Favorite race gel?

What's everyone's favorite race gel (or race snack)?

I'm fond of Gu, Carboom!, and Cliff Shot Blocks! I really don't like doing the gatorade/powerade drinks, but if I must (like I'm biking for 3+ hours) I use Nuun! 

Try Gu2O, I found it much more tolerable then other powders. At least it doesn't make me loose my breakfast during hard efforts. As for Gels. I like Hammer ones. You can buy them in big jars and use it with their flask. Much more convenient and a bit cheaper then using individual packets.

For regular rides that are long I try to stick to regular food: Potatoes, banana, etc. If I need space in my jersey cliff bars.

UD

Are you able to eat the potatoes and bananas while your riding?? Like do you cut them up into pieces? And do they get mushy? 

I know when I do organized rides with set rest points, I usually will eat "real" carby foods (crackers, bananas, ect.) but while I'm in transition, they get to messy.

Sure, why not? Granted potatoes are not the huge half a pound ones, but on a smaller size. Like those small red potatoes they sell. The bananas are medium size. I don't cut them. I just put them in to my back jersey pocket.

Here is a link to some other fun stuff to bring on the road. It also talks about how to wrap things for easy access.

UD

i use strawberry-banana gu, cliff shot blocks, and gu2o if i need a drink. The gu2o is definitely more tolerable and not too sweet.

I never use gels, I've always stuck with the cyclist classics:  Bananas and Fig Newtons, or my version of a panini which is just whole grain toast with honey folded and wrapped it in saran wrap.  I carry Gatorade on long rides but I always cut it with water.  Also I never leave my house without a power bar in my jersey for emergencies.  Unlike bananas, cookies, or toast a power bar can stay in there for months a still be good if you need it.

If you watched any of the Tour of California you might have been surprised to see what the Pros eat on the bike.  Besides the Panini there were shots of riders eating snickers bars and drinking coke right out of the can.  Pros typically drink soda during a race but usually it is chilled in the water bottle and allowed to go flat.  I assume they want the caffeine in addition to the sugar and salt.

I can understand why gels night be beneficial in a Tri or while running but the only Tris I've done were too short to need anything other than a sports drink.

On my long bike rides, I ate people food...  Fig Newtons, sweet peanut butter crackers, PB & J sandwhiches, then switch to Power Gels for the run.  Works great for me.  Honestly, I haven't met a gel I didn't like yet...

trhawley Actually for emergency I would go with gel. It is absorbed much faster then energy bar, so you feel the effects faster. Besides power bars just taste horrilbe imho.

wesmckean Have you tried plain Gu? I heard it tastes pretty horrible. lol

UD

I had a friend that was on Team Gu, and he was getting loads of the stuff for free.  He hooked me up.  I got used to them after a while, but I MUCH prefer Power Gel.  A lot of the tri peeps think Power Gel is too sweet though.  I like it.

I've actually done the panini sandiwch before... and I've TRIED a powerbar, but it just turned into a giant, melty mess. I need to try the potato idea though... those are really easy to digest and full of carbs! 

I only do sprint tris (as I'm only 15), but I really push for time and can feel a huge difference when I take a gel between the bike (~14 miles) and run (5k) transition. It's a time cramp, so gels are easy to consume! 

I've tried power gel (vanilla, maybe?) and I thought it actually tasted kinda salty... I really want to try these gels I've heard of that are made of honey... called "Stinger" gels or something... Anyone know what I'm talking about/tried them? 

I've heard good things about Stingers...  Give one a tri (pun intended!)...  LOL.  You are spot on.  If you eat a good breakfast, one gel in a sprint is about all you need.