Square Wheels 14,413 Report post #1 Posted June 11, 2014 So, I'm riding in the city and wanted to test out a gel during a ride to make sure it sits OK in my stomach. I have a long ride coming up in July and want to test a couple of things out now. So, being an environmentally polite citizen I don't want to throw the wrapper on the ground, but it's sticky. What am I supposed to do with it? Today I left it in my gloved hand until I found a trash barrel, but by them I had gel all over my glove and bike. I want to be able to eat one every hour or so along with some real food. How do I manage the wrappers? Should I take a baggie along for trash? 1 LMichael70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nate 3,405 Report post #2 Posted June 11, 2014 ok...before you go and invest in Jersey Bins....here's the real dope: you're jersey has 3 pockets right? if it doesn't get a cycling jersey. They have 3 pockets across the back. Put your gels and Clif bars in one pocket As you use a gel or Clif bar, put the wrapper IN THE OTHER POCKET basically, you are designating one of your pockets as a trash can just put the stuff in there and throw it out when you get home. Who cares if its sticky, you are going to wash your jersey anyway, right? no go forth and ride! 1 Square Wheels reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az_cyclist 2,001 Report post #3 Posted June 11, 2014 once you find a gel you like ( Hammer gels for me) you can buy a larger container of the gel, and a flask. If you buy from Hammer they will give you the flask free if you buy the larger container of gel. Otherwise I have seen the flasks at the LBS or REI for $2. The advantage is you can take the gel while you ride, and there is less mess. 3 Square Wheels, Jimbo and Longjohn reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Longjohn 12,687 Report post #4 Posted June 12, 2014 Save the gel wrapper and use it to boot your tire when you get a cut in it. The stickiness might even help hold it in place. 2 Parr8hed and Square Wheels reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Square Wheels 14,413 Report post #5 Posted June 12, 2014 Thanks. I thought of using the dirty pocket idea, and will do that on shorter rides where I feel the need for extra calories. I generally don't eat while riding. For centuries I will go with the bottle idea. Seems a lot simpler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nate 3,405 Report post #6 Posted June 12, 2014 if you are out for more than 2 hours, you have to eat. Eat every hour on the hour whether you are hungry or not. On a century, I always needed more than gels and Gatorade, but work that out for yourself. Whatever works. 2 LMichael70 and Parr8hed reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Square Wheels 14,413 Report post #7 Posted June 12, 2014 I don't do a lot of long rides, usually 20 - 30. I don't eat. If I do 50+ I might bring a banana. If I go less than 20 I bring 1 water. If I go longer, I bring bottles with 1 scoop of Heed. For centuries I will bring a few Gel, some sunbutter and jelly on gluten free bread, and baggies of Heed and use water at the stops. I was using long rides as an excuse to eat. That needs to stop. 1 LMichael70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smudge 5,610 Report post #8 Posted June 13, 2014 . I was using long rides as an excuse to eat. That needs to stop. Wait... what???? 1 Square Wheels reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerrySTL 2,953 Report post #9 Posted June 13, 2014 I just flatten them out and put them under the leg elastic on my shorts. I've never had any problems washing the stuff out of my shorts. I did have one that I hadn't flatten out all the was scratch me a little. 2 Jimbo and Square Wheels reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olas Nah 56 Report post #10 Posted June 16, 2014 Um, yeah. Pockets. Use 'em. Otherwise, use Clif Shotblocks. No worries about goo, and they are much the same as a gel. Honestly, far more convenient than gels overall. Not as acidic either when you take them in, whereas some gels necessitate you drinking a decent amount of water to wash them down immediately. Not that this isn't a bad idea, but you can just eat the Shotblocks and take your time about drinking some water to back them up. Gels are indeed messy period. Don't bother with that Hammer Gel flask....you're going to drop it during a ride and wish you'd never invested in it. Everyone I've ever seen, known, or that has ever lived has dropped the flask during a ride or race or other event. 2 LMichael70 and torch511 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torch511 15 Report post #11 Posted June 17, 2014 I saw 4 of those hammer flasks on the bike course during a 1/2 IM on Saturday. 1 the first lap, 3 more on the second lap. I am sure there were more that I did not see. 2 Olas Nah and LMichael70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olas Nah 56 Report post #12 Posted June 19, 2014 I saw 4 of those hammer flasks on the bike course during a 1/2 IM on Saturday. 1 the first lap, 3 more on the second lap. I am sure there were more that I did not see. lol... The funny part is, I'd wondered about this even before I'd bought one. The very next race I did, watched a guy drop his. Nevermind all the goo that develops around the lid after a few gulps of it. Gel is messy period...but man I love the apple/cinnamon flavor. Of course, I had this one time that I 'shot' 3 shotblocks straight out of the package onto the ground, but it was no tragedy since I had 3 more and had plenty of other food to spare. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az_cyclist 2,001 Report post #13 Posted June 19, 2014 I have not had any problems with flasks, nor have any of my fellow club members. We are not racing; this is for century and double century rides. Planet Ultra and the LA Wheelmen have had Hammer Gel in containers at sags that can refill a flask. 3 Longjohn, Jimbo and LMichael70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dirtyhip 12,457 Report post #14 Posted June 28, 2014 I just shove it in my pocket. The sticky will get washed. Don't fret about a tiny drop of goop. 1 az_cyclist reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az_cyclist 2,001 Report post #15 Posted June 30, 2014 I just shove it in my pocket. The sticky will get washed. Don't fret about a tiny drop of goop. and this. I use one of the 3 jersey pockets for wrappers and such. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creaky 11 Report post #16 Posted July 2, 2014 Um, yeah. Pockets. Use 'em. Gels are indeed messy period. Don't bother with that Hammer Gel flask....you're going to drop it during a ride and wish you'd never invested in it. Everyone I've ever seen, known, or that has ever lived has dropped the flask during a ride or race or other event. I've never had a problem with the flask. Sometimes it's difficult to get the last bit out while riding. What I usually do is add a bit of water to make it more of a liquid than a syrup. Haven't dropped one yet. 2 az_cyclist and Jimbo reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parr8hed 4,522 Report post #17 Posted July 28, 2014 Check into a Hammer product called Perpetum. Something like that... Like a gel that you mix into your water. Keep a bottle of that and a bottle of water. Alternate sips of each. Keeps your energy topped off and no need for gels/shot blocks/etc. Not nearly as messy. 1 az_cyclist reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az_cyclist 2,001 Report post #18 Posted August 1, 2014 Perpetuem helped me get thru the Eastern Sierra double century. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olas Nah 56 Report post #19 Posted August 4, 2014 Perpetuem is very milky and I've found it difficult to drink on warm days. Definitely a go-to on cooler days. Alternatively in the summertime I drink HEED and supplement fuel with shotblocks and then a clif bar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Longjohn 12,687 Report post #20 Posted April 9 On 6/28/2014 at 12:20 AM, Dirtyhip said: I just shove it in my pocket. The sticky will get washed. Don't fret about a tiny drop of goop. That's what he said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Razors Edge 1,398 Report post #21 Posted April 9 On 6/11/2014 at 2:36 PM, Square Wheels said: Should I take a baggie along for trash? As simple as that. But the shove in a pocket also works as long as its not one being used by other stuff. Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Square Wheels 14,413 Report post #22 Posted April 9 I solved the problem. I haven't eaten any gel or other fake food in a long time now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites