Really Salty Energy Drinks?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I just use some Emergen-C powder in my water for long rides (over 30 miles). It's got plenty of electrolytes and sodium. For shorter rides, just water. Plus, I never ride on an empty stomach.

[Brandy]

Historically, I don't do well in the heat. Last year I was able to manage it much better and I believe it was being pro-active about my electrolyte consumption.

My vote is for Motortabs. I always carry some in my pockets, particularly when I'm training in the mountains. When I was training for Everest Challenge last year, I spent alot of time in the San Gabriel Mountains. There aren't a whole lot of options as far as refilling and on a hot day, I can blow through two bottles on the first climb and still be left with a 12 mile climb ahead of me before I can refill.

I started pre-hydrating on the drive there with 24 oz of water and two Motor Tabs. I can't tell you what a HUGE difference this made in my training out there. I also use them anytime that I don't feel a big need for calories, but need to hydrate instead. I don't go out to the mountains without them now and any longer ride, they are in my jersey pocket.

[sundial]

I second the Elete. I crave salt on a ride and this helps.

[ttaylor508]

I sweat big time on long rides and usually end up with a salt covered crust over everything. What works for me is Gleukos. It isn't sweet at all, just like light lemon flavored water and comes in a powder so you can add to your water when you feel you need it. I also use Endurolyte tabs.

Don't know about it being a female thing, I think it just depends on the person.
DH sweats, but doesn't get the salty crust. One of my other riding buddies sweats like I do and we compare salt markings at the end of our rides. He is an ironman with very very little body fat. Other riding buddy rarely sweats at all.

[Running Mommy]

Check out Infinit.com
I have a special extra salty formula, because I'm in the same boat. I love that I can customize my formula. And they guarantee it!

[OakLeaf]

I sweat like crazy, but I'm not convinced that it's only salt I need to replace. (And my body fat isn't THAT high. I sweat way more than a lot of people I know who have much higher body fat.)

I'm being lazy right now (other things on my mind) - anyone want to point me in the direction of research on sweat loss of electrolytes? I know for sure I sweat out lots of magnesium, for one thing. And it troubles me to replace sodium and not potassium. So I'm a fan of Emergen-C too. I just wish it didn't have so much ascorbic acid (which can leach calcium). I tried the knock-off brand with Ester-C, but the packaging just wasn't completely moisture tight, so they were mostly cakey lumps. Yuk.

[Running Mommy]

Oak, when I'm in heavy training periods I have to suppliment both mag and potasium. It's a pain to have to time all of it, but if I don't I have big problems. My doctor did some blood work once and it was scary.
I seem to remember her saying something about women leeching magnesium.

[TrekTheKaty]

I'm not sure of the salt content, but I use Cytomax. It's not overly sweet and good for energy on long rides.

[roadie gal]

Oak, when I'm in heavy training periods I have to suppliment both mag and potasium. It's a pain to have to time all of it, but if I don't I have big problems. My doctor did some blood work once and it was scary.
I seem to remember her saying something about women leeching magnesium.

2+ on Infinit. I'm a very heavy sweater so I have the electrolytes dialed up pretty high. Infinit's worked very well for me. The nice thing about it is that you can also adjust how strong the taste/sweetness is as well as the electrolyte content.