The taste test is quite a frequent occurrence.

For years I\’ve carried packets of GU-Gel with me on my long rides. I like to eat one at each rest break. For my weekday morning rides, I have a few with me just in case I need them. Even when I\’m only riding to and from work, or the grocery store, I keep one or two in the outside zip pocket of my bike trunk.

There are many flavors of GU-Gel available. Over time I\’ve tried quite a few of them. My favorites are Salted Caramel; Chocolate Outrage; and Tri-Berry. Vanilla Bean is pretty good, too; and so is Maple-Bacon.

Recently I became aware of  the Toasted Marshmallow flavor. When I rode Tour de Cure about five weeks ago, the rest-stop snacks included that particular flavor of GU-Gel. I did a taste test; liked it; and ordered a supply of my own.

Taste-testing doesn\’t stop with GU-Gel, of course. I like to try various cereal bars while on my weekly long rides. Some, I find, don\’t seem to have the \”oomph\” that I need when I\’m pedaling for several hours, even if they taste good. XL-Bars, for instance.

But that\’s part of the purpose of the weekly long ride: to find out what works; so that when a long event comes up, I\’ll know what I need to take with me for on-bike eating. I need the nutrition while pedaling; but if it takes good, so much the better!