Great question! Thanks for posting 
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I mix my own generally from Fructose and Matodextrin and then salt or an electrolyte powder.
I also use sometimes some products from ActiveRoot not sure if you can get those in Canada but they use ginger and are said to be easier on the gut. I started with them after often taking crystallised ginger chunks with me as something with a different flavour.
When you say solid food doesn’t seem to agree with you what are you trying? I say this as depending on the event I make a lot of my own bike food. often a trail mix style I find great as I just nibble on it and it will be a mix but for example fig rolls in bite sized pieces, oat bars, salted cashews sometimes some dried cranberries and sultanas. I find little and often is best. Jelly babies and boiled sweets are also a favourite.
As for gels I tend not to use them at all. I do think you need to train yourself to eat I know friends who love a sausage roll but if I have one I tend to end up feeling sick and it just seems to sit heavy in my stomach. The thing to be careful of when getting you calories from your drink is balancing the hydration requirements against the energy requirements.
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Some excellent information here! Thank you everyone.
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Thank you for sharing Kevstorr! I am also considering making my own drink as well. As for solid foods, if I’m doing a zone 2 ride I’m fine to eat solid foods. I will make my own energy balls, or PBJ sandwhich or Skratch bars. However when I’m riding as hard as I can in a Fondo ride my body seems to reject the idea of eating solid foods. Perhaps I need to do as you have mentioned and just try and train my body to eat. With that being said I’ve had this experience twice now and has cost me at the end. I think I’m going to try the Skratch product as it seems more accessible. I’m doing the Phil’s Cookie Fondo at the end of Oct and will give it a try.
If you are having issues in events, what do you do in training? You need to train your nutrition in the same way as you train your aerobic power. Try things in training and see how get on.
Did you find the other on bike nutrition threads?
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Ive got gut issues as well and I find Skratch products to work great - however they can be made at home quite easily and much less expensively. Maltodextrin or cluster dextrin ( even table sugar works), fructose, and electrolytes can be purchased independently, in bulk online, and it’s quite easy to dose on the fly. Ive done it both ways, and it’s equally effective. All the best of luck.
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I haven’t but will be spending some time today to look through the threads. I’m doing up my riding schedule for the year so that Pav and I can build a plan!
I do make sure that whatever I am doing during training sessions is the same as race day.
Cool thread, everyone, thanks! You’ll have to let us know what you goals/events you pick @Duke68 !
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Thank you Fromwhereiride. I live in Canada Vancouver Island and will be doing around 4 fondo rides. I’ve done 4 this year. I am also planning to go to France and ride the La Marmotte Fondo. Have you heard of that one?
I did the Marmotte in 2019. I loved it. Crazy beautiful.
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Super useful thread everyone, thank you!
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That is awesome! I have been geeking out on Utube videos of people that have completed it. Would you have any particular advice that you would be willing to share?
It is great fun. The organisation is super and if you are over from North America you may consider the mountain TT up Alpe d’Huez the day before. Try and get accommodation in Alpe d’Huez if you can. Practically it is a long ride that can be very hot. The Col de Telegraph is the hottest section as the road is exposed to the sun but there is little to no wind. There is so much else within a short distance once you are there, that you can make a fantastic trip out of it. DM me if you have specific questions or I can help with anything.
Very good suggestion there. “Train your nutrition”. Got to really think about that more and actually do that.
And another Home made energy drink recipe - #13 by Billyboy
There are others if you filter for nutrition topics.
Thank you so much everyone.