uniform
By Erin Lamb, Photos by Ty Ty
Maybe it’s the summer heat, but damn, what I’d do for some Carolina BBQ and a swig of my granddaddy’s moonshine on this third mountain pass. But as I sip from the bottle of EFS, all cravings and hallucinations disappear thanks to the salubrious, balanced blend.
Seven years ago, I went for a bicycle ride in Durham, North Carolina, with Billy. It was around 95 degrees and torrentially humid. After tromping through the Smokey Mountains, we stopped at a corner market and Billy handed his bottle right on over to the cashier. He asked for pickle juice. I looked at him and he whispered, “Salt, you need salt!” Without skipping a beat, the cashier snagged the pickle jar, yellowing from age, and ladled out the liquid. Another time, I rode with a Southerner from Georgia on a hot day in Palm Springs, California. He filled his bottles with sweet tea. What is it with these Southerners and their sports beverages? I bet if the good folks of North Carolina knew the benefits of having protein in sports drinks, they would blend up their pulled pork and mix it in with that balsamicy barbecue sauce then plop it in a bike bottle of pickle juice. Here’s some good news—no one needs to do that because 1st Endurance has figured it all out. The science-based company developed a recipe that outperforms and out tastes any Carolina BBQ-pickle juice-sweet tea beverage. Their EFS (Electrolyte Fuel System) drink mix comes in four flavors [Fruit Punch, Grape, Lemon Lime or Orange] and requires no high-powered blender or crockpot for preparation. 1st Endurance recently developed a new formula that blends electrolytes, sugars and amino acids according to research and performance tests. Electrolytes are ions, or charged atoms and molecules, that help cells maintain water balance and are involved in vital cellular communication and metabolism. Sugars are small molecules that are also involved in cell communication, and they also provide energy. Amino acids are the units that make up proteins and boost endurance and recovery by reducing muscle breakdown and supporting glycogen resynthesis. Instead of raw cane sugar in the form of sweet tea, EFS contains three different carboydrates—glucose, fructose and maltodextrin. Each is absorbed and metabolized at a different rate, so instant and lasting energy are delivered with each sip. Glucose burns first while fructose takes a little longer and hits after the glucose has done its job. Maltodextrin is a tricky carbohydrate. If glucose was a shiny plastic bead, maltodextrin would be a Mardi Gras necklace broken open—it’s a chain of many glucose units. Maltodextrin molecules will be absorbed about as quickly as glucose by the intestines, but each maltodextrin contains many glucose molecules. The bonds that hold the glucose units together break down rapidly after consumption. If that happens before maltodextrin reaches the intestines, then it can be dehydrating, though this is not always the case and depends on the individual and the state of the stomach. So try it out. If it works for you, how awesome is that—all that useable energy available for powering your bicycle.
threshold interval. Although there is more research on the positive effect of including some whole proteins along with carbohydrate in the exercise fuel mix, studies show small amounts of amino acids also increase endurance and performance. Furthermore, where protein has the tendency to go rancid while sitting on the bike by the end of a long ride, amino acids will stay fresh. And, amino acids are more readily absorbed and easier to digest while crushing it on the bike. Most importantly, the stuff tastes great. Using as directed, Fruit Punch is really strong but quenches the innermost cravings deep into a tough ride on a hot day. The Lemon Lime, Grape and Orange are better for those who prefer a lighter taste without sacrificing energizing hydration. For those with a fussy stomach, try EFS on the bike, but also pack a water-only bottle until you know how you handle the beverage. I recommend this when trying any new sports drink. My only qualm is that EFS (or any other sports drink for that matter) has not figured out how to include the bourbon whiskey. I don’t know why. Alcohol could be the next big thing, and it should be. Let me share some numbers. Carbohydrates provide four calories of energy for every gram, fat provides nine calories per gram and alcohol is seven calories per gram. This relates to power output
because power is simply how many calories burned— energy output—per unit time. While sugar burns before fat, providing only four calories per gram instead of nine, alcohol burns first, and at the rate of seven calories per gram—almost twice as much as sugar. What does this mean in terms of tearing it up out there over barriers or on the roads? It means more calories can burn at a rapid rate, providing a potential to put out more power. On a side note, alcohol also has higher hydrophobic character, so it will help absorb micronutrients. Not to mention, it can help you get into a pretty good mental state that some would call the zone. Before installing flask-cages on your carbon steeds, realize that alcohol is dehydrating, has toxic byproducts and it decreases coordination. It also has not been tested at what I would call performance levels on athletes. So if you do decide to go Southern-style and add bourbon to the bottle of Carolina BBQ, pickle juice and sweet tea, please don’t do it during a group ride or race [unless it’s cyclocross -Ed.]. Start with small amounts, less than a shot—this amount will still provide energy while decreasing toxic and dangerous side effects. Disclaimer: ROAD is not responsible for any mishaps, but Erin Lamb should still receive intellectual credit for this brilliant theory. Cheers! Erin Lamb is a chemist and just a regular California Girl: californiagirlsproductions.com.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR UNIFORM Whatever your team’s kit requires - graphics, fabric, t or sizes - Nalini can deliver, using the same made-in-Italy quality we use in outtting the professional peloton. Low minimums and high performance.
Instead of brine, EFS matches the salts in your cells with a blend of five electrolytes. This prevents cramping while providing your body with what it needs to keep cool and convert sugar molecules into power. It also keeps you from wanting to vomit pickle juice in the middle of that
86 • ROAD MAGAZINE
www.albabici.com
Maybe it’s the summer heat, but damn, what I’d do for some Carolina BBQ and a swig of my granddaddy’s moonshine on this third mountain pass. But as I sip from the bottle of EFS, all cravings and hallucinations disappear thanks to the salubrious, balanced blend.
Seven years ago, I went for a bicycle ride in Durham, North Carolina, with Billy. It was around 95 degrees and torrentially humid. After tromping through the Smokey Mountains, we stopped at a corner market and Billy handed his bottle right on over to the cashier. He asked for pickle juice. I looked at him and he whispered, “Salt, you need salt!” Without skipping a beat, the cashier snagged the pickle jar, yellowing from age, and ladled out the liquid. Another time, I rode with a Southerner from Georgia on a hot day in Palm Springs, California. He filled his bottles with sweet tea. What is it with these Southerners and their sports beverages? I bet if the good folks of North Carolina knew the benefits of having protein in sports drinks, they would blend up their pulled pork and mix it in with that balsamicy barbecue sauce then plop it in a bike bottle of pickle juice. Here’s some good news—no one needs to do that because 1st Endurance has figured it all out. The science-based company developed a recipe that outperforms and out tastes any Carolina BBQ-pickle juice-sweet tea beverage. Their EFS (Electrolyte Fuel System) drink mix comes in four flavors [Fruit Punch, Grape, Lemon Lime or Orange] and requires no high-powered blender or crockpot for preparation. 1st Endurance recently developed a new formula that blends electrolytes, sugars and amino acids according to research and performance tests. Electrolytes are ions, or charged atoms and molecules, that help cells maintain water balance and are involved in vital cellular communication and metabolism. Sugars are small molecules that are also involved in cell communication, and they also provide energy. Amino acids are the units that make up proteins and boost endurance and recovery by reducing muscle breakdown and supporting glycogen resynthesis. Instead of raw cane sugar in the form of sweet tea, EFS contains three different carboydrates—glucose, fructose and maltodextrin. Each is absorbed and metabolized at a different rate, so instant and lasting energy are delivered with each sip. Glucose burns first while fructose takes a little longer and hits after the glucose has done its job. Maltodextrin is a tricky carbohydrate. If glucose was a shiny plastic bead, maltodextrin would be a Mardi Gras necklace broken open—it’s a chain of many glucose units. Maltodextrin molecules will be absorbed about as quickly as glucose by the intestines, but each maltodextrin contains many glucose molecules. The bonds that hold the glucose units together break down rapidly after consumption. If that happens before maltodextrin reaches the intestines, then it can be dehydrating, though this is not always the case and depends on the individual and the state of the stomach. So try it out. If it works for you, how awesome is that—all that useable energy available for powering your bicycle.
threshold interval. Although there is more research on the positive effect of including some whole proteins along with carbohydrate in the exercise fuel mix, studies show small amounts of amino acids also increase endurance and performance. Furthermore, where protein has the tendency to go rancid while sitting on the bike by the end of a long ride, amino acids will stay fresh. And, amino acids are more readily absorbed and easier to digest while crushing it on the bike. Most importantly, the stuff tastes great. Using as directed, Fruit Punch is really strong but quenches the innermost cravings deep into a tough ride on a hot day. The Lemon Lime, Grape and Orange are better for those who prefer a lighter taste without sacrificing energizing hydration. For those with a fussy stomach, try EFS on the bike, but also pack a water-only bottle until you know how you handle the beverage. I recommend this when trying any new sports drink. My only qualm is that EFS (or any other sports drink for that matter) has not figured out how to include the bourbon whiskey. I don’t know why. Alcohol could be the next big thing, and it should be. Let me share some numbers. Carbohydrates provide four calories of energy for every gram, fat provides nine calories per gram and alcohol is seven calories per gram. This relates to power output
because power is simply how many calories burned— energy output—per unit time. While sugar burns before fat, providing only four calories per gram instead of nine, alcohol burns first, and at the rate of seven calories per gram—almost twice as much as sugar. What does this mean in terms of tearing it up out there over barriers or on the roads? It means more calories can burn at a rapid rate, providing a potential to put out more power. On a side note, alcohol also has higher hydrophobic character, so it will help absorb micronutrients. Not to mention, it can help you get into a pretty good mental state that some would call the zone. Before installing flask-cages on your carbon steeds, realize that alcohol is dehydrating, has toxic byproducts and it decreases coordination. It also has not been tested at what I would call performance levels on athletes. So if you do decide to go Southern-style and add bourbon to the bottle of Carolina BBQ, pickle juice and sweet tea, please don’t do it during a group ride or race [unless it’s cyclocross -Ed.]. Start with small amounts, less than a shot—this amount will still provide energy while decreasing toxic and dangerous side effects. Disclaimer: ROAD is not responsible for any mishaps, but Erin Lamb should still receive intellectual credit for this brilliant theory. Cheers! Erin Lamb is a chemist and just a regular California Girl: californiagirlsproductions.com.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR UNIFORM Whatever your team’s kit requires - graphics, fabric, t or sizes - Nalini can deliver, using the same made-in-Italy quality we use in outtting the professional peloton. Low minimums and high performance.
Instead of brine, EFS matches the salts in your cells with a blend of five electrolytes. This prevents cramping while providing your body with what it needs to keep cool and convert sugar molecules into power. It also keeps you from wanting to vomit pickle juice in the middle of that
86 • ROAD MAGAZINE
www.albabici.com
