Do these drinks work as claimed? (Photo: Tom Bachur)
In August of 2008, I planned a long bike trip from Bel Air, Maryland to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The trip would cover almost 1,200 miles each way. I planned to make it to Eureka Springs in three days, riding about 400 miles each day.
The trip went very well and I parlayed my experiences into an article: "Tips for Planning Your Motorcycle Trip."
One of my concerns during the trip was the hour or two after my lunch break. From experience, I know that my body goes through a natural "low energy" period immediately after I eat lunch. My concern was becoming drowsy while I was riding. Friends recommended the "5-hour ENERGY" drinks, so I bought one of these for each day I'd be on the road.
Unlike other "energy drinks" that are loaded with caffeine and sugar, the "5-hour ENERGY" drinks contain no sugar and only as much caffeine as one cup of coffee. The 5-hour ENERGY drinks rely on a combination of vitamins to provide energy. Each bottle contains 2 ounces of drink and according to the instructions, one ounce (1/2 the drink) provides a moderate amount of energy, and the full two ounces provides maximum energy.
Not knowing what to expect, I drank a bottle of 5-hour ENERGY after lunch on each of my travel days. I was very surprised by the results. I don't drink caffeine, so I was expecting a caffeine high that never materialized. My energy level remained high and steady, and I never felt any type of energy crash sometimes associated with energy drinks. Since that trip, I've become a big fan of these energy drinks. My experience has been nothing but positive and I highly recommend these drinks as a way to maintain the required attention levels during long rides.
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Comments
Good to know. I personally live on caffeine but my husband is caffeine intolerant. This may be something to pack for those long riding days.
Yep they work grand, just this last fall I was coaxed into making a run from Missouri to Central W. Va. We didnt leave Mo until around 8pm and I drove stright thru the night with the help of a couple of these little gems.
I have used them after a particularly hard weekend to stay awake at work as well.
No crash they just wear off on you start to feel as if you never took them. No jitters, no wired feeling, they are great.
We often ride 400, even 700 miles a day on long trips, and I faithfully take along my 5 hour energy drinks. It's a great product.
I have been using these drinks for 3 years now. Nothing but GOOD results. (I like the wild berry )
I swear by these things. I think that they all taste like yuck, the citrus being the most tolerable, but luckily there isn't much in the bottle and you can chase it with any beverage and it easily washes away the taste. I have used them for traveling and for school. In a society that seems to run off the "hopped up soda" that other energy drinks are, it is nice to see a product that actually works.
400 miles a day?! Where is that Iron Butt spirit? :) Just kidding.
Thanks for the review. I have been curious about those things.
Excellent critique Tom. I know a couple of folks that would eventually just fall over if it weren't for 5-hour.
I'm in agreement with the information on "5 hour energy" drink. the only time I've noticed that the drink didn't perform up to standards was when I was overly tired.
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