You have to pick a side, when it comes to nutrition: nature, or science. At least that's what I always thought - and until recently, I steadfastly ignored the wide array of lab-grown, scientifically proven supplements on sale to cyclists in favour of wholesome fuels from Mother Nature's musette: banana halves, fig rolls, stray flies and water.
Still, we must move with the times. So when GU sent us a couple of sachets of their energy gel to try out on the New Forest 100 Sportive, I decided the time had finally come to sample the latest in scientific snacking.
GU, not to be confused with the chocolate desserts of the same name (at least, not unless you're planning to ride a sportive after dinner), are based in California and lay claim to creating the world's first energy gel in 1991. Their energy gels provide athletes with a shot of 100 calories in the form of 70-80% maltodrexin and 30-20% fructose, depending on the flavour.
I was testing their Vanilla Bean energy gel, a "superior energy, maximum recovery" performance food promising antioxidants, amino acids, calcium and 20mg of caffeine, all in a lightweight 32g foil sachet. (Weight weenies take note: the average weight of a banana is a hefty 126g.)
The New Forest Sportive was a 70 mile course, and as we set off I made up my mind to 'drop' my GU at the 55-mile mark in the hope that a spurt of energy would carry me to the finishing line.
In the interests of scientific rigour I offered a second sample to my ride mate Robbie, who is something of a connoisseur where sports stimulants are concerned (although his current tipple is an e-cigarette).
The miles flew by, finally the Garmin readout hit the magic 55 miles. I tipped Robbie the nod and groped in my back pocket for the gel. The sachet design, with its narrow 'neck' and a tear-off tab made it easy to open on the wing. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste - a concentrated sweetness that was vaguely reminiscent, as Robbie noted, of condensed milk with a distinct vanilla bouquet.
The consistency was quite thick and sticky, so you wouldn't want to tackle one with a dry mouth - and although it tasted good, it's probably not going to steal the puddings crown from its chocolatey namesake.
But that's not the point of this goo. It's designed to deliver energy when you need it, and on that score I found GU delivered in spades. I had been starting to feel heavy-legged, but the 100 calories in the gel literally gave me a surge of power - it was a revelation.
I don't know whether it was the caffeine kick, but within a few minutes I was putting my foot on the gas, and to my surprise finding plenty in the tank. I wouldn't quite say it was like having new legs, but I powered through those last 15 miles with a renewed vigour that was definitely down to GU.
It was a thumbs up from gel guru Robbie as well, who preferred the taste of his Tri-Berry sample to the gels he had taken along with him. He even finished the course despite having flu - although it's important to stress that this was not a rigorous clinical trial, as we'd also eaten jelly beans and flapjacks earlier in the day.
GU Energy Gels retail at £1.60 each or £38.40 for a box of 24, available from GUenergy.co.uk. If you've been sitting on the foodie fence as I was, your pockets weighed down with bananas, I'd certainly recommend giving GU a whirl as part of a balanced cycling diet.
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