electrolytes, whats your preference?

[soprano]

I have never liked sports drinks--I don't want the sugar, and I don't use any artificial sweeteners, so NUUN is out as well.

Put 1/8 tsp lite salt in 1 liter water. Sounds yucky, but if you can taste the salt, you aren't low on electrolytes.

Bananas are my favorite.

[OakLeaf]

But you sweat out sodium MUCH quicker than potassium.

[maryellen]

Another fan of Ultima Replenisher though I like the lemonade flavor

[Chile Pepper]

I tried the homemade electrolyte drink on my rides this weekend. Following Oakleaf's advice, I upped the salt a little and didn't worry about the potassium, so I wound up using the juice of one lemon (two to three tablespoons) and about 1/16th teaspoon salt in my large water bottle. I added about half a tablespoon of honey, which balanced out the flavors and gave a good mouthfeel.

I really liked it! It tasted great, it was practically free (the lemon was from my tree), and it contained no artificial ingredients. Most importantly, I drank it, so my hydration was better than with plain water. I will definitely be using this for my longer rides.

[goldfinch]

So, do you really need anything other than sodium salt? Currently I only take water and a form of sugar and salted walnuts. I throw a bit extra salt on the walnuts. I hate fruity flavored drinks. Are there any electrolyte tablets that have no flavor?

[OakLeaf]

So, do you really need anything other than sodium salt? Currently I only take water and a form of sugar and salted walnuts. I throw a bit extra salt on the walnuts. I hate fruity flavored drinks. Are there any electrolyte tablets that have no flavor?

I need magnesium and probably calcium. YMMV, but a friend of mine carries a whole baggie of Endurolytes capsules and hands them out to anyone who's getting cramps.

I've never heard of unflavored fizzy tablets, but Endurolytes comes in powder form if you'd rather mix something into your water than take a pill. It's a noticeable flavor, and I think the added flavors and sweeteners are mainly to cover the bitter/metallic flavor of the electrolytes.

S-Caps are another popular pill alternative, but I've never tried them.

Obviously we're talking about longer and/or warmer weather efforts here - assuming reasonably good overall nutrition, I don't think it's a worry for anyone until you've replaced a couple of liters or so of water.

[TsPoet]

Obviously we're talking about longer and/or warmer weather efforts here - assuming reasonably good overall nutrition, I don't think it's a worry for anyone until you've replaced a couple of liters or so of water.

That's a very good point. In fact, I've wondered several times reading answers how long/hot/fast rides are people talking about, I don't use anything for rides less than about 20 miles unless it's >90 degrees out.