What has become of our sport? In addition to the negative publicity from doping, there’s now a company making a device that serves mixed drinks! Your liquid and gel is now combined in the same water bottle. The Gel-Bot is a simple yet ingenious idea. Why didn’t I think of that?

I can barely tear open a gel packet and pedal at the same time without making a mess. Other riders have told me they experience the same problem. Now, before the ride, you load up to 3.2 ounces of gel into a tube that’s inside the bottle.  After you fill it, push up on the bottom of the tube to get the air out, just like a syringe (no doping implied).

Simply squeeze the bottle as you normally would (with the nozzle closed) and out comes your gel. Take as much or as little as you want. The downside is that a couple of gel packets may not be enough for a long ride or race so you better equip two Gel-Bots. Follow that with a shot of water by pulling up on the nozzle and giving it another squeeze. The water capacity is 24 ounces. No runs, no drips, no errors! Say goodbye to sticky empty packets in your jersey pocket. Having gel and liquid in the same bottle may also save crucial seconds in time trials.

My assistant Eyegor asked if the gel would leak out. Off we went to the lab. I placed the bottle on its side and waited, and waited, and waited. It was like watching paint dry. Nothing happened.  It was difficult to resist the urge to shake and squeeze the bottle. Nothing happened either.

The Gel-Bot combines two functions. Nutrition and hydration are in one container. The lid will fit any Specialized water bottle. It eliminates sticky mess and prevents littering. It is easy to disassemble and clean in the dishwasher. Barkeep, I’ll have a double.

No need to read the book, watch the video at www.hydrapak.com.