Discussion: Favourite sorts of gels

Just a quick one to get some thoughts on peoples favourite gels used during longer adventure races. Just looking for some new ideas to give the taste buds a change. Looking for gels easily available in Australia.

Cliff Blocks. Much better than the gels. Little bit more concentrated (less weight to carry around). And the best part you actually need to chew them :)

Haven't eaten a gel since Clif Bloks came along.

On the Cliff Block packaging, it warns to "always follow consumption with water"... is that actually necessary? How's the best way to time consuming them if one doesn't have water? Eat them just before a water stop?

Without knowing what gels are available in Australia, I'll suggest you go buy 3 or 4 different brands and different flavours. Some brands might upset your stomach right away. Some may not. Same with flavours. All supply the same number of calories per gram but some use different types of sugar to do it. You have to see what works for you.

In a long race, I like lots of variety so I'll take along as many flavours as I can find, and pull them out of my pouch at random. Always a surprise what i'm going to eat.

For long races, I also add a liquid source of calories. Eload upsets me immediately, but Perpetuem from Hammer is fine. You know already, but testing before the race under race-like intensities is pretty important. You could make up lots of bottles before hand and have them on your bike/boat.

Carboshotz do the job for me. Plenty of flavours to choose from, but you'd want to get into some real food after 12 hours or so just so you don't feel so hungry...

http://www.carboshotz.com/

they also do electrolyte tabs and an energy bar...

They're aussie made and available in most bike shops i've been into recently.

The feedback on the three we have in the shop (GU, high5, powerbar gel) is that High5 are similar to GU but more awkward packaging (the're in a more of a tube shape). Powerbar is larger but flatter than the other two.

I find the high5 to be blander flavoured (this is why I prefer them), and most people find the powerbar gels 'gross'.

The most popular is by far GU 'just plain' flavoured.

In terms of performance it is up to personal experimentation.

I like a combination of different gels, one type over longer races just gets really boring.

I personally use GUs and Honey Stingers.

On Extreme time races I also carry along some solid food.

Clif blocks for sure.... they taste like candy. I always take them with a swig of water.

Clif Shots or Clif Blocks.

Pretty much in agreement with everyone else here (personally, it's Espresso Love, Nuun and liquid sugar), but a couple other points.

- Make sure to try new foods/fuels first during training - not when it counts!
- IMO, directions to "take only with water" are of debatable validity - at least at the pace typical of longer ARs. It hasn't made a difference in my experience.
- Not sure what's typical down under, but schwag bags are a great source of free samples.

high5 with caffine. a bit $$, but awesome.

stick with carboshotz and you'll be right. I've never seen Cliff blocks in Aus

try cutting 1cm thick slices from a roll of marzipan and put them in the back pocket of your o-pants. A cheap solution that has worked for me. I admit it doesn't work very well when it's raining or if it is very hot.

If you do not take them (gels/gummies) with water they supposedly suck the water from the sounding cells (ie. the water in your body) to equalize the gradient (ie. same concentration in intestines as in body). This can cause runners diarrhea, not to mention being counter productive since ideally you want your body to absorb things ;)

Tried a few over the years, best results with carbo Shotz. They are fluid enough that I don't gag and can take them without water if necessary. Plenty of flavour variety, some caffeinated and local manufacturer.

Anyone tried the new kind of GU? Twice the price, twice as much in terms of calories/potassium etc., but the same volume as 'normal' GU.

I vote GU Just Plain. Love coffee, but can't stomach coffee flavored gels, taste them for hours afterward.

I was put off by getting margharita and salt flavored Clif blocks in a race goody bag. Do they make flavors that are not quite so flavorful??

The apple Power bar gel I had in Geneva was possibly one of the foulest things I have ever tasted, but it certainly did the trick!