"Refeuling on the Fly"

[Bluetree]

I love the Clif Bloks. I tear open one side of the package and put it in my pocket with that side facing up, so I can easily grab one at time out of my pocket.
If heading up a long climb, (this is so gross) you can lick them and stick individual bloks to your top tube. I'm not saying I've tried it...

I second the Clif Bloks. I cut away about half the package and place the rest in the back pocket for easy access. The bottom half of the bag acts as a liner inside the pocket.

I've never tried the top tube trick.. can they stick on your helmet, too? If bugs get stuck on them, do they affect the caloric count or is that just an extra shot of protein?

Note: Clif Bloks when swimming laps? They work well but don't get the Bloks wet when you reach for them in between laps. The chlorinated water has a dissolving effect of the rest of the bag, making for a squishy mess.

[spokewench]

I second the Clif Bloks. I cut away about half the package and place the rest in the back pocket for easy access. The bottom half of the bag acts as a liner inside the pocket.

I've never tried the top tube trick.. can they stick on your helmet, too? If bugs get stuck on them, do they affect the caloric count or is that just an extra shot of protein?

Note: Clif Bloks when swimming laps? They work well but don't get the Bloks wet when you reach for them in between laps. The chlorinated water has a dissolving effect of the rest of the bag, making for a squishy mess.

I never would have thought about swimming with Clif Bloks - I just have this picture of some big red blob on the pool deck - quite a picture!

[CycleChic06]

I've never really thought about snacking while swimming. As a former competitive swimmer, I don't think I've ever really seen anyone eating anything while swimming...sometimes people would keep a bottle of water on the side of the pool, but that's about it. I use sports beans mostly when I'm looking for endurance while riding, and while swim practice would often run 1-2 hours, I don't really see it as the same type of endurance as biking. Think about it, if you're at a meet swimming a 500, you can't really stop in the middle and eat some sports beans.

[Bluetree]

I'm at the gym at 4:30am to swim 2 miles, often on an empty stomach. If I've been fasting for the last 10-11 hours, my stomach starts seriously complaining by Lap 30. "Time to eat yet? Hello... Hungry here!" So I take a bag of Bloks with me and line up the pink squares at the edge of the pool on a paper towel. About every ten laps or so, one of the little suckers commits suicide by leaping off the edge into my gaping maw. It's quite a sight!

Seriously, I am usually so depleted after a long swim that eating bloks periodically also keeps me from scarfing vast quantities (aka overeating) afterwards.

[Rakekay]

Silly me. I always stop riding to eat and generally eat a whole bar at a time rather than little bits and pieces as I'm going along.

I clearly have so much to learn.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Silly me. I always stop riding to eat and generally eat a whole bar at a time rather than little bits and pieces as I'm going along.

I clearly have so much to learn.

Rakekay,
Don't feel bad. I usually pull into a cafe and have a croissant and latte, or maybe even some French Toast!

[spokewench]

Rakekay,
Don't feel bad. I usually pull into a cafe and have a croissant and latte, or maybe even some French Toast!

AHH - Lisa you really know how to live!

[CycleChic06]

I'm at the gym at 4:30am to swim 2 miles, often on an empty stomach. If I've been fasting for the last 10-11 hours, my stomach starts seriously complaining by Lap 30. "Time to eat yet? Hello... Hungry here!" So I take a bag of Bloks with me and line up the pink squares at the edge of the pool on a paper towel. About every ten laps or so, one of the little suckers commits suicide by leaping off the edge into my gaping maw. It's quite a sight!

Seriously, I am usually so depleted after a long swim that eating bloks periodically also keeps me from scarfing vast quantities (aka overeating) afterwards.

I see your point, BlueTree. It's good afterwards to replenish the body of nutrients. I'd just never considered eating them during a swim workout.

[mlove]

I have to stop to eat and drink. I am not steady enough yet to let go of the handbars for more than a few seconds.

[inatree]

i dunno about where you all live...but around these parts, a little package of bloks cost about $2.50. i am a starving student who bought every single piece of cycling equipment (including the bike!) using my financial aid from school. i can barely afford clif bars which i can get on sale for a dollar a piece if i go to a certain store. i also love sharkies but they are pricey too, i get them from another store for 1.50 a piece and everywhere else they are 2.50. any ideas for *affordable* energy food? hah im probably being laughed at right now...oh well, at least im used to it!

oh, and i stop to eat, too. i know im still a beginner, but it just feels wrong to me to start eating while i'm excercising, i always think i will get a stomach ache. i make myself wait after i eat to, and i hate it. but i didnt wait one time after eating some sharkies, and i got stomach cramps during the ride home. how do you all not get stomach aches? i also have no idea how much to eat either. im trying to lose weight tho, but i havent lost any weight after riding vigorously for 3 mos i dont have very much to lose, thats probably why. oh well!

[SadieKate]

Ditto everything Spokewrench said. That's what your teeth are for, ripping and shredding wrappers. I just don't like eating anything solid while I'm actually riding, but I can do it.

Maillotpois also suggested a gel flask rather than the gel packets. World of different. Better accessibility and no mess. I can sip on a bit at a time and have a steady caloric intake. When I get to the bottom of the flask, I add water at a stop and can then drink the last of the gel so nothing gets wasted nor is there litter from the gel wrapper.

BTW, raspberry and banana Hammergel mixed is pretty tasty.