when is electorlyte replacement needed

[aicabsolut]

As for specific products, my team is sponsored by Clif, so I tend to go with their stuff. I probably should use the extra sodium things now and then, but I don't really like the taste. Instead, if I know it's going to be a hot and brutal day, I will snack on Jelly Belly sport beans before the ride or during a stop. They are kind of a pain to eat on the go, but they do seem to have more sodium per serving than a lot of gels and chews. I'm not worried about the calories, so I generally don't buy nuun tablets or other low calorie or calorie free electrolyte things, but I will often use smart water in my plain water bottle. It doesn't have sodium, but I think the other electrolytes (calcium, potassium, magnesium) are beneficial. It's a good option for me when I leave the house and I'm not sure if I'll be refilling with any electrolyte drinks during the ride. I don't like Gatorade or other stuff that you typically find at gas station stops.

For a lower calorie drink, I like the new Clif pre-bottled electrolyte stuff. I usually have those pre-event or as part of my recovery.

[ny biker]

For a lower calorie drink, I like the new Clif pre-bottled electrolyte stuff. I usually have those pre-event or as part of my recovery.

I tried the new Clif drink (Quench) but didn't like the taste. But then, I do like Gatorade (orange or lemon-lime).

I usually stick with Gatorade and Gu gels during a ride. This summer I started using Gu Roctane, which has more electrolytes than regular Gu. It also costs more, so I've been alternating Roctane with the regular Gu. I've been feeling a lot better during rides this summer and I'm not retaining so much water like I used to, so I think the Roctane is making a difference.

I generally stick with water for rides of 90 minutes or less, and alternate between bottles of water and Gatorade for longer rides. For Gu, 1 pack per 10 miles usually works for me, although I always carry 1-2 extra just in case.

BWT as I've mentioned elsewhere, I really like Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guide Book, which addresses sodium and other electrolyte needs among its many topics.

[aicabsolut]

What flavors did you try? So far, I really only like Limeade. Strawberry citrus is sort of tolerable but sweet. Fruit punch is too authentic tasting.

[ny biker]

For the Quench, I tried Orange. It didn't have enough of the orange flavor to hide the sodium and whatever else was in there.

[OakLeaf]

IMO if the salty flavor doesn't taste good, it's your body telling you you don't need it.

Sweat rate and sweat composition are very individual - and they change for any individual person with heat/cold acclimation. I'm still trying to sort it out for myself after years of struggling.

But I think in general, on a ride that's short or easy enough that you don't have to replace calories, and cool enough that you drink two bottles of water or less, you can deal with your electrolyte replacement in your regular diet.

It's still a good idea to carry a gel or two, or a packet of your favorite powder, just in case you get caught out and have to ride longer than you'd planned.

[witeowl]

IMO if the salty flavor doesn't taste good, it's your body telling you you don't need it.

I've heard you (or someone else) say this before, and I initially liked the thought, but have come to disagree. I happen to like salty food; I salt nearly everything. Because of this, I likely don't need the salt, but drink electrolyte drinks for everything else in them. I'm so used to salt, though, so electrolyte drinks never taste salty to me.

I imagine that the opposite is also true. If someone regularly eats low quantities of salt, they may dislike the salt in an electrolyte drink. This does not mean that they don't need the electrolytes.

[abejita]

I always like the taste of my water with elete in it better than plain water when I am hot and sweaty. Hubs hated water with elete when he first tasted it, but now that he has started using it while riding, he loves it.

[SadieKate]

I imagine that the opposite is also true. If someone regularly eats low quantities of salt, they may dislike the salt in an electrolyte drink. This does not mean that they don't need the electrolytes.

Totally agree. I use very little salt so a lot of things taste too salty to me.

A little Crystal Lemonade Crystal Light fixes the taste of a lot of eletrolyte drinks. I love tart flavors, especially when I'm hot.