I dislike GU nearly as much as I dislike chipseal.  Does anyone know of a mid-ride high-energy replacement  
d-r-i-n-k, or at very most a smoothie-like consistency product?  Tired of going to the LBS, and asking clerks who don't know.     Might as well ask folks with the experience of various products.   Before it's even mentioned, let's leave pickle juice and all gooey things out of the discussion.  

Quote from Tiger_Mike on Aug 16^th, 2013, 10:41pm:

 
I did mention NO gooey things.  Shot bloks are jelly cubes.  Tried 'em.  Don't even mention them, please.  I'm pretty seriously looking for something worthwhile.

Have you tried Clif bars?  Not gooey or squishy at all.  As a diabetic I find that they work for me while on the bike.  
 
If you google up "Logan Bread" you can also somewhat make your own ride food.  Vicky will be along shortly and post up her recipe.  It works pretty well while on the bike, the only issue I've found is that I can't quite manage a ziplock one handed.
 
I am somewhat moving over to trail mix, dried fruit, and almonds as ride food to see if I can come up with something that works well for me on long rides.
 
Semper Fi

I use this as a basic recipe for logan bread.
 
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup diced nuts (almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, whatever you like)
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup powered milk
1/2 cup honey
3/8 cup molasses
 
Mix it all up in a big bowl.  You're looking for a raw consistency of thicker than cooked oatmeal.  Spread it into a 9x13" greased pan.  Bake at 275F for 90min or so, until cooked and nicely dry.  It has the consistency of dense bread--sort of like fruitcake I guess.
 
The last batch I make this week, had no wheat flour--I used old fashioned rolled oats and a large can of pumpkin pie filling instead, and left out the dry milk, honey and brown sugar. There was about 1/4cup of real maple syrup added though.  It came out a little bland except for the cranberries, and had a much moister texture, but not gooey.  The main recipe above will be nice and solid, easy to handle and keeps rather well on the ride.
 
Feel free to experiment with the base recipe, adding or subtracting what you want.

Again, I'm looking for a fluid...liquid...a non-viscous substance that one would drink, that is, an imbibitional replenishment.  I already have solid food that I eat, but thank you for the suggestions.  Vicki, that concoction sounds appetizing.  Thanks.  
 
Tony,
I do love chocolate milk, and I have some every once in a while, but I'm one of the less-lactose-tolerant folks.  Once in while okay, not a regular ride strategy, though.

The canned nutrition drinks are a lot cheaper by the 4-pack than at the Seven-Eleven.  However, the cans don't do so well being frozen.  Best you could do would be to chill them and fashion an insulating wrapper for them.  Although, Key has the legs to carry around an ice chest!  

Quote from Action Lad on Aug 18^th, 2013, 12:08am:
What Bud said about Maltodextrin. You can buy it bulk for a great price or with additives as a sports drink. If you don't like sweeteners or flavoring, or want to add your own, try straight or something like Carbo-Pro.
 
Quote:
For a little extra protein to fuel your brain (if you start getting sleepy on a long ride), go with something like a thinned coconut or almond milk with some added protein powder.
 
I usually run 3 bottles of Carbo-Pro at half or 1/3 strength with green tea to 1 bottle of thinned almond milk w protein every four hours during a race. This is entirely what I fuel with during every race up through the 12 hour races. For 24 hour races, I usually add two bottles of thinned sweet potato soup during the race and one protein bar that I take a bite out of every few hours just to give my stomach something to chew on.
 
I often do 1-3 century rides a week in traffic (slower pace) and do 2 bottles of the malto/tea, 1 of the protein and 1 water and eat a solid meal shortly after I get home. In winter I can get by on 1 malto/tea and 1 protein for a century, maybe 1 water if I'm cranking it, then eat when done.

Quote from rmillay on Aug 18^th, 2013, 9:53am:

Okay, now we're starting to get somewhere.
Sounds like I need to see what's there at Seven-Eleven.  Thanks, Bob.