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.

[meamoantonio]

(02-29-2024, 08:01 PM)Talha Wrote:  

(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.

Ooohhh this is brilliant! Will explore how to manufacture this locally, thank you kind sir!

[Talha]

Honey is affordable and provides a natural source of quick energy/ For me, it’s around 20 cents USD per serving compared to 10 USD for regular gels. It contains simple sugars for quick energy and also has vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For storage just use a squeeze bottle

[GirishH]

Or even brown sugar which is unprocessed sugar. It comes in chunks/blocks and is inexpensive. That and some (un)roasted peanuts. Really easy to carry and no mess.

[Jesper]

Honey and molasses infused peanut butter is what I have for anytime; cycling or not. Energy and protein.

[SPINMAN]

Coffee, coffee, coffee
If you catch a good promo from SIS it comes to $1.00 per gel for the ones with caffeine! So 2 per ride for 45-60 miles with electrolyte filled bottles and started with 16oz French pressed coffee! Good for me, anyway.

[meamoantonio]

(05-04-2025, 09:22 AM)SPINMAN Wrote:  Coffee, coffee, coffee
If you catch a good promo from SIS it comes to $1.00 per gel for the ones with caffeine! So 2 per ride for 45-60 miles with electrolyte filled bottles and started with 16oz French pressed coffee! Good for me, anyway.

What is this 1 USD SIS Gel sorcery and can you share the link? I need this in my life hahahaha

[SPINMAN]

(05-06-2025, 11:37 PM)meamoantonio Wrote:  

(05-04-2025, 09:22 AM)SPINMAN Wrote:  Coffee, coffee, coffee
If you catch a good promo from SIS it comes to $1.00 per gel for the ones with caffeine! So 2 per ride for 45-60 miles with electrolyte filled bottles and started with 16oz French pressed coffee! Good for me, anyway.

What is this 1 USD SIS Gel sorcery and can you share the link? I need this in my life hahahaha

Yes, well since The Feed took over SIS the prices went up. Maybe on sale and close outs it might be $1.40 on a 30 pak

[enkei]

Kendal Mint Cake is a tradition in the UK.

[meamoantonio]

(05-12-2025, 03:37 PM)enkei Wrote:  Kendal Mint Cake is a tradition in the UK.

So it's basically what's inside of a York Peppermint Pattie right? this looks awesome I don't think this is available in my area but I'm definitely trying this if I get a chance to ride in Europe. Thanks for sharing this!

[Criminal]

(05-18-2025, 11:47 PM)meamoantonio Wrote:  

(05-12-2025, 03:37 PM)enkei Wrote:  Kendal Mint Cake is a tradition in the UK.

So it's basically what's inside of a York Peppermint Pattie right? this looks awesome I don't think this is available in my area but I'm definitely trying this if I get a chance to ride in Europe. Thanks for sharing this!

Kendal is better than a peppermint patty, except missing the chocloate.
Anything that has decent glucose is good; but best to keep it more natural than processed: peanut butter (natural preferred) with honey, maple syrup (dark is best), and molasses mixed in has great energy potential, nutrients, and protein found naturally; and is better for your overall health than ultra-processed lab made stuff; especially for the amatuer athletes (pros do not buy all those energy products; they are given to them for free as a marketing method, many still using foods like what I described; but they are PAID to hype the lab stuff whether used or not).
Lots of glucose as opposed to sucrose itself is the key regardless. Easy to put in a syringe and pump out what you need. Dark maple sugar candy also. Only drawback is maple syrup cost so it can be left out or used in a smaller proportion. Our family makes maple syrup so its free except for the time to make it. If you get zero protein then you have not muscle repair/building so sugary stuff only solves the energy side and thus peanut butter gives that added boost other than chewing on some jerky.