Cytomax vs. Plain ol' water

[tongue_tied]

I'm going on a longish ride Friday - around 60-70 miles, 85ish degrees. I'm bringing a 70 oz. Camelbak and another 24 oz. bottle. Should I fill the Camelbak with Cytomax and leave the plain water in the 24 oz. bottle or the other way around? There will be areas to stop and fill up along the way. Thanks in advance I'm super excited - this will be my longest ride to date.

[Aquila]

One consideration would be whether you can easily clean your camelback? I've heard of some people having trouble getting them clean enough after hydration solutions have been in there. (I don't know if cytomax was one of the things that caused problems, though.)

I'd probably take the cytomax in the bottle, and also some real food to eat along the way. But that's the way I roll

Good luck on your ride!

[Biciclista]

I'd put the cytomax in the bottle. cleaning out that camelback is a big pain.

[Eden]

From what I understand it is super hard to clean a camel back and cytomax is not only sticky it will grow mold if left in the bladder. I'd go with the cytomax in the bottle and take some extra cytomax powder. You can refill your bottle either at the water stops or from your camel back when you need to.

[Biciclista]

i have been using NUUN just that way. it's not as messy as cytomax, i can take several doses with me safely and just drop a tablet into a bottle of water when i need it.

[tongue_tied]

Hmmm, I also have ZYM... maybe I'll take that instead.

[Eden]

I use NUUN and I love it - but be aware it is *not* the same as Cytomax. Cytomax has electrolyte and calories and NUUN is just electrolytes. I generally carry one bottle of each.

[bluebug32]

I put electroytes in the form of Elete (sp?) into my Camelbak. It's taste free and doesn't leave any sort of residue. Then I know I'm always covered in the hot weather.

[Biciclista]

I called NUUN yesterday (they're in Seattle!) and asked them why NUUN doesn't have enough calcium to replenish what we use while riding (and sweating)
I forwarded them the article in the NYTIMES about that.
It's nice to deal with local companies!
(the guy couldn't answer the questions I had but hopefully I'll hear back)

[Becky]

Do you have a link to the article? DH and I were just discussing this topic last week....

[Zen]

The link and a transcript are in this thread

Mimi, I'd have to go back and read the article again.
It may also have something to do with sweating and blood volume.
How about taking along a roll of Tums for the calcium?

[OakLeaf]

Ha! Ask them about magnesium too.

[TrekTheKaty]

Tongue tied, you're probably already gone. But I did this last weekend--cytomax in camelbak (rinsed out as soon as I got home and hung to dry--no residual taste the next day when it was filled with only water) and ice water in the insulated bottle. At stops, I poured the water bottle into the camelbak and refilled the bottle. Bottle was also great for squirting water in my helmet and on my face (also good for cleaning out road rash!)

Hope you had a great ride!