{"id":118729,"date":"2025-09-04T07:23:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T07:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/118729\/"},"modified":"2025-09-04T07:23:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T07:23:14","slug":"this-riders-simple-homemade-energy-gel-recipe-saves-him-300-a-month-and-can-be-made-anywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/118729\/","title":{"rendered":"This rider\u2019s simple homemade energy gel recipe saves him $300 a month and can be made anywhere"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Canadian endurance rider has turned to homemade energy gels to fuel his training, claiming his simple DIY recipe cut his nutrition costs by more than $70 a week \u2013 and it\u2019s easy enough for any rider to create their own at home.<\/p>\n

Oliver Dowd says he began experimenting with gels after realising the volume he needed for long rides made shop-bought products unaffordable. \u201cI wanted the convenience of gels in training,\u201d he explains, \u201cbut with the amount I was going through, I couldn\u2019t afford to buy them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dowd consumes between 25 and 30 gels each week. At retail prices, that would typically cost him around $80.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By mixing his own using little more than sugar, sodium alginate and water flavouring, he estimates he spends only $5 per week.<\/p>\n

Each serving contains around 70g of carbohydrate \u2013 \u201cthe important metric everyone cares about,\u201d he says in a video posted on his Instagram feed<\/a> \u2013 putting his recipe in line with commercial gels.<\/p>\n

Dowd originally developed the recipe while preparing for an attempt at the cross-Canada cycling record, which was derailed after an accident left him injured.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI needed a way to make gels in a hotel room with no stove,\u201d he says. A friend suggested sodium alginate as a substitute for cooking down the mixture, enabling him to refine the formula. Sodium alginate is used by brands, including Maurten, to create a gel-like consistency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Before the accident, Dowd tested the gels during two days of back-to-back riding, consuming 15 servings per day without any stomach issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He hasn\u2019t ruled out another record attempt in future, but admits it is \u201ca lot to ask [of] my friends to take that much vacation to support me for two years in a row\u201d.<\/p>\n

For now, the gels remain his go-to fuelling option for training and long rides. \u201cAfter tonnes of long rides as my main fuel source, I can confirm they do work,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Want to make your own?
\n\"\"Dowd developed the recipe ahead of a trans-Canadian record attempt. Oliver Dowd<\/p>\n

SQUIRREL_PLAYLIST_10207918<\/p>\n

Oliver Dowd’s simple energy gel recipe<\/p>\n

Place 70\u202fg of sugar and a pinch (about 1\/8 teaspoon) of sodium alginate into a measuring cup
\nPour in boiling water until the total volume reaches 100ml
\nMix thoroughly until all the dry ingredients dissolve. You may need to add a little more water to maintain 100ml
\nStir in a liquid flavouring, such as Kraft Heinz\u2019s Mio or another water enhancer
\nOnce the mixture has cooled slightly, pour it into soft, reusable containers or silicone bottles for use on the bike<\/p>\n

Dowd packages the gels in refillable silicone travel bottles bought online.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He says these are \u201cno more messy than a regular gel\u201d and reduce the waste of single-use wrappers. While the flavour doesn\u2019t quite match his favourite store-bought options, he describes it as \u201cgood enough to eat for the whole day\u201d.<\/p>\n