I constantly look like a salt lick after a ride. I eat a balanced low-sodium diet on a regular basis. The only think I have learned from working towards longer rides is when it is hot I drink plain water, use my Gu gels about every 30-45 minutes, and recently added pickle juice at about mile 30 or so. I know sounds gross, but a fellow that used to work at my LBS suggested I try it since normally eat a low sodium diet. Since then I learned several people not only eat a pickle spear or two at the later rest stops they swear to keep up the Gu and plain water but they will drink a glass of pickle juice or two as the miles add up. Luckily I love pickles and their juice. I asked my doctor about do that on hotter days and she says there is a good combination of things in the juice and that is wasn't a bad idea.

I don't think how you look after a ride matters, it is how you are feeling while you ride. I know for me the pickle juice at mile 30 of my 60 mile training ride did help me later in the ride. I would usually start to cramp up and feel funny. With the pickles and juice added I didn't. As someone else said you can take it with a grain of ........