Claremont Cycle Depot: bicycles & sporting goods

Cycling Nutrition

Claremont Cycle Depot carries a number of cycling-specific nutrition products for use before, during and after your ride.

Gel-Bot

Gel-Bot is the first water bottle with an integrated gel flask. Gel-Bot allows you to consume gel, drink water or have a mixture of both (perfect for Hammer Gel and water!), all from the same bottle. Avoid messy foil packets, leaky gel flasks and having to slow down to eat. Gel-Bot allows you consume gel every time you drink, giving you more consistent feeding and providing the liquid needed for proper nutrient absorption.

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Honey Stinger

Honey Stinger makes a series of gels and energy and protein bars whose main source of carbohydrates comes from honey. Studies show that honey is low on the glycemic index and therefore provides a long, steady source of energy instead of a spike and crash. Honey is also a natural source of antioxidants. Gels available as packets or 12-ounce tubes.

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Endurox R4

Endurox^® R^4® Recovery Drink was developed by leading exercise physiologists and based on landmark research redefining how the exercising muscle recovers. Endurox R⁴ contains the patented 4 to 1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein to speed muscle glycogen replenishment and rebuild muscle protein after exercise, antioxidants to reduce post-exercise muscle damage and glutamine to help reduce muscle stress.

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Hammer Gel

For over a decade, Hammer Gel has been the benchmark of concentrated carbohydrate energy, primarily because of what it doesn’t contain: Hammer Gel has no added refined, simple sugars and artificial colors or sweeteners. Available in cost-effective jugs for even, reliable energy (not the “flash and crash” of sugar-loaded products), you get only what’s good for you: complex carbohydrates, natural ingredients, and real fruit. The result is a great-tasting concentrated fuel source that goes down and digests easier than any other energy gel. We also stocking HEED energy drink and Race Caps!

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Accelerade Sports Drink

Accelerade is the first sports drink that provides rapid hydration plus the added benefits of all natural protein to re-energize muscles during exercise and help muscles recover faster after exercise. A major independent study shows that protein-powered Accelerade, compared to the leading sports drink, increased endurance 29% in the first exercise test and 40% in the second exercise test…15 hours later. And Accelerade also decreased muscle damage 83%.

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Cytomax Sport Energy Drink

One of the original hydration products for cycling and used by the pros for 16 years, Cytomax is made with a unique blend of PolyLactate, other complex carbohydrates, and electrolytes for an optimal energy supply. Compared to any other nutrient supplements available, patented PolyLactate delivers energy faster, fuels the body more optimally, and better protects it from acid build up.

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SportLegs

Taken before a hard ride, or during a long, hard ride, SportLegs provides you with premium natural-source compounds of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D inside vegetarian capsules. This simple combination has been shown to reduce cramping and reduce the “burn” you feel when going hard, without the use of aspirin or tylenol.

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About cycling nutrition

Years ago, athletes — even Olympic champions- ate whatever they wanted, with no thought of how it affected their performance. Well, we’ve learned a lot recently.

Today there are many products on the market that imply that you’ll win if only you use their product. But there actually are a few items that will increase your cycling performance. They can be divided by when you consume them.

Before your ride

Just about any easily digestible food with a high-energy, low-fat content works well here, especially if you eat a couple hours before you ride. The idea is to top off your reserves and to provide continuing energy as you ride. This is when you might want to eat an energy bar. Some people also will take a supplement such as Sportlegs at this time. You’ll also find that how you eat the day before will affect you on long or hard rides.

During your ride

While you’re riding, you have two needs: hydration and energy replacement.

Hydration

Even riding on a cold day you sweat and lose water with every breath. You must rehydrate on any ride longer than an hour or so. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink; you’ve already lost water by then.

You can carry plain water, but cycling specific products like Cytomax, Accelerade and others contain electrolytes and carbohydrates to keep you going stronger. Try several to find what works best for you. It has to taste okay warm on a hot day and not upset your stomach during long or hard efforts. Experiment with the dilution, too. The label directions don’t necessarily work for everyone.

Energy replacement

Efforts longer than a few minutes use your body’s store of glycogen as an energy source. Without taking in additional energy, eventually you’ll “bonk” and totally run out of energy. While commercial hydration products can help, they’re not really designed to prevent this.

Over the years, cyclists have carried a variety of portable, easily eaten food with them. Bananas, PopTarts and small sandwiches are examples. Today, most people carry energy bars or gels.

Energy bars are good for easier, longer rides when you have time to unwrap and chew. Gels, like Hammer Gel, are the consistency of honey and are best for harder, race-type efforts. They come in a number of flavors, are easy to consume and digest and provide quick energy. Try several flavors in single-serving packages and then buy what you like in bulk and use a gel flask or Gel-Bot to carry it. It’s cheaper, more convenient and you don’t have messy trash to carry with you.

After your ride

Your body needs to recover from a long, hard ride. You need to eat carbohydrates to replace the glycogen you’ve used up (especially if you’re going to ride the next day) and protein to provide the building blocks to repair any muscle damage done (the reason you’re sore the next day). And its best if you do this as soon as possible after riding.

Products like Endurox® R® are a convenient way to quickly take in what you need. They also contain additions such as antioxidants to help you recover faster. Again, everybody’s a little different, so experiment with products, flavors and dilutions to find what works best for you.