Gel flasks

[Bron]

Does anyone use the gel-flasks that I keep seeing in running shops? Do you put neat gel in them (and if so, then how do you get it all out - it's quite viscous stuff) or are you supposed to dilute the gel?

I thought that a flask tucked into the back pocket of my tri suit would be easier to open than fidling with a gel sachet on my bike.

[KnottedYet]

i used one for a while, but I'm a clutz and the resulting mess was unbearable. (that was back when Clif Shot came in huge tubes so you could transfer it to little bottles)

[Fredwina]

I use the Hammer ones
you do waste less, but like KnottedYet says, you really have to make sure you've got them closed unless you like goo all over the place

[Trekhawk]

I use the Hammer ones
you do waste less, but like KnottedYet says, you really have to make sure you've got them closed unless you like goo all over the place

I use one with my Hammer gel and I really like it. You can put a bit of water in and shake to get the last little bit out. Yep best remember to close them though or it could be a sticky back pocket or bento box.

[Grog]

I haven't done it yet but I plan to use one - which is actually a $1 flask from the drugstore, that closes tight, with a cloth-and-tape handle - for my homemade gels...

[Trek420]

Yep best remember to close them though or it could be a sticky back pocket or bento box.

In the back pocket, in the bike bag ... these always seem to fall over, open and leave a leaking sticky mess. I even ruined a camera once. I'd given up on using gel or keeping the bottle upright. I think it was Velogirl on this board who said some women keep the gel bottle uhm, tucked in your cleavage Zip open the jersey, there it is in the sports bra.

Have not tried that yet but seems like a plan, handy and you know it's gonna stay upright.

[OakLeaf]

Ow, that chafes just thinking about it. And I don't normally chafe there.

[maillotpois]

I think it was Velogirl on this board who said some women keep the gel bottle uhm, tucked in your cleavage Zip open the jersey, there it is in the sports bra.

Have not tried that yet but seems like a plan, handy and you know it's gonna stay upright.

That was actually me - that's where I keep it. Nice and handy. Tends to keep the consistency a little looser, as it stays warm. (Of course in my case, it makes me look like I have a uni-boob. You don't NEED any cleavage to make this work, because I sure don't have any!)

No chafing at all, by the way. YMMV.

[Drtgirl]

I used to use them a lot in adventure racing.

These really only work if you put enough water in there to make it drinkable(you don't want to dilute it too much though).

I just bought this cool waterbottle at the Sea Otter. Its called the Gel Bot and its a 20oz. water bottle with a seperate chamber that holds gel. I haven't tried it yet but it seems like a neat idea. http://www.gel-bot.com/