Science in Sport have released a new energy gel, which reminds of a catastrophic bonk I had earlier this year.
It was a sunny day in March. There were were probably daffodils; I remember seeing baby alpacas. I went out for a ride, got lost (hence the alpacas), and realised I'd forgotten to take any food or money with me.
The ensuing trek home was not a career highlight. I won't say quite how far I stooped, but lowlights included scouring a petrol station forecourt for loose change, before ultimately staggering to the nearest pub, where I asked for a pint of water.
While the barman's back was turned I grabbed a handful of sachets of HP Sauce and sugar from the condiments rack; outside, I concocted a home-made energy gel. It tasted vile of course, but it was enough to see me the last few miles over Steyning Bostal and home.
The moral of the story? 1) Don't stop to smell the alpacas, and 2) Always take food and emergency money with you on a ride.
Ideally your pocket picnic will comprise organic, home-made nutrition using recipes from something like the Grand Tour Cookbook; but realistically, we're busy people. Some days you have to slum it with a ready meal. For those days, SiS have got your back.
The new gel is called Go Energy + Electrolyte. It comes in a standard 60g sachet that "Enhances hydration and maintains performance" according to the pack, and it comes in lemon and mint flavour. You can really taste the lemon and mint, too. It's like snogging the man from Del Monte right after he's brushed his teeth, but without the awkward sense of obligation to buy a job lot of oranges afterwards.
Despite this, it won't be to everyone's taste; the initial effect is not unlike biting into a sachet of hotel shower gel, but it's quite moreish. Taste aside, gels are strictly a means to an end and these deliver the goods in terms of putting some pep in your step. Alongside 22g of carbs for energy, each sachet contains electrolytes - sodium, potassium, and magnesium - to replace those lost through sweat and help maintain your fluid balance.
Delicious, and that's not all. An interesting bonus I discovered is that if you spill a few drops onto the frame of your bike, the gel hardens into a brittle, glass-like clear-coat. Don't worry though, I'm sure that isn't happening inside your digestive system.
And if it is, it's probably only enhancing and maintaining your performance.
Go Energy + Electrolyte Gel, pack of 30 for £39.99 from Science in Sport
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