Home made energy "gel"?

[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.

[Hammer]

I've made my own that I like alright... still working on a recipe... But, I've gotten a jar of brown rice syrup from the local grocery store, mixed about 4 oz of it with a tbsp or so of pure vanilla, a bit of chocolate protein powder and thin it to your desired consistency with water... and then I also throw in about a 1/4 tsp of morton lite salt or whatever. It seems to taste okay to me... you can tweak the flavorings to your liking...

[Kitsune06]

I would think the maltodextrin combined with brn. rice syrup, some fruit syrups or 'essence' (the sugar free syrups you can get at brew shops, maybe) or the cola syrup (same) might work. I'd be hesitant on the protein powder until post-workout- it might get glooby.