Clif Builders Bar (12 x 68g)

The Clif Builder's Bar has transformed my training. The 20g of protein is packaged in a tasty bar that I usually end up eating as a snack. It's probably too hard to chew during the main part of a ride, and isn't designed to be anyway, but it's perfect for post-ride or cool-down snacking.

My old routine after a race or hard training session, on the bike or at the gym, was to consume a disgusting protein shake that I bought because it had the highest calorie and protein count I could find. I tried to consume it as quickly as possible but, more often than not, half would be left after I conveniently 'forgot' about it.

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When these landed in the office for testing, it coincided with snack time. How convenient. Snacking away, the first thing I noticed was the distinct layers within the bar. You get an outer layer, a chunky peanut butter layer, and a biscuity base. The taste is surprisingly pleasant. I'm used to weird tasting energy bars, so having something that I was happy to simply snack on was brilliant.

The nutrition profile is also pleasing: 20g of protein is pretty much ideal for recovery. I spoke to Ted Munson, performance nutritionist at SIS, who said that research has shown our bodies can only really absorb between 20-25g of protein every 2-3 hours. The exact figure varies between athletes, but 20g should be good enough to cover my harder training sessions.

The 27g of carbohydrate is also a welcome sight. Replacing used carbs after a ride is important for recovery as it's the main source of fuel for cycling, especially at a reasonable tempo. The 22g of sugar that contributes to the carb count is possibly what makes this taste so good – the bar isn't sickly sweet and the peanuts really help to keep the bar neutral.

It's quite a solid consistency, so I avoided eating it during harder riding, preferring to nibble on the flat, or at the back of a group. It also stayed that way in my back pocket, happily not melting in the spring warmth. My favourite time to eat this, though, was when I was cruising back home, a couple of miles from my door.

Out on the bike, I've had no stomach issues, although you'll need a little water once you've eaten it.

Overall, I'm very impressed by the Builder's Bar. The taste is very pleasant and the nutrition profile is perfect for post-ride recovery. Highly recommended.

Verdict

Super-tasty post-ride recovery snack