Hello, Brendon here.
We started at 6 am and set off. During the ride the temperature got to 34 degrees.
The day before I rode 70 km.
Today’s ride took 5 hours, 34 minutes at an average speed on 25.7 km/h.
After an hour, 10 mins I was really struggling. I was drinking HEED at the rate David suggested – 1 bidon an hour.
I could hardly keep up with the other guys I was riding with.
Had A Hammer Gel
I then ripped open a Hammer Gel and had that, thinking it might help.
10 minutes later I was feeling great and continued up the rather large hill that is Springbrook.
I continued on with drinking HEED (I had 3 bidons) and had another Gel 2 hours into the ride.
By the time we got to the 80 km mark I was out of HEED. We stopped at a shop and I bought:
- 2 bottles of water
- a health bar and
- a mug of coffee.
I drank the coffee and some water at the store and put the rest of the water in the bidons.
I drank the water over the last 60 km – finished it about 5 km from home.
I Raided The Fridge And Had……
When I got home I had:
- 1 glass of orange juice,
- 400 mls of HEED,
- 2 bananas and
- 1 apple.
How I Felt:
Aside from feeling terrible at the 1 hour, 10 minute mark I felt great. I really feel like the Gel gives me a huge boost (used Gels a few times now).
My previous long ride was 90 km 3 weeks ago and I felt terrible from about halfway through to about 5 hours after the ride.
After the ride today I felt fine – like I’d hardly done a ride.
So fine that I went for a 6 km job a few hours later.
Is The Gel Really Helping – Or Is That All In My Head?
My questions:
- Based on the above, what improvements would you suggest to the ride nutrition?
- Would the Gel really be helping that much or will you, as Darryl Kerrigan would say, “Tell ‘im he’s dreaming”?
- How would you rate my post ride nutrition?
- What else should I be doing?
Thanks
Brendon



{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Heh Brendan
I’ve done that Springbrook ride a couple of times. One of the best rides on the Coast.
Might be an idea to take a few photos along the way and put them up?? That Numinbah Valley is a beautiful place.
John
Hi,
I am a new comer to the world of Nutritional/Fatigue prevention products and 2 weeks ago I splashed out and bought the following from David’s web site:
1 x 24 pack of 36g Hammer Gel packs (Raspberry),
1 x 24 tub serving tub of Perpetuem (Orange-Vanilla),
1 x 64 serving tub of Recoveright (Subtle-Citrus).
In no way am I sponsored by Hammer or do I receive Hammer Products for free.
I’ve been using the Hammer Gel and Recoveright now for nearly 2 weeks and they are UNBELIEVABLE !
My work outs are as follows:
1) Swimming (3 x 2.2Km morning sessions per week),
2) Running (3 x 5.5Km afternoon runs per week),
3) Cycling (2 x 45Km Mountain Bike rides through the Adelaide Hills per week on weekends….about 3 hours each ride….upwards of 1100m ascent….killer).
30 minutes before each session I’ve been using 1 x 36g Hammer Gel pack, as well as additional 36g Hammer Gels each 45 minutes into the MTB rides.
No longer do I have any sign of fatigue during these workouts and no longer do I have any sign of muscle soreness afterwards !
Tommorrow I start on Perpetuem (2 scoops in 600mL of water).
My first attempt at a Triathlon is on Feb 10th (the Sam White Memorial mini…750m swim, 19Km ride, 5Km run)….
I hope Hammer will help me through !
Just thought I’d share my experience so far with Hammer products.
Totally satisfied !
Thanks,
Damion