Honey for Athletes
Before there were gels, chews, and electrolyte powders, there was honey. Endurance athletes are rediscovering what ancient Olympians already knew: raw honey is one of nature's most effective fuel sources.
Why Athletes Use Honey
Honey is a natural blend of fructose and glucose – two sugars your body absorbs at different rates. Glucose hits your bloodstream fast for immediate energy. Fructose absorbs slower for sustained fuel. Together, they deliver steady energy without the spike-and-crash of refined sugar or the GI distress of artificial gels.
Pre-Workout
One tablespoon of honey 15–30 minutes before training provides approximately 64 calories of clean, natural energy. No artificial ingredients, no preservatives, no mystery chemicals. Just fuel your bees made from flowers.
During Exercise
Our 8oz squeeze bottles are designed for exactly this – a quick squeeze mid-ride or mid-run. Portable, no-mess, no wrapper waste. Runners, cyclists, and triathletes across the Bay Area carry them in jersey pockets and hydration vests.
Post-Workout Recovery
Honey combined with protein supports glycogen replenishment and muscle recovery. Add a tablespoon to your post-workout smoothie, yogurt, or oatmeal. The natural antioxidants in raw honey also help combat exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Honey Sticks – The Perfect Race Fuel
Our honey sticks are single-serve, sealed tubes of pure local honey. Tear, squeeze, done. No sticky mess, no trash to carry. Available in flavors nobody else offers: Sage, Coffee Blossom, Tropical Mango, and Christmas Holly. Pack them in your race bag or gym bag.
Local Athletes, Local Honey
Silicon Valley is home to runners, cyclists, triathletes, swimmers, and CrossFitters who take their nutrition seriously. When you fuel with Mike & Niki's honey, you're getting raw, unfiltered, locally harvested energy – not processed sugar from an industrial supply chain.
Fuel Up
Shop Squeeze Bottles → | Health Benefits → | Find Your Neighborhood Honey →
Meet Michael Ryan and Niki Canotas, the dynamic force behind Mike & Niki's Honey Company. Nestled in Campbell, the heart of Silicon Valley's former orchard lands, they are custodians of a sweet legacy, managing the last standing farms in the echo of the Valley of Heart's Delight. With over 30 apiaries, they have transformed the San Francisco Bay Area into a haven for bees and honey lovers alike. Together, they weave their knowledge of bees with an infectious humor, embodying a partnership that is as harmonious as it is productive. Their dedication to beekeeping and sustainable practices is matched only by their commitment to the community, fostering connections and nurturing the local environment. Their journey is not merely about crafting the finest honey but about preserving the essence of collaboration, education, and environmental stewardship. For Mike and Niki, the hive is a symbol of collective effort and shared success—a testament to the belief that together, we thrive. Join them in their mission to sweeten the world, one bee at a time.
Upcoming Engagements
American Bee Federation 2024, New Orleans Convention. Jan 11, 2024, Speaker, What to know for a Beekeeping Business.