Kit's tradeshow energy pick. Photo courtesy.
by Kit Redwine
Interbike is famous for miles of bicycle eye-candy, but it’s also infamous for a lack of affordable and palatable dining options. When your day is packed with meetings, it’s not uncommon to graze all day on gel, bar and drink samples. That’s how our crew stayed lean and mean throughout this year’s show.
We don’t review many food or nutritional products, but Cyclocross Magazine took the opportunity at Interbike to spend a few minutes with Clif Bar’s Chris Randall, Brand Manager for the Clif Shot product line, to learn about the company’s new products.
How do you innovate on energy gels? For starters, Clif is using a new formula that contains 50% more electrolytes than the previous version. A thinner consistency means that your Shot will go down a whole lot easier, with our without water. The packaging has been changed as well, with a smaller opening that should mean less gel on the face and more in the mouth. Unchanged is the Clif Shot “Litter Leash,” which keeps the top of the open pack from turning into trash on the ground.
I sampled the new Chocolate and Citrus flavors. Taste is in the eye of the beholder, or mouth of the…er, taster, of course, and while the Chocolate wasn’t exactly to my liking, it would certainly be welcome in a pinch. On the other hand, I found the Citrus to be quite delicious.
New Clif Shots are available starting this month in the following flavors: Double Expresso, Chocolate Cherry, Vanilla, Razz, Chocolate, Citrus, Strawberry, and Mocha. There’s also a choice of different levels of caffeine depending on the flavor. For more information, visit www.clifbar.com
