Gu/SiS/Energy Gels replacement

[meamoantonio]

Hey guys, been looking for ways to save more money from buying sports gels and what not, has anyone tried bringing Honey along on rides/audax/ultra distance events?

How did you store the honey and how did you consume it? Im contemplatingnif it would be wise to have a bidon just for honey but cleaning it after is going to be a nightmare

Honey is more affordable here and ai can get away with 20cents USD cost per consumption versus 10usd per consumption on regular sports gels

[GirishH]

hello meamoantonio, I have run 6-7 marathons and done lots of long distance rides. The longest was a 6+ months bikepacking trip in South America and now riding long distance part-time in India.

I have rarely/minimally used Gu/SiS/Energy gels. Everywhere I went, I would find a local snack/energy source that the local sportmen would use. In Colombia it was Bocadillo ( candied guava or fruit snack). Then I found another snack used by the "mountain bikers", a candy made with roasted peanuts and panel (brown sugar).

Here in India, I have found similar energy supplements (peanut brittles). Again, I am not racing but definitely doing a lot more miles on a daily basis compared to the races.

Not only are these local energy snacks are cheaper, but they are healthier and very rarely plastic packaging is involved. So, they are healthy for environment as well.

Alternatively, I have also carried panel/brown sugar chunks and roasted/salted peanuts.

So, try the local snacks including honey mentioned by you. I ahve seen dried/candied honey which might solve your storing dilemma.

[Talha]

(02-09-2024, 03:05 AM)meamoantonio Wrote:  Hey guys, been looking for ways to save more money from buying sports gels and what not, has anyone tried bringing Honey along on rides/audax/ultra distance events?

How did you store the honey and how did you consume it? Im contemplatingnif it would be wise to have a bidon just for honey but cleaning it after is going to be a nightmare

Honey is more affordable here and ai can get away with 20cents USD cost per consumption versus 10usd per consumption on regular sports gels

Hi so I don't know what part of the country you're in but they have these small honey tubes where I live. I think the best way to explain it would be those small toothpaste tubes they give in hotels except they have honey and you don't have to worry about storing it or carrying any containers because they usually have just enough for consumption.

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

Maple syrup is incredible.

Although, can't say it's as affordable as honey, the carb value is much better (sucrose vs. fructose).

[GirishH]

Yes, I know maple syrup is big with natural-food cyclists in the Northeast of the US. And, I have seen small maple syrup tubes like the ones Talha mentioned about for honey..

[Amanda_W]

(02-09-2024, 03:05 AM)meamoantonio Wrote:  Hey guys, been looking for ways to save more money from buying sports gels and what not, has anyone tried bringing Honey along on rides/audax/ultra distance events?

How did you store the honey and how did you consume it? Im contemplatingnif it would be wise to have a bidon just for honey but cleaning it after is going to be a nightmare

Honey is more affordable here and ai can get away with 20cents USD cost per consumption versus 10usd per consumption on regular sports gels

Yes, honey works! I like pure maple syrup with some added salt, too. Do you have a Five Below store near you? They have these cute little squeezy bottles that look like rabbits and bears (silly I know) but they will hold some honey or syrup and will easily fit into a jersey pocket. And they're cheap. Alternatively, you can go to the baby section at the grocery store and find some refillable squeeze pouches for things like applesauce.

BTW, I like taking applesauce packs along as well. They don' have a lot of calories, but they are a nice change if you're going to out for a long day and need some relief from gels.