[BigPoser]

As I get better riding, my rides get longer, I'm quickly finding out that water isn't cutting it. What is a good fluid replacement that I can get into my bottles? I used to use Motor Tabs back in the day, but can't find them anywhere.

What is everyone else using?

Thanks in advance.

Brandon

 

[MerlinAma]

Check out Skratch Labs and Osmo Nutrition.
There are good arguments for their products.
Hydration/electrolytes in the bottle, fuel in the pocket.
I've had great success with that the past year.

 

[Mike T.]

Make your own for pennies per bottle with product from the bulk food store -
Glucose powder.
Fructose powder.
Plus -
Salt.
Potassium (in NoSalt)
Flavoring (I use 1" of grapefruit juice in each bottle)

Get the whole story & recipe in downloadable e-articles from RoadBikeRider.com

Eating & Drinking Like the Pros | Road Bike Rider

 

[waldo425]

Ive had really good luck with Scratch Labs. It is really easy on my stomach and a good natural source of sugars and electrolytes. I've been able to drink it up until the very start of very hard races.

 

[looigi]

I use 100 cal of fruit juice in a 24 oz bottle, fill it with water, and add salt or potassium as required to get it up to ~200 mg Na and 60mg K...

Or, just put in 16 oz of Gatorade or Powerade and fill bottle with water.

If you want some flavor and electrolytes without carbs, NUUN or Camelbak Elixir tablets are good.

 

[spade2you]

Even on the really hot days, I tend to just drink 1:1 Gatorade diluted with water with food on rides, gel at races.

 

[skinewmexico]

I will use Skratch on occasion, but I'll usually just take an S-Cap and drink water.

 

[gte105u]

I like NUUN tabs. Taste good but mild. Good electrolytes without calories. If I need fuel I make my own with Agave Nectar, Brown Rice Syrup, water and instant coffee.

 

[Kerry Irons]

As I get better riding, my rides get longer, I'm quickly finding out that water isn't cutting it. What is a good fluid replacement that I can get into my bottles? I used to use Motor Tabs back in the day, but can't find them anywhere.

What is everyone else using?

Many years ago I quit putting anything but water in my bottles. That way the water is available for pouring over my head when it's really hot, washing my hands after fixing a flat, or rinsing the dirt out of road rash (fortunately this is very infrequent). Your hydration requirements vary widely with temperature and humidity but your calorie requirements are only a function of pace and distance. It is best to separate the two.

I put my salt in my food - as Mike T. explained a mix of table salt and "lite" salt gives a good blend of sodium and potassium. Depending on the kind of day I am looking at I can vary the amount of salt I mix with the food. I have never been on a ride where I needed electrolytes but didn't need food.

 

[Donn12]

Nuun tablets are my choice. I have a bunch of flavors and its very easy to carry a days long supply. I use these instead of the crappy gatorade mixes on the century rides I do. I dont like gu or gels so I also eat shot blocks. Both are great products and you can get both of them on amazon.

 

[jcgill]

Skratch labs pineapple is what i prefer on the hot muggy summer rides in the midwest.

 

[Newnan3]

I use cytomax just because if you buy the 4lb tub its cheaper than gatorade. I use 1 but most often two scoops per bottle. Rarely 3 scoops per 24 oz.

 

[Alaska Mike]

Experiment, because there are a lot of mixes out there. The one that hydrates you best is usually the one you end up craving, and therefore drink a lot of. I've tried a lot of mixes that I had to force myself to drink, because on the bike they just didn't ring my bell. For some reason my cravings and tastes change when I'm on the bike.

I usually go for a very mild flavor, and Skratch Labs orange does it for me. Gatorade irritates my throat, which kinda ruins it for me. Off the bike, I can drink it by the gallon.

 

[BigPoser]

Thank you for all the replies everyone. Sounds like there are a ton of different products out there. I'll have to start testing out which I like the best. I believe there are quite a few at my LBS so I'll start there. Planning on slowly increasing my distances and I'm excited on my testing plans. Thanks again everyone.

Brandon

 

[locustfist]

+1 for Skratch

Hydration in the bottle/calories in the pocket

 

[Alfonsina]

You can make your own for so little money, titrate your own calories and electrolytes, or use a preferred ingredients list to work from. Add caffeine or not etc. Use the sugar/carb/not you prefer. There seems to be no magic or expensive ingredient in skratch, for example. It doesn't need to be complicated.

 

[scottma]

Everyone is different. Drinks with sugars in them dont sit sell with me. I lprefer Hydration only. I like Skratch Labs (Raspberry). Sometimes I'll use NUUN (grape).

 

[Hetfield]

I would recomend High5 Isotonic or Energy Source. Mixes well, tastes good (I know it's a personal matter though) and not expensive. You also have the sachet option wich is nice to carry in your pocket and refil your bottle.

Not sure if their products are available in the USA, but here in Europe they are well represented.

 

[guamdude]

I recently tried a product called Tailwind Endurance Fuel. Mix it in with your water and that's all you need. I don't carry any bars, gu, or gels any more. It says all natural organic ingredients. They even have an event trial. If you aren't satisfied with the product, they will pay for your race entry fee. I've used it up to a 50 miler. Very satisfied with the results. I stayed hydrated, never got hungry, and didn't bonk out after the rides.

 

[jspharmd]

Even on the really hot days, I tend to just drink 1:1 Gatorade diluted with water with food on rides, gel at races.

^^^This