Meeting your enery requirements for racing and training is somewhat personal. It’s a rare beast who can ride a Marathon on water alone. Most large races will have a nutrition sponsor, which is a fantastic show of support from the company. But what if it doesn’t work for you? Do you have a sensitive stomach? Are you unable to open wrappers in full fingered gloves? Maybe you have a food intolerance?
Thankfully, there are almost more choices for energy products on the market than tread patterns for a mountain bike tyre. Recently I have been sampling some of the GU Energy range, so here is a rundown on the GU Chomps.
Chomps are sold in a small packet, containing eight pieces (two serves). The packet is small and you can fit a number of them in a jersey pocket if required. Additionally, the wrapper is easy enough to tear open with your teeth while on the go. More on that option later though.
GU’s Energy Product range sticks with a few basics, and in this case they ensure the Chomps contain their blend of carbohydrates, amino acids, antioxidants, electrolytes and caffeine (in two of six of the flavours), all in a chewable form. A blend of complex and simple carbohydrates should meet your immediate and longer lasting energy requirements. By including amino acids and antioxidants, GU are attempting to help you maintain your concentration during and after your race or training session. The Vitamin C and E that are in Chomps should help reduce the free radicals in your system – espeically when under duress. You can get all these from the right bars, gels or drinks – but Chomps are a little different. The Chomps are designed to be something you can chew on, without having to bite a piece off an energy bar as you ride.
But hang on – aren’t Chomps just like using Haribo, Licorice Allsorts, Winegums, Milk Bottles or some other childhood favourite confectionary?
In a word – no. This comes back to the ingredients list and nutritional bonuses afforded by a superior mix of simple and complex carbohydrates. Each packet contains two 90 calorie servings, which GU suggest is enough to fuel about 1.5 to 2 hours of activity. In my head, I was sceptical. Eight pieces for 2 hours? Unlikely. In the past I have inhaled 200gram packets of a variety of different confectionary, and been hungry again later. And that is where Chomps are different. Having used them on long, hard training rides of late, I made sure I stuck with their guidelines. Eating a single chomp every 10 to 15 minutes is more than a little different to how I normally eat. But I stuck with it, and found that the amount I would eat over a long training ride was less than I expected, volume wise. The bonus here is not feeling bloated and hungry at the end of the session. The packet could be left open easily so I could just squeeze another Chomp in as required. That is a bit easier than having a semi open energy bar, and potentially less messy than a gel for those who are clumsy.
So in use, I enjoyed GU Chomps. My hunger was satiated while training, they were easy to eat and digest, and pretty tasty as well. Although I did not use them in racing during this test period, I did use a pack during the 2010 Highland Fling, with no problems at all eating and digesting them while pedalling in anger
The sample selection I had covered most of the flavours. There are six produced, but it depends what country you are in. Check here to see who stocks what in your region.
All up, I would be happy to recommend them. I think they would work better for some athletes and some courses more than others. If you have time to get things from your pocket frequently, and dislike gels, you should look into GU Chomps. If your racing style or the race course itself prevents frequently jamming your hand in a jersey pocket, maybe stick with carbohydrate delivery via a different method.