Home made energy "gel"?

[Kitsune06]

okay... this has no real basis beyond my own meandering experiences,
but reading the back of Hammer gel indicates longchain maltodextrins to be used....
I wonder if these are of the same beginnings as the malt syrup one buys in gallon tubs for maybe $10 each for home beer brewing? Could one then, theoretically, take this malt syrup (not as sweet as you'd think...) and mix in fruit juice concentrates and other ingredients found in Hammer etc gels to make a gel themselves?

Also:
for gel with caffiene, would it be possible to heat and dissolve nodoz into it? That sounds significantly more risky than malt syrup and fruit juices, but some people really need their kick... =P

[Trek420]

Like gel.
Hate flasks.

I can't seem to carry one without its spilling all over: my camera, wallet, all over rear pocket....if I can't mount it on the handlebars where do I put the &^% thing so it won't spill all over?

Who here suggested in the logical spot the sports bra?

[velogirl]

I can't seem to carry one without its spilling all over: my camera, wallet, all over rear pocket....if I can't mount it on the handlebars where do I put the &^% thing so it won't spill all over?

Dita, Dita, Dita. First, they make a great little top tube mount for gel flasks -- let me know if you want me to order one for you. Forget that! I think I have one sitting in my cupboard -- remind me to give it to you at BATO.

Now, if you just close the top of the flask with your teeth when you take a dose, it won't spill on anything. Just gotta keep it closed.



I live on flasks since I get all my calories from drinks and gels. I carry two on long rides -- one on shorter rides.

[CorsairMac]

Dita, Dita, Dita. First, they make a great little top tube mount for gel flasks -- let me know if you want me to order one for you. Forget that! I think I have one sitting in my cupboard -- remind me to give it to you at BATO.

Now, if you just close the top of the flask with your teeth when you take a dose, it won't spill on anything. Just gotta keep it closed.



I live on flasks since I get all my calories from drinks and gels. I carry two on long rides -- one on shorter rides.

so do you not carry food with you? If no: what do you carry and how often do you ingest?

I'm curious because I'm always on the lookout for alternatives.

[Trek420]

velogirl "Forget that! I think I have one sitting in my cupboard -- remind me to give it to you at BATO."

So Velogal, you're going to be there this year? Not schedual a clients coaching session that day? hee hee.

"I live on flasks since I get all my calories from drinks and gels. I carry two on long rides -- one on shorter rides."

Course, I think she's kidding. You are kidding right? I've seen you eat real food

[Nanci]

http://tinyurl.com/o96sx

I don't know of a cola-flavored gel, but Crank Sports makes a Mountain Dew-flavored gel that is delicious (for me).

[Eden]

http://tinyurl.com/o96sx

I don't know of a cola-flavored gel, but Crank Sports makes a Mountain Dew-flavored gel that is delicious (for me).

cool thanks - I'll have to see if I can find some of that to sample. The cherry bomb sounds like it might be good too so long as it doesn't taste like cough syrup...

You never know. The Hammer Gel flavors sound like they ought to be good too, but they have a nasty chemical flavor ick, ick, ick

[susanm8048]

This is a recipe I got from Coolrunning website and it works well.

You need:
Polyjoule or Polycose Powder (AKA Maltodextrin)
Gastrolyte sachets
Cordial


Mix 1.5 cups of polyjoule, I sachet of gastrolyte and a generous amount of cordial ( about 1/2 to 1 cup ) to turn the powder into a gel.

Mix the ingredients for a minute or two. Depending on the consistency, add a small amout of water to get a runnier gel.

Refridgerate overnight- it will become clearer.

This makes about 6 shots, usually enough for about 4 hours bike/run.

Drink plenty of water (NOT GATORADE- it will give you malabsorbsion and the trots) with each shot.


Another recipe I have but haven't tried is :

I scoop of sports drink
6 scoops of polyjoule (=1/2 cup)
enough water to mix to gel

This makes 3 gels
wash down with 200mls water per gel

I like making my own. It is convenient and satisfying and cheap!

[7rider]

Like gel.
Hate flasks.

I can't seem to carry one without its spilling all over: my camera, wallet, all over rear pocket....if I can't mount it on the handlebars where do I put the &^% thing so it won't spill all over?

Who here suggested in the logical spot the sports bra?

I don't think I'd have enough space to carry one in the sports bra!

My problem with the flask is mine seems to pinch my lips when I try to close it. It is rather messy, but I like the economy of scale with it.

RE: the comment on malt from home brewing...
Hmmmmmm....if it sits in the jersey pocket long enough with some sugar, can it ferment into beer? I have some yeast in the fridge! That would make for an interesting carbo load!

[Eden]

My husband considered trying it, but never got around to it. I can stomach some flavors of GU and its on sale often enough. You can purchase the main ingredient, maltodextrin, fairly inexpensively from health food stores I think - or places that carry suplements maybe. In any case I know that you can get it in bulk online. I think it comes in powder form. You'd just have to figure out a way to get the flavoring you might want into it - and any other extras you might want.

Actually I was thinking (and wondering) if anyone has cola flavored energy gel? I think that might go down OK for me - better than the sick fruit flavors or chocolate (chocolate GU makes me gag) that a lot of them seem to be based on. Maybe I should try getting some maltodextrin and some cola syrups to try making my own. I'm thinking cola and ginger ale flavors would be tummy soothing and still have a nice kick.

edit: I've answered my own question - Cliff makes a cola flavor, maybe I'll have to give that a try. They base their energy gels on brown rice syrup rathern than maltodextrin. I'm thinking that would also be pretty easy to get at a health food store or natural food store.

[AuntieK]

Eden, Clif Shot has an energy gel called Cola Buzzz. I've never tried it, but had a friend who did. I've never seen anyone spit something out and run to rinse her mouth so fast! Of course, everyone's tastes are different, so it's worth a try. I happen to love the chocolate GU that you loath.

[Eden]

Eden, Clif Shot has an energy gel called Cola Buzzz. I've never tried it, but had a friend who did. I've never seen anyone spit something out and run to rinse her mouth so fast! Of course, everyone's tastes are different, so it's worth a try. I happen to love the chocolate GU that you loath.

Its not that I think chocolate GU tastes bad -kind of like chocolate frosting- but during a race, its so thick that I can't swallow it. It sticks in my throat so much that it interferes with my breathing. I need a thinner gel to be able to get it down. Banana and vanilla bean are my current favorites, but I know lots of people who can't stand the banana. I think it tastes kind of like banana pudding if you really stretch your imagination.

[Pedal Wench]

What about plain old honey? That's the main ingredient for the Stinger products, so it should work just fine.