Very nice article! You may wish to include some info about using maltodextrin in place of brown rice syrup. Brown rice syrup sometimes can cause stomach upset and can take up to several hours to be completely absorbed. I've had to stop using it during ultrarunning events (as have some other ultra runners) because it tends to irritate my stomach after 4-6 hours of running.
Maltodextrin can be bought at brewery supply stores. I ordered mine from here:
http://www.nutritiongeeks.com/carbo-gain-maltodextrin-now-7/carbo-gain-maltodextrin-now.html
Maltodextrin is a powder isn't it? would you mixit with water to make a gel? I am planning on adding some infomation on maltodextrin to my article, I appreciate your feedback,
Yeah, it's a powder, so you have to mix it pretty thick to make a gel. There's a recipe out there somewhere, I'll try to find it and send it to you. Anyway, thanks again...that is great info and a superb way to save money!
As a diabetic athlete, running out of energy during a strenuous
activity has been a challenge, on one hand, because of its potential fatal results, on a less severe side, because it can ruin a bike ride or a hike. Before trying this gel I was forced to carry a load of expensive brand gels, or a pile of candy. This gel helped me to substain a good, steady flow of energy during my recent outtings without the price tag or the need to intake junkie stuff. Thank you very much for an answer to my challenge.
I did take my gel on trip to Bear Creek Spire, it was below freezing but not that cold, I did not have any issues. I suspect if you keep it near your body that the body heat would keep it from solidifying.
thanks for your comments, I was actually thinking about following up with a homemade power bar article :)
Great article! I have used home-goo when climbing four Colorado 14ers in October and it has really helped to avoid the "bonk" on 8 - 10 climbs. I mixed bulk maltodextrin with either hot chocolate mix or apple cider powder drink mix for flavoring. I drink an ounce with at least four swallows of water every 30 minutes and it has prevented the energy drop I used to get about 6 hours into a hike.
I hadn't heard of Power Gels yet before reading this, but your article is very informative for a novice hiker such as myself. I'm looking forward to longer hikes and I'm going to start trying homemade gels for 2007. Thanks for taking the time to write this article.
Nice article. By the way, a cheap source of electrolytes is Pedialyte and its generic equivalents, which you can find in most drug stores. Probably quite a bit cheaper than "electrolyte packets" and other stuff marketed to high-end athletes.
Definately. Any of the rehydration salts available from chemists/ drugstores are just as good as expensive brand ones.
The beautifully named 'gastrolyte' is a personal favourite.
You know, I've made my own alky stove, dehydrated foods, tent, bag, pack's next, but never even thought to make my own gels. Oh, sure, I've taken those little packets of honey from the local KFC and used them as a quick pick-me-up, but hadn't taken it to the obvious next step. Thanks for the idea. My wife will now officially hate you too.
Great job, I've been giving some thought to mixing up my own, you saved me some research. I was going to go mostly honey, mainly because it's "natural", but I guess I'll doctor it up somewhat. Looking for something for an upcoming marathon, and the last over the counter paste I bought was GROSS....
gimpilator - Nov 1, 2006 2:27 am - Voted 10/10
Very useful information.Thank you for your time and effort. Splendid idea.
rockrat2 - Nov 1, 2006 1:29 pm - Voted 10/10
Good info!And just in time before I head to the mountains
Chris - Nov 1, 2006 4:44 pm - Voted 10/10
Very nice!Very nice article! You may wish to include some info about using maltodextrin in place of brown rice syrup. Brown rice syrup sometimes can cause stomach upset and can take up to several hours to be completely absorbed. I've had to stop using it during ultrarunning events (as have some other ultra runners) because it tends to irritate my stomach after 4-6 hours of running.
Maltodextrin can be bought at brewery supply stores. I ordered mine from here:
http://www.nutritiongeeks.com/carbo-gain-maltodextrin-now-7/carbo-gain-maltodextrin-now.html
Travis_ - Nov 2, 2006 4:28 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Very nice!Maltodextrin is a powder isn't it? would you mixit with water to make a gel? I am planning on adding some infomation on maltodextrin to my article, I appreciate your feedback,
travis
Chris - Nov 2, 2006 4:47 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Very nice!Yeah, it's a powder, so you have to mix it pretty thick to make a gel. There's a recipe out there somewhere, I'll try to find it and send it to you. Anyway, thanks again...that is great info and a superb way to save money!
Jorge Miguel - Nov 1, 2006 8:06 pm - Hasn't voted
A very reliable source of energy.As a diabetic athlete, running out of energy during a strenuous
activity has been a challenge, on one hand, because of its potential fatal results, on a less severe side, because it can ruin a bike ride or a hike. Before trying this gel I was forced to carry a load of expensive brand gels, or a pile of candy. This gel helped me to substain a good, steady flow of energy during my recent outtings without the price tag or the need to intake junkie stuff. Thank you very much for an answer to my challenge.
Joe_Parvis - Nov 1, 2006 8:25 pm - Voted 10/10
Freezing pointThanks for the great article. I have made homemade power bars in the past (many recipes online) but hadn't tried gel. I surely will now.
One question: Have you carried this out in cold weather? In pack or in jacket? Have you had any issues with freezing?
Travis_ - Nov 2, 2006 4:24 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Freezing pointI did take my gel on trip to Bear Creek Spire, it was below freezing but not that cold, I did not have any issues. I suspect if you keep it near your body that the body heat would keep it from solidifying.
thanks for your comments, I was actually thinking about following up with a homemade power bar article :)
dadndave - Nov 2, 2006 2:13 am - Voted 10/10
ExcellentI'l give it a try. Not sure about getting the open ended tubes in my neighbourhood but I'll check it out. Thanks for the information.
easyrider49 - Nov 2, 2006 4:42 am - Hasn't voted
AwesomeI'll try it right away. Thanx, Travis!
dswink - Nov 2, 2006 5:31 am - Hasn't voted
Great articleGreat article! I have used home-goo when climbing four Colorado 14ers in October and it has really helped to avoid the "bonk" on 8 - 10 climbs. I mixed bulk maltodextrin with either hot chocolate mix or apple cider powder drink mix for flavoring. I drink an ounce with at least four swallows of water every 30 minutes and it has prevented the energy drop I used to get about 6 hours into a hike.
CRiedel2 - Nov 2, 2006 6:49 am - Hasn't voted
Never Heard of ItI hadn't heard of Power Gels yet before reading this, but your article is very informative for a novice hiker such as myself. I'm looking forward to longer hikes and I'm going to start trying homemade gels for 2007. Thanks for taking the time to write this article.
lavaka - Nov 2, 2006 10:56 pm - Hasn't voted
electrolytesNice article. By the way, a cheap source of electrolytes is Pedialyte and its generic equivalents, which you can find in most drug stores. Probably quite a bit cheaper than "electrolyte packets" and other stuff marketed to high-end athletes.
Sonnik - Nov 3, 2006 12:08 am - Voted 10/10
Re: electrolytesDefinately. Any of the rehydration salts available from chemists/ drugstores are just as good as expensive brand ones.
The beautifully named 'gastrolyte' is a personal favourite.
anykineclimb - Nov 3, 2006 7:27 am - Hasn't voted
electrolytesmaybe mix in some gookinade to add more than just sodium for electrolytes?
Lupino - Nov 3, 2006 1:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Good suggestionUsually I take with me a tube of honey, but I have understood that it is not enough. Thanks for your article
arturf - Nov 3, 2006 3:46 pm - Voted 10/10
Thanks for posting!Thank You very much for posting this information, very useful article!
kitcarson61 - Nov 12, 2006 4:28 am - Voted 10/10
Fantastic, thanks.You know, I've made my own alky stove, dehydrated foods, tent, bag, pack's next, but never even thought to make my own gels. Oh, sure, I've taken those little packets of honey from the local KFC and used them as a quick pick-me-up, but hadn't taken it to the obvious next step. Thanks for the idea. My wife will now officially hate you too.
ricksteven - Nov 26, 2006 2:49 am - Voted 10/10
Nicely done!Great job, I've been giving some thought to mixing up my own, you saved me some research. I was going to go mostly honey, mainly because it's "natural", but I guess I'll doctor it up somewhat. Looking for something for an upcoming marathon, and the last over the counter paste I bought was GROSS....
JeremyHorn - Dec 28, 2006 8:36 pm - Voted 10/10
Thanks...for the advice and money saving options!!