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Hi All,
Happy New Year,
I was curious to see what type of sports drink you all use. We have been using powdered gatorade forever for mt biking, backpacking, hiking etc. I was just wondering is there is anything better out there on the market. I always take a sports drink when I am going to be out for more than an hour.
What do you all like?????
Thanks,
Ruth
Hi rocknrollgirl - I drink Cytomax.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by rocknrollgirl
Gatorade and Sustained Energy.
V.
water, dilute multivitamin fizzy, or coke (shaken to get the gas out)... of course I have never ridden long enough to require salt replenishment!
These days I like ElectroMix made by Alacer, the folks that make Emer'gen-C. It's potassium/calcium/chromium with a little bit of lemon-lime flavor and no sugar whatsoever. If you want to sweeten it up you can (I have, using a little bit of Cytomax), but I find I like it just the way it is. I learned about it from Bike Goddess last year (thanks BG!).
If I'm using sports gel (I like the Crank gels), then I use only water. I don't do that much any more, though. Too much sugar for my system.
When I ran I used Ultima. I doesn't have any sugar either, but is kind of spendy.
Me too. It doesn't give me the sugar rush/crash that some other do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trekhawk
If I'm going to do intervals, or for some reason need an extra kick, I'll toss it about 1/4 C of Red Bull, Monster, or some other energy drink.
Gookinade - a powder available at REI. It's really great for replacing electrolytes without having lots of flavor or sweetness to it.
Thanks for the suggestions about low-sugar drinks. I know that part of the reason for the drink is quick calories, and that comes from sugar. But man, oh, man, it's just soooo sweet sometimes! I use Accelerade powder, and put one bottle of that and one bottle of water in the cages. After a long ride or run, I'll drink some Endurox. It's so sweet that I usually make it 1/2 strength. I think I'll try some of the lower sugar mixes and do half & half with Accelerade.Quote:
Originally Posted by nuthatch
Lise
Half-Gatorade, Half-Water.
And, these days, after most rides, hot chocolate. :)
Mmmmm, yummy! Me. too!:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Grog
If on a short ride (which they are these days), plain water is enough.
Once the weather warms up, rides get longer, then I use gatorade at about 1/2 strength. I've tried Cytomax - it upsets my stomach. I'll use Accelerade if I think I need a bit more than gatorade, but I really don't care for the taste. Rock Star Energy drink (a red bull clone, but cheaper) is very tasty and I'll drink that for variety, but I don't care for the effervescence it has. Put it in your water bottle and every time you open the top --POP, FIZZ-- you get a little squirt out of the bottle. Can get pretty sticky.
annie
Gatorade works for me. I carry Gatorade in my water bottles and water in my Camelbak for long rides.
--- Denise
Heck, I'd try that just for the name. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by nuthatch
Personally, I tend to just use water, but I seldom go for more than a two-hour ride.
If the ride is under 2 hours, plain water is sufficient under most conditions...especially if I've planned ahead and have eaten a small carbo rich snack about an hour before the ride.
For rides over 2 hours I have a strategy similar to what Lise describes: One bottle of Accelerade and one bottle of water. I usually dilute the Accelerade more than the product calls for.
There are other products that I've found that taste better than Accelerade but none of them have worked as well for me in terms of hydration and sustained energy. I would experiment with several products and find the one that works for you.
Gatorade for example is a great product for a lot of people but it gives me cramps when I drink it -even diluted!
-traveller
Hey rocknrollgirl - I forgot to mention in my previous post Pedialyte. On previous threads about hydration this has been recommended by other forum users who found sports drink didnt agree with them (cramps etc). I always keep some in the house now and it comes in handy when the kids get sick too.:)
OK, so here is what I have learned so far. Everyone has their own special blend of drink that they like...makes sense, no overwhelming, screaming majority for one product.
Here is what I find interesting....that many of you do not take a sports drink for rides under two hours. Right now we typically mt bike between 90 and 120 mins a session. I always take one if we are going to be out over an hour. I wonder if I need to??? I am working up a good sweat, even in the cold temps. Hmmmmm.....
In the summer I know I need one without question, it is so stinking hot and humid here.
head scratchin' going on....:confused:
You should be taking in some calories to fuel your ride.
V.
I always have Gatorade with me - even for short rides. And I always carry an energy bar too, just in case. I keep one stashed in my seat bag.Quote:
Originally Posted by rocknrollgirl
--- Denise
Thanks, that is what I thought. Last saturday I ate two hours before we went, and was starving in the middle of the ride. I have been reminding myself whlie I ride that the calories are good, but I just started feeling like a weenie...
I am making my own:
juice of 1 lemming (unstrained)
5 heaping tsp fructoze
1/3 tsp salt
water to fill 1 litre bottle
I ride about 3 hours but summer is very hot here even in the early morning like 35 - 40 deg C. Winter is not cold like what you gals are describing - long-sleeve dry-flo plus windbreak-y layer is enough 4 me on top and good sox
And a purple- and -blue- tones silk scarf for *style* and added windbreak
If my ride is over one hour and it is hot, I take one bottle of plain water & one bottle of weak Cytomax. Remember - if you have a flat or otherwise end up being out longer than you expect, you will need extra water.
Besides, added weight on the bike helps build up your muscles & cardiovascular system. :D
If you are out for two hours or less, replacing water is far more important to your body than is electrolyte replacement (assuming excellent health and good nutritional status).Quote:
Originally Posted by rocknrollgirl
That said, it probably doesn't make a big difference if you chose to drink plain water or a sports drink on shorter rides. More important is to "drink before you are thirsty and eat before you are hungry"!
-traveller