Electrolyte replacement?

[SadieKate]

Thanks for the reminder. We carry Endurolytes for when we need a big infusion.

[OakLeaf]

Besides no laxative antifreeze, Zenergize also contains no laxative sugar alcohols. It does have magnesium carbonate, and "natural flavors" which is always a little bit worrying.

[soprano]

My second bottle of water gets electrolytes. I have a 1 liter water bottle. When I refill it, I pop in a Nunn tablet. Easy to do, easy to remember. Bananas also work great and are easy on the tummy.

I've read here and elsewhere that the rough-and-ready way to tell that you're low on electrolytes is to taste your sweat. If it doesn't taste salty, you're low.

It was 109 during my commute home yesterday. It felt like riding through an oven. I got stuck behind a city bus at a stoplight and decided to wait about 25 feet back because the heat coming of the back was so incredible.

[velo]

Well, I think at this point I'll not worry too much about it, but begin to check into what's available locally. I also want to talk to my doc about it. Today, I rode early and it stayed in the 60's and 70's so I don't think I was sweating much. At about 26 miles, I started getting a little cramp in my right hamstring, but realized I just wasn't drinking enough. I consciously drank more over the next 5 minutes and it went away. No electrolytes needed, just more water. By the time I finished up, a tad over 30, I was fine. Hot weather is on the way, though.

[Jiffer]

From what I understand up to an hour of moderate riding with relatively no heat is fine with just water. Over an hour, or less than an hour at higher intensity and/or heat, you should have electrolytes.

I was just researching this yesterday as I am just getting back into rides that are requiring more than just water. I really need to avoid sugar, so researched what my options were. I knew coconut water had electrolytes, but thought I'd need something more. Apparently not. However, if I need "energy" because my rides are particularly long or intense, then I need to figure out what non-sugar options I have for that. I've read pistachios are a perfect fuel for cyclists, but I have an intolerance to them. Figures. I used to use regular sports drinks, Cytomax Lite and when they quit making it, EFS, but I'm trying to go natural now.

[chatnoire]

I haven't tried it yet, but a couple of our Olympic riders that are local are supported by Scratch labs for energy + electrolytes. I picked up two samples at our city's Bike from Work bash on Wednesday. They claim to avoid the stomach upset, and my personal interest was piqued by its clear color. I hate when the drinks stain my bottles yellow.

Anyway, they taste good, might be worth looking up.

[OakLeaf]

Oh, I love the ingredients list for Skratch! Everything (almost) I like about my Zenergize, none of what I don't. How well does it dissolve? And, since they don't sell it in single serving containers (which is fine), will it keep ok in a ziploc, or does it cake?

[e3rdpower]

I believe Skratch is fairly sensitive to humidity, they do sell a canister for it. Should be ok in a ziploc for a ride i would think.

[tangentgirl]

+another on Nuun.

Anyone use salt tablets? Anyone know where to find salt tablets? I've been running a lot lately, did my first half marathon, and everyone was all about the salt. They literally had packets of salt at one of the aid stations. I avoided it because, nothing new on race day, but people who took it swore it helped a lot.

That all reminded me that years (like 20+) ago, Trader Joe's used to sell salt tablets in the vitamin section. They don't anymore, and I haven't seen them anywhere else, but I remember that, working outside on hot days, they were lifesavers. But not Lifesavers, cause those are candy.

Anyhoo, that's my answer. And my question.

[tzvia]

I use GU in the second water bottle on long rides or hot days. In the winter, I just take Clif Shot Bloks and water unless the ride is really long, and then the second bottle gets electrolite. If I am riding back to the car, I leave a protein bar there as a pick-me-up for after the ride, but I will take one, and a banana, on long rides with me if I know I am going to take a mid ride break.

Cytomax now uses stevia for a sweetener and I guess some people can't stomach it. I already use stevia in my morning brew instead of sugar and it does not bother me. So I bought a big can of Cytomax on sale to try after the GU is finished, I hope it tastes ok.

I used to poo poo the electrolyte 'nonsense' and just drink water, but a bad stomach cramp on a hot ride brought me around to try some in the second bottle. Have not had a cramp on a ride since, and maybe it's all in my head, but adding the electrolytes to my rides makes me feel fresher longer. It really helps curb the bonk and the deep thirst.

[pll]

I haven't tried it yet, but a couple of our Olympic riders that are local are supported by Scratch labs for energy + electrolytes. I picked up two samples at our city's Bike from Work bash on Wednesday. They claim to avoid the stomach upset, and my personal interest was piqued by its clear color. I hate when the drinks stain my bottles yellow.

Anyway, they taste good, might be worth looking up.

I tried the Skratch Labs exercise hydration mix (ordered the assorted pack of 20 'sticks' to try all the flavors) and I liked the lemons & limes the best: almost clear, very light flavor. I cannot tell if it works better than Nuun, but if the flavor is tolerable, it should be more effective, as I would drink more. I am tempted to buy a big bag, but it is expensive! It looks like the bag cannot be re-sealed, hence the need for a canister.