 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Evening folks. I am a big fan of High5 4:1 but of late I am finding that unless I wash, boil and steralise my camelbak after each ride now I am getting stomach cramps with it.
Am I alone in having this problem? It makes sense to me (in my no way qualified mind) that the protein in it would cause bacteria to grow quickly.
Previously I had been getting away with a simple rinse and then freezing the bladder, but this just doesnt seem to cut it now.
The stomach cramps is 4:1 and not your camelbak. I use bottle most of the time now and get the same. I've always had this issue with High5 which is annoying as its a great performer
I find I get red/black mould developing around the threads and nozzle of my bottles if I use 4:1 a couple of days in a row without a proper wash, never had stomach cramps though.
aff - MemberThe stomach cramps is 4:1 and not your camelbak. I use bottle most of the time now and get the same. I've always had this issue with High5 which is annoying as its a great performer
I had suspected that too Taff but I had been using it for a few months without any bad reaction. I was off the bike for about 3 weeks there and now it's given me problems on all of my recent rides since getting back out. Might be a combination of things.
I think I'll stick to water tomorrow as I am travelling too far to have my day ruined but I might try going back to the 2:1 on a few local rides and see how that goes.
I've had 4:1 left in bottles for weeks - and I'm still here, not noticed anything untoward or thought anything about it. Personally I think there is so much salt in there that it takes ages to go dodgy.
I've been getting stomach cramps too since using High5 2:1 - noticed the Camel back was a bit mouldy - so is it the mould or the High5 that is causing the problem ???
re high5 - horses for courses - I used to do half and full Ironmans on it in cooler conditions no bother but others couldn't stomach it.
re mould - just keep your bladders in the freezer between rides and then never an issue.
I get the red mould forming in my camelbak when using any energy drink and not washing it properly and allowing it to dry properly. A mate works for High5 so ill ask him what he thinks. I can get quite sick from the cramps at times. Is it only 4:1 you get this with?
It's the fructose in high 5 that causes some people stomach discomfort, whilst some people are fine with it others seem to be less tolerant of it.
Try using milton to sterilise instead.
Although it says that you don't need to rinse it out it seems that I successfully gave a mate severe bowel problems by not rinsing out the bottle I was cleaning for him - he had to rush home from work as his stomach was making disturbing gurgling sounds - and that was a day where he had ridden the motorcycle to work - when he got home he dropped the bike on the grass outside the flat and rushed in to use the loo - only just in time - he then had to take the next day off and he was contracting at the time!
Shouldn't laugh but its a little funny!
Taff
Is it only 4:1 you get this with?
Well yesterday I tried a bottle of 2:1 before going out with just water in the pack. No bad reaction. Then I had some 4:1 when I got home just to check, and again no reaction which is pretty confusing.
TurnerGuy
Try using milton to sterilise instead.
That's what I was using.
I'd think it was the 4:1 not the bacteria too. If it was bacteria you'd have more problems than just cramp like TurnerGuy's friend.
The other thing I'd suggest is a camelbak full of 4:1 is a lot of 4:1 for your stomach to deal with! Most roadies tend to take 1 bottle of energy drink and one of water on long rides. Since taking up longer road rides I rarely now fill more than 2/3rds in my camelbak even for all day rides on the mountainbike. My last (imperial) centuary on the road bike I set off with 2x 750ml and came back with one half full still!
The only times I use 4:1 now (I make it DIY for a fraction of the price from whey/maltodextrin/fructose so might not be entirely the same recipie) is for ~2hour fast rides with groups where I know I'm going to struggle on the back and there's not the option of going slow/fat burning/paceing/whatever and I just want as many calories into my bloodtream as quickly as possible so take 1 x 750ml bottle. Longer rides I usualy use DIY 2:1 but very dilute, and eat more normal foods (sweets, sandwiches, trail mix) gradualy migrating to the simpler carbs towards the end of the ride.