I use Skratch energy Chews Strategically on Group Rides. I have one right before the ride, & I will eat 2 at a regroup before big hills. Usually I have 4 on a 2 hour ride. I notice I have tons of energy towards the end of the ride before and during the sprint. They really make a difference!
I've tried tons of different energy chews over the years and my default is typically Clif Shot Bloks that I buy locally and individually, but in the last year they've become hard to get, so I thought I'd try these in a bulk box buy, in several flavors. They work well for providing energy and you get more of them for the money than the Shot Bloks. They're easier to chew as well and don't get stuck to your teeth like Shot Bloks and some others. About the only downside over Shot Bloks is these aren't linear in the package, so you have to fish around to get them out and in your mouth.
I use Skratch powder for electrolyte replacement (which is great) so was hoping the Skratch chews would be a complementary energy source, but it didn't work out. The package is hard to open even off the bike so to avoid the hassle I cut the top off with scissors and stick the open package in my jersey pocket before the ride. Even then, the chews tend to stick to the package and each other so not so easy to use while riding, and off the bike I usually end up with sticky fingers. It may be that the open package in my jersey pocket exposes the chews to moisture making them even more sticky, but I tried some straight from the box with the same problem. The flavor is good and the chews have a little salt kick, but unfortunately the drawbacks are too much for me.
Love the texture, like having caffeine, very consistent. Other chews I have used vary from soft to very hard. My only negative is that there is not an easy way to open. This is dramatically worse if wearing gloves. A 'tear here' notch would be a great addition.
I consume these chews when I haven't eaten due to laziness, and at the end of the workday feeling tired, it provides the energy to sustain me to be able to pedal home. I bought the orange flavored chews, it's not so sweet that it'll create that discomforting aching sensation if you have cavities but just a slight bit. These are like eating gummies.
These taste good and deliver but are sticky and therefore difficult to eat while riding and gunk up your fingers too. The packaging doesn't lend it self to accessing and eating while riding either. Best to just eat these before a ride and/or while stopped.
Love the taste, but nearly impossible to open on the bike. Even if opened (say, off the bike with scissors), the pouch is very difficult to use. Have to use fingers to fish them out because they stick to each other and the packaging. Won't buy again until the packaging is improved. Tubes, like from Cliff, work great.
These energy chews have great taste/selection of flavors and sit very well with me on long rides. The only downside, and it's minor, the packaging is hard to open while riding......
