Cycling Drinks

Jetmans Dad wrote:

Generally find if I don't replace electrolytes I get cramp quite easily (possibly something to do with cutting way back on salt consumption since being diagnosed with hypertension). 

Ultima Replenisher works really well for me, as it is low in sodium, but also has good amounts of potassium, calcium and magnesium. It is pretty expensive though, especially in the back pocket sized sachets. 

Beyond that ... choose from bananas, home made flapjack, occasional cold press fruit/nut bars for convenience and/or peanut butter/jam butties in bite size pieces. Also, anything above 100km a few chunks of Kendal Mint Cake for emergencies (much nicer than any brand of gel ... although you can apparently get Kendal Mint Cake energy gels. Why would you do that to yourself?). 

Have you tried pickle juice?

https://www.healthline.com/health/pickle-juice-for-cramps

(though maybe not so good for a low-sodium diet)

Nigel Garrage wrote:

If you're cramping you're likely just trying a bit too hard - try backing off. I tend to get cramping in my feet arches which are really annoying, but it isn't caused by a lack of electrolytes. Also try stretching more.

I know my own body and I know what is going on with it, and how to deal with it. Is there any topic on here where you don't think you know more about it than everyone else?

Owd Big 'Ead wrote:

Guinness!

Newky Brown!

If needs must, water.

Works for me.

Newky Brown. That would be one that I miss...

A pork pie is often my recovery snack of choice after a long ride.

I take a scotch egg on my long rides. Which is fine, until your ride coincides with a heatwave and 32°+ for much of it. Went hungry on that one. 

Ohw it's hard not being to empty on the bike...i'd use cooked rice ..
Or dried currants/ fruit easy to take along.
Bars of protiën wil take your appitite later in the day and that can't be healthy..

I'm sure I read somewhere that a pork pie is the perfect combination of carbs, fat and protein. Probably in 'Growler* Monthly' or the Melton Mowbray Chamber of Commerce Annual Report.

(* Other definitions are available. Apparently.)

pockstone wrote:

I'm sure I read somewhere that a pork pie is the perfect combination of carbs, fat and protein. Probably in 'Growler* Monthly' or the Melton Mowbray Chamber of Commerce Annual Report.

(* Other definitions are available. Apparently.)

 

I too am partial to a pork pie on a longer ride.  The Coop do packs of 2 small ones, so they go easily into a jersey pocket and if you aren't really hungry, one is fine, but if you are starving, polish both off! I have a terrible sweet tooth when not on the bike, but riding makes me crave more of a balance.  

For drinks, on longer rides I take two 950 ml bottles, one with water, one with the SIS tablets you dissolve. Again, it's good to have a choice/mixture.

pockstone wrote:

I'm sure I read somewhere that a pork pie is the perfect combination of carbs, fat and protein.

On the packet?

Pork is one of the hardest foods for the body to digest so I'd avoid it completely before or during a ride (I learnt this the hard way in my youth). The pastry is unlikely to have much nutritional value. The same applies to sausage rolls.

Anything with high fat content will take much longer to digest than carbs so it's not ideal if you're likely to be riding hard but it's not so bad if it's all low intensity.

Drinfinity wrote:

I like a high protein drink. Try a SPAM smoothie. 

Eeeeww

I could maybe combine my recommended mid-ride snack (see above) into a delicious shake. Thanks for the culinary inspiration.

Was it Timothy Spall in a Mike Leigh movie who had 'Liver in Lager' featured on his restaurant menu? That could work, but the bubbles may not survive the liquidiser.

pockstone wrote:

I could maybe combine my recommended mid-ride snack (see above) into a delicious shake. Thanks for the culinary inspiration.

Was it Timothy Spall in a Mike Leigh movie who had 'Liver in Lager' featured on his restaurant menu? That could work, but the bubbles may not survive the liquidiser.

Stop it

I agree. You can read her article online. BUT, on very long rides you still need to replenish carbs and electrolytes ('simple salts' as she calls them) along with your fluid, pretty much constantly, especially on a hot day.

We have all suffered a 'bonk' and it is not pleasant. A specific sports drink helps you consume those carbs and electrolytes easily and conveniently, especially if it doesn't cost much (if any) more than junk food or sweets. That's why I don't buy ready mixed or big branded sports drinks.

I spend more on extra water at convenience stores if I can't find a tap than I do on sports drinks!

Pilot Pete wrote:

I agree. You can read her article online. BUT, on very long rides you still need to replenish carbs and electrolytes ('simple salts' as she calls them) along with your fluid, pretty much constantly, especially on a hot day.

On a hot day you can split your water bottle between drinking and pouring down your back, so you can reduce the amount you sweat, and therefore the amount of electrolytes to replace. Not if humidity is high though.

But not if your bottles have hi carb or electrolyte drinks.

A friend took a small spritzer/spray bottle on a summer cycling holiday in South of France. Genius idea it proved to be. I'm now looking for a spray head to screw onto my water bottle!

wycombewheeler wrote:

Pilot Pete wrote:

I agree. You can read her article online. BUT, on very long rides you still need to replenish carbs and electrolytes ('simple salts' as she calls them) along with your fluid, pretty much constantly, especially on a hot day.

On a hot day you can split your water bottle between drinking and pouring down your back, so you can reduce the amount you sweat, and therefore the amount of electrolytes to replace. Not if humidity is high though.

But not if your bottles have hi carb or electrolyte drinks.

Yep, that’s why I always have one energy/ electrolyte and one plain water.