Photogshooter14

Not entirely sure where this question belongs so forgive me if it should be posted in a different section...

For whatever reason, sugar and caffeine have zero effect on me (110% absolute immunity to their intended effects). I've even used those max strength energy shot drinks while doing night (vehicle) driving and no effect. So my question is this... Are there any other types of energy boosts for biking that might work well for me? I rarely use them but I'm more curious for those super long endurance type rides where that extra bit of energy might help.

pdedes

you don't need a boost, you need appropriate nutrition for duration and effort. sub 3 hr., water is appropriate if you have a reasonable diet. beyond that or if you are training those types of hrs day after day, water to drink, and 200-300 cal./ hr. of food. check out "feed zone portables" by skratch labs, great nutritional information.

Jakedatc

+1 for portables. the cinn/apple rice cakes are my go to for centuries for a good mid ride snack. supplemented by gels and gummies while riding

rangerdavid

couple lines and a monster drink, I'm good.

Gyrine

A couple of ideas:
1) you don't need to buy the sugar scratch labs sells ... it's just table sugar that you already have at home.
2) if sugar and caffeine truely don't do anything for you then ...
3) you need more conditioning to get in shape for the long endurance tides

Looigi

^^^ +1

Also up the dose of caffeine. It takes 200mg+ to have significant effect. If you're inured to it from drinking lots of coffee, it takes more, like 400mg. Even with that, and feeling amped up from it, the effect is subtle.

Sugar itself does little except help replace glycogen you consume during vigorous exercise. It doesn't amp you up but rather prevents or delays bonking.

Jakedatc

we weren't saying to buy the Skratch products but to make the home made snacks designed by pro tour chefs. they are more complex than just sugar

Portables | The Feed Zone Cookbook and Feed Zone Portables

can find many of the recipes for free and also tweek them for personal tastes.

bbattle

I bring along a LaraBar or two on my rides.

Clipped_in

I think this was the primary point of the reference.

Carbonfiberboy 

As above, you don't need an energy boost. You just keep riding and eat enough so that you can do so. Your energy is between your ears. The main effect of caffeine in cycling is to spare glycogen, so even if you don't feel anything in particular, it's still doing you good.

coasting 

Real food. Keep eating small amounts early on. I like peanut butter and honey on a wrap type of bread.

rpenmanparker 

You guys are all FOS. There is only one proper food for energy maintenance and replenishment on the bike: Snick, Snick, Snickers. Nuts, caramel, nougat, and that TdF favorite, chocolate. And nowadays they come in almost as many flavors as the stupid synthetic gels. What's not to like. Oh man, if it weren't such nasty weather here in the Big Easy today (and I had brought my bike) I would go out for a ride just so I could justify a little energy replenishment. The only downside is keeping them from melting in hot weather. That's why it is better to eat them before you start riding instead of during the ride.

coasting 

the only way to eat chocolate on a ride is to stop at a shop. I have taken snickers in the back pocket on a hot day before. It was very difficult licking it off my back. My talents do not extend to contortionist.

Jakedatc

I also don't like things that are super chewy while riding... i even moved from Clif bloks to Honey stinger gummies because they are less sticky and i can eat them and breathe at the same time. This is important in a group because you can eat and not get dropped.. though i usually do gel in groups unless there is a stop like on centuries.

cycledogg

Ma Huang & Guarana. Responsibly!

OldTryGuy

Regular M&M, peanut M&M, almond M&M, dark chocolate M&M, pretzel M&M.....melts in you mouth not in your jersey-