Sports Drinks alternative?

[SadieKate]

I find that I digest Cytomax better than Gatorade. I've always diluted it a bit and added Crystal Lite to make it taste better. Several of the TE ladies recommended E-caps (capsules) from Hammer Gel for pure electrolyte replacement without the calories. This combo seems to be working very well for me and hubby. I've recommended the E-caps to others who seem to be having equal success.

[mikki]

I've recently tried Vitamin Water by Glaceau. Not overly sweet, plus vitamins/minerals. Different formulas. I like Revive (B complex, E, C, and minerals, plus ginseng and gotu), fruit punch flavor.

[JesTutripup]

Careful, cause the same happened to me this weekend. The sweetest biker called me from behind to make sure I was ok. The pain had me walking half a mile. The heat can play a factor in the cramp as well.

You may need to put something solid in your tummy. I had a nice green apple. Also I carry Perrier with ice in waterbottle and Accelerade in my hydration pack.

Mineral water and an apple sets me straight. Sugar and doses of caffiene can probably throw you over heeving or in pain.

[bikerHen]

Thanks for your input! There is so much to learn! Heat was NOT an issue on this ride. The first half was in a cold rain, the second half was drying and thawing out in the weak but warm sunshine. I'm sure it was the Gatorade. This was the first time I've really drank the stuff. I tried to go 50/50 with water but it was still to much. I ate some, mostly protien bars, but we were so long on the ride I do think my empty stomach was part of the problem too. SadieKate, where do I find the E-caps? They sound like they are worth a try.

[CorsairMac]

Electro-Mix by Alacercorp, the same people that make Emer-Gen-C. It has nothing in it but what you need. It can be added to anything and I do mean just about Anything coz it's a very light lemon-lime flavour. It does not have sodium in it tho so on very hot days or very long rides you might need to add a dash of salt.

oops - my bad: shes' right it's Electro-Lyte (it's a mental thing.....that name just never sounds right to me! :-D)

[MomOnBike]

I'll add my vote for Electro-Mix/-Lite/Whatever it's called. Small packets, easy and light to carry, not much taste, can be mixed with every liquid I've tried it with so far. Pretty close to perfect. So far the best combo is one packet in a really big glass of iced tea and, um, an amount of dumb old table sugar.

One recovery beverage that hasn't been mentioned here that I really like is a smallish glass of diluted orange juice mixed with a heaping teaspoon of brewer's yeast. (OK, I'm just an old hippy. It's cool.) I've use that for years to put some bounce back in my step. It's kind of a mess, though, so I just drink it at home.

[SimpleCycle]

I think E-caps is the name of all their supplement products. I know people who use the Endurolytes capsules for electrolyte replacement. They also sell it in powder form you can mix into your drink. You can order it directly from their website:

http://www.e-caps.com/

And click on "Buy Hammer Now"

Some bike stores carry their products too, I think. I haven't found the Endurolytes anywhere though.