Have you ever bought a CD by your favorite band only to be disappointed by your first impression?  But then, strangely, after you listen to it 5 more times it becomes your all-time favorite?  This is much like my experience with Carb-Boom Energy Gels.  When I first muckled onto their caffeinated Vanilla Orange, my response was "Whoa!  Welcome to Puckerville!"  However, after using their products for a few weeks I have become a huge fan.

Carb-Boom is different from the other gels in that their products lean on the more "all-natural" side -- they are "flavored with real fruit!"  This appealed to the tree-hugging, nuts n' twigs, woodchuck Vermonter in me.  They offer 4 different flavors -- the aforementioned Vanilla Orange (with caffeine), Strawberry Kiwi, Banana Peach and Apple Cinnamon (see flavor analysis below).  Of these, Apple Cinnamon is the clear winner amongst my riding buds.  The flavor is so nice that it conjures up memories of the batches of applesauce Grammy used to make back in the homeland.

On top of the all-natural appeal, Carb-Boom's gels offer staying power.  Granted, the effect isn't as long as a snack that has more substance (i.e. bars).  It was my experience, however, that I didn't get such a bounce-and-burn effect.  Rather, it seemed I received a nice, steady boost for 15-20 minutes (longer if I wasn't hammering as much).  One of my riding buddies experienced a ride-long buzz on the caffeinated Vanilla Orange.  My normally low-key friend turned into a freakin' blubbering fool, yapping like a teenaged girl on the phone with her friends.  Truth be known he doesn't consume caffeine so that might have been the problem -- so you may want to keep that particular gel away from these types.

So I say give Carb-Boom a try.  It's a great product and even offers entertainment value!

Vanilla Orange (with caffeine):  Tastes like orange creamsicle.

Strawberry Kiwi:  As advertised.

Banana Peach:  Mashed bananas with Peach marmalade.

Apple Cinnamon:  Apple sauce; just like Grammy's.

Buy it now.