Red Bull

[skidude]

Anyone ever try it? THink it works for TUcks? (way up or down)

[BCSKIER]

I have but I may just be an idiot. I drink those suckers whenever I do anything active. Before hockey, mt biking, hiking, and skiing. I had two this past Sunday when we skiied 4 runs in the great gulf. I have a feeling they may be bad for you, real bad. But, I have convinced myself that they work. I think that it is just mental, but I continue to drink the stuff anyway. Until I hear just how bad it is (maybe on this thread), I will probably continue.

[Mumster]

BCSKIER:
I have but I may just be an idiot. I drink those suckers whenever I do anything active. Before hockey, mt biking, hiking, and skiing. I had two this past Sunday when we skiied 4 runs in the great gulf. I have a feeling they may be bad for you, real bad. But, I have convinced myself that they work. I think that it is just mental, but I continue to drink the stuff anyway. Until I hear just how bad it is (maybe on this thread), I will probably continue. The literature supports you, BCSKIER. There have been several studies in the scientific literature showing that it enhances performance, concentration, etc, particularly in the first hour or two after drinking it. I love the stuff, and wouldn't even contemplate tackling the ravine without it. :D

[skicdave]

How about Hermit Lake Spring Water... bet that would help you 'run' up the hills of Tucks... or help your 'runs' home at least.

[Self Taught Boarder]

I'm in to most of the sports that Red Bull is usually a sponson of events. I have tried one and think it does exactly what it says. With as much Caffine, sugar, and a little bit of water. I think it's possible to accomplish this from other things that dont cost like... $1.50 a can. If I need a suppliment to make stuff happen easier, I'm either out of shape or shouldn't be doing it.
Ride On

[jdew]

I agree with "self taught boarder". If you need Red Bull to get you up for a hike in or out to TR or to get you up for a climb up or ski/ride down a run, you shouldn't be there in the first place. Go natural, water and trail mix will get you there. . . and you won't be shaking.

[RR]

Caffine is good for enabling "fat metabolism" when stored sugars are depleted. Ginseng seems to act the same way. All that being said (and true by the by), here's how I handle stoking the fire without the hops and suds.

Endurance-athlete specific electrolyte replacement drink:
my choice is Emergen-C, packed with the ideal salts balance and the requisite vitamins to make the most of them. Plain water in one bottle (usually in the hydration system) and the electolytes in another bottle (bad idea to put it in a hydration system, unless you are rigorous about cleaning every day). I usually go 3/1 on plain water consumption compared to to eletrolyte solution consumption.

Carbos (some protein):
Cliff Bars, I hate the Carrot Cake, but the rest are okay. These don't weigh a lot but pack the carbs and fiber (you'll know why fiber is such a big deal in about .... years) in a realtively tasty, freeze-resistant package. They can be had with caffine and I bring both sorts along. Forget Harvest bars...light, sure, but lightweight in punch too.

Protein (some carbos):
Powerbar Protein Plus...The Double chocolate...I dislike the rest, but they are all functionally the same. Metri-X makes a good protein bar, I have used it and like it just as well.

The Carbo and Protein bars I have listed make a big deal about balanced nutrient composition. For the most part, I agree with their claims. I usually eat 2 Carbo bars to 1 Protien bar. I usually bring twice as many as I'll need if all goes well. In addition to the odd one or two that live in my first aid kit (I cycle them out within a month or two).

One big caveat, we are all different, absorbing nutrients with differing efficiency. As a result, what works well for me and well for you may turn out to be a couple of totally different setups.

[Mumster]

jdew:
If you need Red Bull to get you up for a hike in or out to TR or to get you up for a climb up or ski/ride down a run, you shouldn't be there in the first place. That's quite a statement jdew - Why shouldn't red bull drinkers be there? Are they preventing you from doing something?

I don't see anything wrong with drinking red bull on a recreational basis - some people like the way it makes them feel and/or it makes a challenging experience more enjoyable - life is short, why not maximize the fun?

[BladeGirl]

I have recently become a fan of Red Bull, taken at the appropriate time. Tastes like it came out of its namesake, but it seems to help. I found if I take it at the start of the hike it works best (love those outhouses :o ), but if I wait until HoJos, then some time in the ravine all the caffene decides it wants out.

[Skilasnow]

jdew:
I agree with "self taught boarder". If you need Red Bull to get you up for a hike in or out to TR or to get you up for a climb up or ski/ride down a run, you shouldn't be there in the first place. Go natural, water and trail mix will get you there. . . and you won't be shaking. I don't think anyone is talking about NEED, as if they couldn't do the hike without, they just appreciate the enhancements. Athletes especially and people generally have been taking enhancement substances for millenia, though many may well have been wives tales, Red Bull is no different. We're not talking about steroids here.

[jdew]

skimom:
jdew:
If you need Red Bull to get you up for a hike in or out to TR or to get you up for a climb up or ski/ride down a run, you shouldn't be there in the first place. That's quite a statement jdew - Why shouldn't red bull drinkers be there? Are they preventing you from doing something?

I don't see anything wrong with drinking red bull on a recreational basis - some people like the way it makes them feel and/or it makes a challenging experience more enjoyable - life is short, why not maximize the fun?

[jdew]

nothing against RED BULL skimom, I was simply agreeing with the previous comment by self-taught boarder: "If I need a suppliment to make stuff happen easier, I'm either out of shape or shouldn't be doing it."

The point that I was trying to convey was that the TR experience is so special that you will be so psyched, especially the first time, that you would not need a supplement to make it happen. But, hey if that's what it takes to make it happen for you, then by all means go for it.

[saxman]

me know 'em heap stronger hooch than RED BULL, be happenin at Tuckermans, sometime. Savvy?

[SkiStooge]

Ultimate trail/hiking food supply for my friends and I (day trip amount-multiply quantity times # of days for multi day excursions.) Liquids:2 litres Koolaid(NOT presweetened...need lotsa sugar...add about 2 cups instead of 1) any flavor except anything green. Green is evil. Bring extra packets of PRE-sweetened for when you run out of the good sugary stuff. Solids: (per person) 1 can Spam. 1 package Oscar Mayer all beef hot dogs. (In the handy re-sealable zip lock package) 1 can Jalepeno Pringles. 4 packages any brand cheese and crackers. 1 large package RED Twizzlers (MUST be RED...black licorice is almost as evil as any form of green Koolaid). Accessories: Salt in a shaker.(I have a neat little spillproof one I got from EMS) This is necessary as the Spam and the hot dogs are nowhere near as salty as when I was a youth. What the heck! Even the Pringles taste better if you put a little salt on 'em! Ibuprofin (any type...cheap is ALWAYS better!) That's it!!! All ya need!!! Stay healthy, be safe, have fun. Al ;)

[SkiStooge]

Oh! I forgot! If you leave the Spam and hot dogs near the outside of your pack and leave it in the sun, they are almost sorta warm when you go to eat this healthy, well-balanced meal! Al

[M@]

Don't forget to salt the ibubrofen.

Along those lines: Used to goto a 4th of July party every year, camping in Tupper Lake, and it was a pretty big "par-tay" atmosphere. I recommended one year we get an "Asprin Lick" to hang from a tree.

M@

[SkiStooge]

Asprin lick sounds like a marketable idea. Hmmmmmmmmm. I suspect that I have to lick my Ibuprofin first to get the salt to adhere to it? lol Have fun, be safe. Al

[Self Taught Boarder]

Wel, Well, Well,
I'm no, All-Natral Kind of Guy but, I do believe in minimal "Suppliments". I obviously hvae writtne my reply incorrectly, I'll use "I statements" and everyone else can take it how they would like. I do things for my own sense of accomplishment. I don't get the same feeling from my activity, if I know I'm using something to make it easier (or less painful). If I want things to be easier, I just try harder or accept the Idea that "It's not for me".
to all those who take this as offensive, It was not my intent.
To all of those who agree, Ride on! it's all Downhill from here!
Ride On.

[elwood]

IMHO, Red Bull tastes like the sweat from the back of that bull's balls... I don't know how people enjoy it with vodka.

For me, the way to get quick energy is by munching on a few fig newtons. Much better for you than all of those power bars, and cheaper too.

And you always have to pack a nice big bag of GORP. No scientific formulas necessary, just old fashioned goodness. :D