Red Bull

[yellow]

OK, I thought I'd try a Red Bull before my usual ride today, just for grins and as intrigued by its use by others. I usually have a Crank E-Gel (said really fast: cranky gel...) before a ride and decided to replace that with a Red Bull.

I've always kind of been afraid of Red Bull...not sure why. It's not like I shy away from caffeine or sugar or even carbonated beverages. So I took the leap and bought some.

My usual ride is a hill ride, with between 1500 and 3000 feet of climbing, depending upon how far I go. I got off of work a little early today, so I decided to do the longer loop, which is about 25 miles (and about 3000').

I drank said beverage about a half hour before my ride. I found the taste much more pleasant than I thought it would be (mind you, I had no idea what it would taste like...) and the light carbonation nice. The mouthfeel reminded me a bit of champagne.

I was hating life for the first 6 miles or so. But I refrained from blaming it on the fact that I didn't have my cranky gel. Really, I was a little low on calories today, so I figured it was probably that.

Once I warmed up, I felt darn good. I was able to keep it above 5.5 mph on the hill that I normally average about 4.8 mph on. (Yes, that's right...4.8 mph. It's a steepie.) I never really even got close to a bonk. I finished the ride in about 1 hr 40 minutes, with an average 0.4 mph faster than the same ride on Tuesday. I had one bottle of weak Cytomax and one Jolly Rancher (cherry) whilst on the ride.

So I give it 5 chainrings (out of 5, using Kim's rating system), though I intend to continue experimenting. I'll let you know what happens when (and if!) I combine a cranky gel AND a Red Bull.

[Veronica]

Kim turned me on to Red Bull. You can freeze it and bring it along for in the middle of a ride. I've only had a couple - in two years or so - blow up in the freezer. Costco is the cheapest place to get it, that I've found.

V.

[aka_kim]

Mmm, sugar, caffeine, and B vitamins, what more could you want? Careful, Red Bull truly is addictive .

Oh, and Yellow, just how steep is that hill that you ride at 5.5mph? Would the rest of us mortals (other than the Bike Goddess of course), have to walk it?

[spazzdog]

what does it taste like?

fruity?

veggie-like (V8)?
coke?

spazz, who loves caffiene.

[SadieKate]

Kim, if I remember right I made it up the hill which means you can fly it.

SK

PS - Yellow, we are talking about the hilll where we lost Moose (Robb), aren't we?

[aka_kim]

...which means you can fly it.

And Red Bull does give you wings.

Taste? It has a flowery aroma, and light carbonation. But what does it taste like? I can't think of what to compare it to. Definitely not like veggie or fruit juice, nor colas.

[spazzdog]

Margarita?

Lemon-tini?

Bourbon?

Beer?

spazz

[SadieKate]

And Red Bull does give you wings.

I'm not sure I call heart palpitations "wings." Have had 2 episodes of caffeine OD, one mtbikng, that have convinced me that bicycling and more than 1 soda or coffee per day don't mix. Yeow, that was scary.

Do they make a low-caffeine version? Pink Bull?

[Bike Goddess]

Yellow- Please get that altimeter or whatever we call those measurement things we use on our bikes and give us the % grade. If you are doing it at 5.5 I can IMAGINE what a grind it must be for the rest of us. I'm about to do one of those nasty climbs next Tuesday up McEwen Road which I understand is pretty nasty on a bike (I've done it in a car only).

Of course, we could come up your way and climb along with you using this Red Bull stuff! I await further comments

[Adventure Girl]

Do they make a low-caffeine version? Pink Bull?

I do NOT do well with caffeine, either! I get very jittery and shakey.

Low-caffeine--Pink Bull!! I wish I had said that!!!

[snapdragen]

I find it tastes like fizzy sweet tart candies. I prefer my caffeine in a Latte or Espresso, please

[Adventure Girl]

This may interest a few people here...

Red Bull + vodka.... Called a Red Alert.

Disclaimer: Not recommeded as a pre-ride pick-me-up.

[SadieKate]

I find it tastes like fizzy sweet tart candies. I prefer my caffeine in a Latte or Espresso, please

Peppermint mocha in the winter and iced latte in the summer! The cocoa bean is a vegetable and milk gives you your dairy. Sounds good to me. Calories probably don't even count is so nutritious.

[spazzdog]

There's the AG I met and loved!

I knew you would have something in that tiara case of yours.

spazz (who wouldn't think of embibing an alcoholic beverage while biking... )

[sarah b.]

Liquid Pixie Stix. I've only had a Red Bull once but that's what it tasted like to me. The sweet tarts description is good, too.
-sarah b.