Century Fuel

On my one century last year (2023 Ride the Rivers Century), my Garmin bicycle computer estimates that I burned nearly 3000 calories. That's roughly 750 grams of carbohydrate.

My ride was 7 hours moving time and 9.6 hours total. At 60g per hour, that's 420g to 576g.

Can I carry 3000 calories with me? Possibly, but it turns out that I don't have 30 packets in the house at the moment.

Who has time to eat 30 gel packs on a ride? GU has refillable flasks that hold five servings. 500 calories, I guess. Does GU still sell 15-serving pouches?

What can I carry with me that is more like 500 calories?

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Check out thefeed.com ... oh, that's who is sponsoring the TDF.

Carbs Fuel Original Energy Gel

50g, 200 calories, 2:1 glucose:fructose ratio, sodium. Unflavored, but "has a bright, semi-sweet, refreshing taste." $2.00 per packet.

Precision Fuel and Hydration PF 90 Gel

90g, 360 calories, no electrolytes. Neutral-tasting gel. 2:1 glucose to fructose ratio.

SIS Beta Fuel Gel

40g, 160 calories, available in neutral flavor. 1:0.8 (?) Maltodextrin:Fructose ratio (5:4). Intended to reduce symptoms of stomach fullness and upset.

Santa Madre Unusual Gel 45g

45g, 181 calories. 1:1 carbohydrate blade (which carbohydrates?).

Santa Madre Unusual Gel 60g

60g, 241 calories. 1:08 glucose:fructose ratio (I suspect 1:0.8).

The Feed sells gel flasks. Their own branded flask is 150 ml, and it has a cap to ensure it doesn't leak gel on your clothes. It will solve the problem of large portions. How many grams can I get in one? Close to 150? So I would need five flasks for 3000 calories. Get the blue one. Ugh, but I can't find many bulk gels.

Hell, The Feed sells sampler packs.

Oh, hell, they sell pickle juice, too.

Order

The Feed offers free shipping on orders over $75. Order:

Carbs Fuel Original Energy Gel
SIS Beta Fuel Gel
Santa Madre Unusual Gel 60g
Pickle Juice Shot (6 Bottles)
some GU gels?

Gel Skill

Maybe I just need to get better at eating energy gels on the road.

Evidently, I'm doing it right, but I might need more practice riding no-hands so I can use both hands.