GU (or similar substance) poll

[slinkedog]

What sort of a flask do those of you who use them use?

[Technotart]

I saw those flasks the other day at the LBS, but I would like one that is a bit smaller - might have to look at the local drug store and see if they have an alternate squirt bottle that is a bit smaller.

The flasks made for gu are about a 5 or 6 oz bottle with the pull type squirt top on them - sort of like the ones on dish soap bottles. You buy gu by the big container and put it in the flask (although that has GOT to be a messy operation!) that way you can open the top with your teeth and squirt the gu in like that instead of trying to handle packets while you are riding. Sort of like a mini water bottle, but somwhat flattened so you can fit it in a jersey pocket.

[Technotart]

Heh - it's 5.5 oz:

http://www.sportsbasement.com/jump.j...ProductID=6075

[Steph_in_TX]

The gu flask fits easily in a pocket. I don't buy the big packets, though. I usually just put 2 or 3 in there at a time. It's not too messy to fill as I put the opening of the packet down in the flask. I'd rather be able to wash my hands at home.

[CorsairMac]

Clifshots here. I love the Mocha Mocha which has caffeine, the Sonic Strawberry tasted like strawberry jam to me - and it has caffeine also. I did Not like the Cola Buzz....it tasted like a flat gooey Coke! My fav non-caffeinated are Chocolate and Vanilla. ClifShots has the no litter packet where the top stays attached to the packet but I would be very interested in a flask. My hands and Face get sticky from the packets, and then so do my pockets when I stuff the empty packets in them. It might be fun to get a flask and mix caffeinated and non-caffeinated flavors together and then just take a shot whenever.
When I did my century, I ate every hour alternating between enery bars and gel and eating a caffeinated gel every other time. ClifShots uses rice syrup instead of maltodextrin (which can upset my tummy).

[bikerchick68]

I like ClifShots the best... have tried lots of different ones but ClifShots texture is like honey... and the vanilla one actually tastes like honey to me... I like almost all their flavors...

I CANNOT eat a bar on the bike... so stinkin' dry I end up guzzling most of my water to get 'em down... I WILL sometimes eat them prior to a ride tho, especially if it's been a few hours since eating... quicker than stopping to get a meal and effective....

[Tar-Cat]

Thanks for all the input! I think I'm going to try vanilla GU and on of the Hammer Gels and compare the whole simple sugar/ maltodextrin thing.

I'm gonna write all your recommendations down so that if I don't like what I try I can go back to other recommended things. Thanks again!

[poison tumac]

I like Hammer Gel. It doesn't have a lot of sugar in it so it wont make you more tired later in the ride. I usually put a bunch in one of my water bottles, that way I dont have to carry anything, and I can be constantly taking in calories. It works great for me!

[Technotart]

I tried adding gu to a water bottle - all I got was a little wadded up ball of crud at bottom of the water bottle - it was as if someone dropped wax in it! Im sure there are some gels that dissolve well in water - I might have to test that out and make a chart LOL

[emily_in_nc]

I don't use gels - I just think they're too pricy. I normally bring homemade healthy cookies (with added protein powder and such) from home and eat those on rides in lieu of buying energy bars and gels. Works for me...

Emily

[spazzdog]

I'm a Power Gel grrl... strawberry-banana (with caffiene ), and Powerbars (berry or malt) and Clff bars (choco-mint) all washed down with GatorAde.

spazz

[singletrackmind]

gu makes me feel dizzy and disoriented, especially if I've got gatorade too. I used watered-down gatorade or I don't tend to drink enough...