I’ve used Hostess fruit pies during training.
Skittles would be an interesting experiment.
jaretj
I think (and I certainly am not an expert) that the gels are designed to absorb through the stomach wall more rapidly. That’s my understanding
I use my kids fruit snacks, they are not as chewy as skittles or sour patch kids 
… What ever you can get down your throat is beneficial.
Twizzler Nibs=Clif Blocks
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I had a small ziplock bag of candy corn during my run at IMAZ yesterday. I knew I would be bored of Gels after the bike, I just put the candy corn in my mouth and they kind of melt. I did get some wierd looks, but hey, it got me through
Snickers!
Haha I’m eating skittles while reading this and the first thing that I thought was “Why the hell am I not training?!”
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I use Mars bars (Milky Ways in the USA) as my main calorie source during training. Lovely. Were perhaps a little soft in AZ, but generally delic. Compare nutrition profile to Powerbars… virtually identical apart from a bit of fat.
It’s not candy, but I throw a frozen PB&J - uncrustables or whatever they are called - in my back pocket, and at about an hour, they are perfect to eat. It’s usually the first thing I eat when I’m going to go longer than about 2.5 or 3 hours. I try to stick to solid foods for the first couple of feedings, as I know once I hit about 3 to 5 hours, I have a hard time forcing anything, so I am stuck with gels - delay the monotony.
Gummy Snakes
(I learned that from Hamish Carter at a training camp some years ago (just before he won his gold medal) and I swear by them)
I just can’t leave them in the pantry or my kids steal them! LOL
Hells yeah, mostly cause I’m poor.
I GU - 1.00 - 100 calories
10 oz gummy bears - 1.00 - 700 calories
way more bang for the buck!
I have heard Greg Welch used Allens (Aussie Brand) “Strawberries and Creams” on the run in Kona in 1994…must have gone ok then…?
Snickers. They’re a perfect long ride fuel.
Pop tarts. OK, not quite candy but easy to digest calories.
Twizzler Nibs=Clif Blocks
I love Nibs and often make models of Stonehenge out of them–Nibhenge.
reese’s and chocalate covered bacon.
Swedish Fish and Gummy worms
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I use those for pre-race meals
jaretj
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Snickers. Although after having 9 of them on one ride this summer I got kinda burned out. Been using reeses fast break bars recently. Pretty much a bunch of pb cubs roller up in bar form, its amazing.
Yes!! Perfect on long rides. Stopped at a gas station once and they didnt have anything remotely like an energy bar so I grabbed cinammon frosted pop tarts, one of my fastest rides ever!