Dreading that 3K foot climb out of the canyon half-way through your ride . . . plan ahead with a few Shot Bloks. Perfect blend of sugar & caffeine to get you to the top. Easy to chew and wash down with a swig of water. But do moderate your dose, these pack a punch.
These are the perfect way to a get a nice kick to your system but without the mess of Gu / Gel products.
Warning to the wise! These are basically pure sugar and although it feels great to get the rush, if you are not consuming fats or protein, it is quite possible to crash hard from the sugar high. I will mix and match (some nuts, energy bar) while doping on the sugar.
User friendly tip! Open the bag from the bottom end (if you tear off the corner, you will have a small hole to pop out a block, Ignore the direction arrow to 'open here'). I figure 4 blocks (4/6 of a pack) will last me for 2 hrs so I put aside the 2 blocks (2/6 of a pack) for another ride. If I really need 6/6 of a pack then I expect to consume other non sugar forms of energy or the ride is super short.
With consumable products I recognize that everyBODY is different. These (Black Cherry w/caffeine) taste great. One objective comment is that I find it difficult to chew/swallow these while riding due to the amount of saliva produced which isn't an issue while not in motion. A subjective comment is that these don't work will with my digestive system. I'm on my 4th box but won't reorder. I'll stick with my flask of Hammer Gel (Mocha w/caffeine).
Amazing boost to the legs...always use them on rides greater than 30 miles
This stuff is awesome. It helps my endurance a lot better. Especially , really noticeable when I did a steep 11K steep mountain climb. At the end of the climb I was still able to do some extra push of sprint to the finish. It actually would satisfied my hunger too, on a long ride. I have been taking cliff bloks lately instead of drinking my cups of coffee before a ride that led me to find nature a long the way.
This is the best race food. Easy to chew, digest, tastes good, and easy to slide out of the package. Also fits nicely in your jersey pocket. I would suggest opening each package before you ride/race, as initially tearing the packaging is hard.
Of all the flavors, the Margarita is the best in my opinion. I think that they really help get over that little hump when its hot and you need just a little boost to get you home.
Easy to use even with long finger gloves.
I ride Mt. Diablo in the bay area twice a week. There are two long climbs and I take a chew before each one. It takes a little while to kick in but when it does you can really feel the difference. The climbing seems to get easier, still working hard but not feeling as tired.
Much easier then gels I lickem and stickem on my top tube for easy access.
Cliff Blocks work so well, easy to store in a jersey pocket, easy to peel the package back to access the blocks while riding, perfect chewable size, great taste and an easy access supply of an energy boost when you need it. Nothing not to like!
Tastes good, does what it's supposed to do.
I use them on bike rides all the time. Easy to store. I just cut off the tip before I start and just suck on them. They taste great.
Have used these for years for bike snack while riding. Small package fits jersey pocket and easy to pop one bit into your mouth while riding.
Easy to carry ! Taste Great ! No matter what your pace you are going these chews are instant energy . Try it u will like it.
We have been using Shot Bloks for years and they never disappoint with the energy they provide on long rides, especially when complemented with Clif bars or other more substantial foods.
Gels are good to get me through any ride over 20 miles these days. The liquid ones in the hard to open packets are messy and wasteful when I try to use them. I cut these packages in half, put them in my jersey pocket and take one half every hour. No fuss, no mess, no waste. Whether its real or psychological, I don't know, but the sugar and caffeine boost works almost every time.
One pack of 6 blocks provides 100 mg of caffeine, which helps give you some energy finishing a long ride. The blocks are easy to eat and less messy than the GU packets which can stain your jersey pockets when you put the empties back in there. Like the taste of the black cherry, but a triple crown CA (three 200 mile rides in a year) friend swears the cran-raz berry is the best. The only negative is that the blocks will stick to your teeth and need some dedicated tongue action to work them off.
We have been using Shot Bloks for years and they never disappoint with the energy they provide on long rides, especially when complemented with Clif bars or other more substantial foods.
Cut the tops off of the packaging while at home and squeeze individual bloks out during your ride for a tasty caffeine boost.
