Learn how many carbs per hour you really need for endurance training and racing — from everyday rides to high-performance efforts — and how to choose the right INFINIT formula for your carb target.

Gravel races come with their own set of challenges: long days in the saddle, unpredictable terrain, and often limited aid station support. Whether your goal is simply to finish feeling strong or to go all-out for a PR, here’s your step-by-step guide to race day fueling.

Sugar. This sweet and energy-rich substance (C12H22O11) has been used and treasured by humans for thousands of years. It is one of the world’s oldest documented commodities. It's also one of the most utilized ingredients in the world, and is responsible for bringing sweetness to our lives in the form of baked goods, chocolate, ice cream, and so much more. So why have these once highly valued granular bits of sweetness suddenly found their way into our health-conscious crosshairs?

Despite what some folks in the endurance world may try to tell you, science has proven time and time again that carbohydrate is the body’s preferred source of energy. Sure the body can operate solely off of fat and ketone bodies (when you force your body into an metabolic adaptation called "ketosis"), but it will probably feel like you're fighting an uphill battle. 

Infinit's carbohydrate blend is a combination of sucrose, dextrose and maltodextrin. Dextrose and sucrose are slightly faster burning molecules and are broken down more quickly by the body for optimal absorption. The short distance end of the slider has a higher percentage of faster burning dextrose for quick energy. Maltodextrin is slower burning, and therefore is more conducive for long distance endurance events. The long distance end of the slider uses primarily maltodextrin for its endurance qualities. Adjusting the slider will change the percentage of dextrose to maltodextrin.