Energy Gels for Endurance Sports
Vanilla PowerBar Gel
Nutritional Gels
I always thought those gooey gel packs were for macho men. A few years ago, when I first started biking, every so often I tried choking down a gel pack, but could never get past the “I’m eating baby food” stage. But my husband and I started doing some longer bike rides while training for our first century ride with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. I was experiencing major bonking half way into any rides lasting over 30 miles, so my husband kept bugging me to try the gels again.
Raw Cake Batter Anyone?
My husband said the gel packs have a much better consistency when cold. So now we bring a small cooler, filled with ice, in our vehicle on our longer rides. I like the double latte, chocolate and vanilla flavors of the PowerBar gel packs. It’s almost like eating raw cake batter and doesn’t remind me so much of baby food anymore. I also really like the vanilla bean flavor of Gu Energy Gel packs by Gu Energy. Gu Energy also makes a seasonal chocolate mint flavor of their gel, which is available during the holiday season.
Century Ride Fuel
On Sunday, October 26th we’ll be riding our road bikes 102.5 miles at the 20th Intracoastal Century Ride in Cocoa Beach, Florida. I estimate I will burn between 5,500 and 6,000 calories during this ride, while my husband, who is quite a bit larger than me, will burn between 8,000 and 8,500 calories. That is a lot of energy! We will be carrying quite a few gel packs with us, in our under seat bike bags, and in the back pocket of our cycling jerseys.
Rest Stop Snacks
There are 5 scheduled rest stops along the bike ride route. Although there will be food, such as bananas, cookies and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the rest stops, the rest stops usually don’t have gel packs available. I’ve been telling all our Team in Training cycle team members that they will need to carry their own gel packs with them to get through the ride. That means we’ll be eating them warm, but I will probably need between 6 and 8 gel packs, at a minimum, to get me through the ride.
Gel Pack Details
Most gel packs contain between 100 and 120 calories per package. So eating 6 to 8 gel packs is only 600 to 960 calories. A far cry from the almost 6,000 calories that I will burn throughout the ride. But I will be taking advantage of all the food that is available at the rest stops, including eating plenty of bananas, which are high in potassium, to help prevent leg cramps. There are also a few calories in the electrolyte drinks which I will be carrying in my water bottles all day long. The rest stops will have water and Gatorade available, for refilling our water bottles.
Instant Energy
PowerBar chocolate gel packs contain 120 calories per 1.44 ounce (41 gram) package. The gel packs are easy to digest, and act like instant energy. Gel packs provide a boost of carbohydrates and electrolytes. Each gel pack should be followed by a few ounces of water. Gel packs are the perfect instant energy source for endurance athletes of all types including runners, cyclists and triathletes.
Image at top of post used courtesy PowerBar.
Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva
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