I did have to have a prescription for the gel. At first my doc was a little reluctant--wanted to give me pills. I finally won him over. And the good news is that my insurance paid and I only had to pay a co-pay. I'm going on a 60 miler tomorrow (if the weather co-operates) and I'll let y'all know what I think. I have a good friend who rides even more than I who's planning to call for her own prescrip. (By the way, the compounding pharm. recommended increasing the percentages to 20 & 2--said it certainly couldn't hurt). The pharm. also said he thought one application would last 5 to 6 hrs!