Energy

[unipsyc0]

Thanks for all the replies. I really like the honey idea, being a big honey nut anyways. Whats the best way to carry honey on the trail?

[harper]

Originally Posted by unipsyc0

Thanks for all the replies. I really like the honey idea, being a big honey nut anyways. Whats the best way to carry honey on the trail?

How much does she weigh? If she's light enough, just carry her on your shoulders.

[Ereksonj]

Originally Posted by unipsyc0

Thanks for all the replies. I really like the honey idea, being a big honey nut anyways. Whats the best way to carry honey on the trail?

I'd just put the honey bottle in a small zip lock sandwich bag to prevent leaking, and throw it in a backpack or something. When you want some, just pop off the lid and squeeze about a spoonful's amount of it directly into your mouth.

It sounds a little weird just to eat straight honey, but I actually start to crave it when I'm working hard and need energy.

[GizmoDuck]

Real food for ultra long rides.

I've taken to peanut butter sandwiches or making my own date scones.

Most energy gels get sickly after a while, and they are nothing more than marketing ploys- they don't provide you with sustained energy and they're bad for your teeth, and they taste like detergent.

Same applies with most 'energy bars'...although some are ok. Someone make a savoury bar and I might be interested.

If I have to use energy drinks in a racing situation (I've done a couple of 24hr/12hr type races) because it goes down quickly- I use Ensure Plus or some other nutritional supplement. If it's good enough for sick people, it's good enough for athletes. They provide fat and protein and not just sugar.

[MuniOrBust]

I'm not convinced energy gels are bad for your teeth, assuming you're eating them with water. They're only in your mouth like 30 seconds and get rinsed down easily.
Aren't foods like bread and dried fruit are more likely to get lodged on/between your teeth, lingering long enough to cause cavities?

I use them when I don't want to stop, like when racing or practicing for a race. Any solid food gives me stomach cramps when I'm pushing hard.

My rides are usually about 2 hours long.
In the past, before riding I was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But I found myself burping a lot while I rode. I replaced the peanut butter with rice syrup fluff and it's been better. Peanut butter probably has fat and protein that isn't useful during a 2 hour ride, but I'm not a nutritionist. I might just remove the jelly too since it's probably not adding anything more than the fluff.

[magicollin]

Almond butter and honey sandwiches, green tea w/ ginsieng and a banana... usually does the trick for me

[DavidHood]

I hesitate to resurrect this thread as it is so poorly named but my ride yesterday really got me thinking about what to consume to survive the heat and humidity of summer in Kentucky. I did a good job eating right and pre-hydrating but that ill advised 3rd (but the first 2 went so well) lap at Waverly Park's Mountain Bike trails still nearly got the best of me. I took a break after lap 2 and drove the Jeep to the nearest convenient store to refill my CamelBak with ice and water. While I was in there I went for a 32oz Gatorade (there has got to be a better sports drink), a Snickers bar, and a PayDay (forgot to pack my usual snack of peanuts). Too much sugar had my heart racing that last lap! Everyone (especially those with young ones in tow) should read this thread on MTBR. Be careful out there!

[magicollin]

Today I had the best post ride snack ever. An apple with freshly ground chocolate peanut butter. I'm taking that on the trail next time, yummm

[MuniSano]

Originally Posted by DavidHood

While I was in there I went for a 32oz Gatorade (there has got to be a better sports drink)

There are MANY better hydration options. My favorite for the past several years has been First Endurance EFS. Sure you're going to pay a little more than the junk you find at gas stations and other convenience stores, but my health and performance mean much more to me than saving a few pennies. This stuff simply rocks. Has gotten me through a lot of high stress, long distance ultra marathons and other adventures including unicycling. If you must grab gas station electrolyte drinks go for the G2 Gatorade as there is far less sugar there and I believe more sodium. For exercising in the extreme heat when you are sweating A LOT you need A LOT of sodium replenishment. There is simply not enough in most "sport drinks". I highly recommend to carry a small baggie of sea salt with you as well, can't count the number of times that just taking pure salt has really brought me around when I was really flagging because of dehydration.

These are just some of my experiences with proper hydration and fueling that I've gleaned from over 20 years of endurance running, most of which I think definitely apply to unicycling as well.