Gatorade alternatives? Salt on a ride?

[TrekTheKaty]

A word about drinks with protein--they make your water bottles a real PITA to clean. If you don't get them cleaned out really, really well mold will grow rather quickly. I don't have a dishwasher and have decided to nix the protein drinks.
.

This is a a great thread!

I'll have to order some Cytomax Lite.

Darn! Perpeteum is soy based! I just ordered a sample pack. Thanks for warning me. I missed that.

YEP! I have a dishwasher, but it was disforming my polar water bottles tops. Let's just say I've created quite the science experiment in there when I left them for a couple of days. Guess I missed the day in school where they teach you you can also grow mold in liquids.

[TrekTheKaty]

Out of Nancy Clark's "Sports Nutrition Guidebook":
"For a low-cost fluid replacer that has a nutritional profile similar to the more expensive commercial sports drinks, try this simple recipe."

4 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c. boiling water
1/4 c. orange juice (not concentrate) or 2 Tbsp lemon juice
3-3 3/4 c. cold water

1. In the bottom of a pitcher, dissolve the sugar and salt in the hot water.
2. Add the juice and the remaining water; chill.
3. Quench that thirst!

[StressFree]

For some reason I ALWAYS crave salt

[KayAyZee]

In July I started using Enlyten sports strips on a recommendation from a friend. I was really suffering with the heat and humidity and these seemed to actually help. Although I have to admit I think they are easier to use while running than riding.

The Enlyten are electrolyte "strips" that you put between your cheek and your gums (look kind of like those breath freshening strips). Supposedly the electrolytes are absorbed through your cheek lining and go directly into your circulation so they bypass the whole gastric path and work faster.

Can't make any claims on if they work better than any other electrolyte supplement, but they are really convenient to carry so I usually have a pack with me. I got them at GNC. About $5-6 for two packs of 18 strips each.

[TrekTheKaty]

I like the Clif Shotbloks margarita flavor with extra salt.
And Payday bars

We've been using Cytomax instead of gatorade for longer rides. Got it at GNC, but it turns out they have it at our local bike shops and REI. We don't use the full 1 1/2 scoop--too thick. Just 1 scoop in a 24 oz bottle.

I bought electrolyte tablets to carry in my handlebar bag, but haven't tried them yet.

I've also had my share of payday bars

[Jiffer]

I use Cytomax Lite. It's not as thick or sweet as regular Cytomax. It doesn't have protein in it, so on a ride longer than 90 minutes, I take an Excel Gel, which has protein.

My dh is now into Perpetuem, another sports drink, which does have protein. It's soy based. I had stomach problems the 2nd and 3rd time I tried it, so I went back to Cytomax and take the gels. My stomach problems might not have been related to the Perpetuem, but I'm not taking any chances. Plus, the soy in it gives me allergy issues.

I have heard of loading up on extra salt the day before an endurance ride, but not carrying salt with you during a ride. This is interesting. However, I don't sweat as much as some people, so I don't think this is as much of an issue for me.

[cobalt]

I am printing all of this great info so I don't forget once I get to the store!

I don't sweat much at all, I think people who sweat stay cooler.

My nose on the other hand... I go through lots of Kleenex on rides!

[mayanorange]

I really like Nuun for salt and if you add a teaspoon of sugar, it's good for a little longer rides too. I've tried finding ones that have more potassium (I tend to be low), but most of them just taste gross. Maybe next I'll try the DIY version with salt substitute and normal salt, but then I'd have to decide on flavoring and think ahead!

[alpinerabbit]

You can use maltodextrin (partially hydrolyzed corn starch) for carbs plus regular salt.

People do Ironmans with that home-made mix.

[Jolt]

I really like Nuun for salt and if you add a teaspoon of sugar, it's good for a little longer rides too. I've tried finding ones that have more potassium (I tend to be low), but most of them just taste gross. Maybe next I'll try the DIY version with salt substitute and normal salt, but then I'd have to decide on flavoring and think ahead!

You can use Koolaid packets (the kind where you add your own sugar) or if you want to skip all the artificial crap that's in there, you can use herbal tea (fruit flavored ones are best--Trader Joe's has a blackberry one that works really well) or even green tea.

[wildhawk]

DH has a new 12-hour shift job that is physically demanding - he was getting some cramping the other night and remembered that I had tucked a couple of the electrolyte packets from PowerBar into our lunch kit, mixed one with a bottle of water and it straightened him right out. Now he is packing them on a regular basis. Makes a difference!

[RoadRaven]

When my partner first started doing longer rides, we made a concoction of glucose water, and a teaspoon of salt.
It worked well
He does several 70-80km rides per week now, plus 1-2 100-140km rides per week, and he only takes plain water as well as a handful of fruit bars to eat along the way.

[Aiacha]

I will have to try some of these products, thanks! And I'll mention the low salt causing cramps to a friend of mine. She gets cramps in her calf so bad she can hardly walk and we've been trying to figure out why.