I only use these on long rides of 25 miles or more (which is increasingly rarer as I get older). They provide a quick energy replenishment for long, slow rides without the bulk. One energy gel every 45 minutes seems to be the optimal consumption cycle and with the variety pack, you don't get tired of the same flavor say during a century ride.
I like to squeeze out the remainder of the gel between my teeth and therein lies a lesson: fold it in half, otherwise as I painfully discovered when I cut each side of my lips with the edge of the packaging. A painful lesson that no one should every repeat.
My rides are short (8 to 20 miles) and the tap water is sufficient for my rides. Once the temps climb past 78 to 80' F, then that not enough electrolyte-wise. My rule of thumb for those two chews every 10 miles and that keeps my energy up for the whole ride. Last week, the chews helped me get out of a energy deficit and cramping when the temps rose to 85 'F (I'm old and can't handle the heat as much as 40 years ago). Four chews got me home without cramping/bonking on the ride, and I was thankful that I bought a box of the GU's when they were on sale.
I bought the stainless steel Bivo bottles for several reasons: I needed to replace my plastic bottles as they didn't keep my water cold, I didn't want to create more plastic waste going forward, and they had a nice grippy and chip free coating (not sure if the coating is petrochemical free). I used my points to reduce the cost, making the cost competitive with plastic bottles. I'm old enough to have experienced life with little or no plastic and we can do it again. This is a step in that direction (fyi - my bikes are aluminum).
I bought the stainless steel Bivo bottles for several reasons: I needed to replace my plastic bottles as they didn't keep my water cold, I didn't want to create more plastic waste going forward, and they had a nice grippy and chip free coating (not sure if the coating is petrochemical free). I used my points to reduce the cost, making the cost competitive with plastic bottles. I'm old enough to have experienced life with little or no plastic and we can do it again. This is a step in that direction (fyi - my bikes are aluminum).
