Worked well for me. It’s going to be my indoor “gel”
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Untapped makes in Gel sized packets.
Someone once said that it takes a lot of water to process/digest carbs…anyone know the ratio?
The Skratch Labs guys recommend a concentration of roughly 4-5% carbohydrate. A 1:1 ratio of maple syrup to water would be 88% concentration.
Now that’s not different than a prepackaged gel. The theory from Skratch Labs is that if you’re taking a gel you have to then consume enough water to take the concentration down to ~5% in your gut to process it effectively (avoid distress and maximize uptake). So if you wanted to get down to that ratio by drinking plain water on top of your “shot” you’d have to consume like 24oz (709mL) of water on top of it.
Which seems ultra conservative to me. For a 3 hour ride I try do a gel of some kind every 45 minutes and, temperature depending, usually consume two 709mL bottles. I dont get digestive distress or feel like I’m bonking. I’m sure the science is on their side but I just can’t drink (or locate for that matter) enough water to meet that guideline on a weekend ride
It really depends on your limitations and how you want to manage nutrition. If you are ok taking straight honey or syrup you can get away with a relatively small pocket squeeze flask and then just top up with water along the way. Saves carrying gel packs and filling pockets if that is not your jam.
I experimented with adding some espresso to make something similar to the Untapped gels that have coffee in them. I mixed two small reusable flasks up about 1:1:1 espresso/water/syrup.
Doing a quick taste test I agree that water needs to be added. I was taste testing as I made the first one and at least for me the syrup has to be cut. If I was just using coffee and not espresso 2 parts coffee to 1 part syrup might be ok though.
But anyway I did a gravel grinder Saturday and thought it was a good chance to experiment took both the flasks with a few regular gels in case I didn’t like my creation. I was very happy with my creation and will definitely use them again in the future.
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@GT7 This is a great idea. Can you recommend a easily washable soft flask that I can take on rides with me?
If I had the holder it’s long gone but I’ve got one of these flask and another that is very similar but with a little bit of an angle to the top. Hammer Nutrition and GU both have smaller ones they sell too. Look for gel companies that sale the larger bottles of gel and they usually have some sort of dispenser.
In many ways I prefer the bottles, I don’t get nearly as sticky using them and they rinse out easily with hot water compared to having a sticky mess of empty gels in my pocket. For me they’re a little easier to use while I’m riding as it is easier to open the bottle.
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Definitely the type of nectar the bees gather makes a primary difference in the quality of honey. And it is hard to get those little suckers to gather honey from flowers they don’t want to. Our bees will fly over miles of planted clover to work holly bushes. They absolutely love holly bushes. Holly honey is not bad but it’s way different than clover honey.
But, anyhow, you can definitely taste differences in honey depending on what type of flower the bees primarily worked. Also, honey is one of those foodstuffs that the store-bought equivalent just can’t compete with. Sort of like tomatoes. Even the gruffest of palate would instantly notice the difference between local honey and store honey.
Been using these for the last couple months: https://www.amazon.com/FITLY-FLASK150/dp/B07KNDT5J7/. Have no problems with them, fits about 4-5 gels in 1, depending on the volume of the gel. There’s dozens of other variations on the same product from other sellers, but I don’t have any personal experience with them; could be better or could be worse. Vastly prefer the squeeze valve over the typical sports bottle top for gels.