find any.
    A small container of protein powder might suit some riders. Add, shake, drink.
    Mates mother in law makes rum balls. They’re tasty and alcoholic. Depends whether you will blow in some blokes bag though and when that’s not enough he’ll make you lick his stick and if rum balls were your fancy you’ll have to pay him for his privileged job.
    Just go nuts bro, high energy.

    January 29, 2018 at 9:00 pm #911223
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    Grub

    +1 for High5 gels, but try to

    +1 for High5 gels, but try to only use them later on in longer rides. SIS/ High5/Clif bars but also ‘proper’ food (eg malt-loaf) for early on during rides. 

    January 29, 2018 at 8:53 pm #911221
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    steve_s1

    I was sceptical of these

    I was sceptical of these energy drinks etc. but in the last couple of years I’ve been testing some products and now use High 5 energy drink all the time. May be partly in my mind, but it seems to keep me going and tastes good – not too sweet. I don’t get on with gels …they just make a sticky mess of everything!

    January 29, 2018 at 8:38 pm #911219
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    zzk

    There’s nothing wrong with

    There’s nothing wrong with ordinary food if you are just going steady, but the benefit of gels probably comes when you are pushing hard and the guts not getting its usual plentiful blood supply or to have tucked away as a “get you home” when ambition has exceeded ability. I for one would strgggle to neck a Snickers in a race and guarantee I’d get abdominal discomfort bad enough to pull me up.With gels there’s the choice between isotonic or not and caffeine loaded or not. Isotonic are best if you struggle with fluids and are usually a runnier consistency, caution spillage. The hyper-tonic gels really should be taken with fluids. To me High 5 isogels are easy on the guts and taste ok, SIS a favourite too. I like OTE products, but hardly ever discounted. I go for what’s on offer and flavours are much of muchness and personal preference. Never have I thought how pleasant a gel tasted when I’ve been chewing my stem in a race. 

     

    January 29, 2018 at 6:17 pm #911217
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    Morat

    Bacon

    Bacon

    January 29, 2018 at 4:29 pm #911215
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    Pilot Pete

    I’ve always got on with CNP

    I’ve always got on with CNP cycling specific energy food/ gels…

    PP

    January 29, 2018 at 4:23 pm #911213
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    Lazereyes

    I am not a big fan of SiS

    I am not a big fan of SiS their gels a bit too thick and flavoursome, could use slight dillution and their bars are much too hard to eat on the bike and PowerBars and Cliff bars are a bit too dry to enjoy on the go

    I do enjoy high5 as they are more liquid and slightly less gross when stored in your jersey on a hot day,

    I wholeheartedly reccomend Chia Charge bars, not only on the bike but as a snack!

    Additionaly Feed Zone Portables book have great recipes

     

    January 29, 2018 at 3:54 pm #911211
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    part_robot

    Flapjacks from Sainsbury’s or

    Flapjacks from Sainsbury’s or, if I forget to buy them the day before, some  of those heavy skanky ones from a filling station. So little energy in them damn gels I can’t justify filling up my jersey pockets with them… not to mention stowing the used ones away somewhere without leaking when you’re far from a bin. Waste of money, imo.

    Noteworthy that if I have a high fat, high protein meal before I don’t need anything up to about 100km.

    January 29, 2018 at 3:43 pm #911209
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    Grahamd
    BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
    In lieu of taking ones own food locate a place before the ride so you know where you can stop to get victuals.

    Great until said cafe is closed unexpectedly and there is nothing else open for another 15 miles! Happened to me once, have always carried gels as a back up ever since.

    p.s. I always carry an extra gel in case I meet a stranded cyclist, have done so ever since I received some help, but in two years have never seen anyone in need.

    January 29, 2018 at 2:01 pm #911207
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    Zermattjohn

    Have you tried making your

    Have you tried making your own stuff? Obviously gels are a tad tricky, but a homemade flapjack or ricecake costs literally pennies per bar once you’ve made a batch, and you are able to tweak the recipe to your own needs/tastes. There’s lots of recipes/advice out there, lots on youtube which helps too. I am a total dunce in the kitchen and if I can do it, you certainly can!

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