I have done a couple of 1/2 ironman distance tris, and I'm preparing for my first full iron in November.

My drink of choice is Hammer's Perpetuem. I use a Neverreach system, which consists of a hard plastic container which sits behind my saddle and a tube which extends up between the handlebars, from which I drink. It holds 2 liters. I don't drink enough with any other system.

For a 1/2 iron, I drink one full container of Perpetuem, and one water bottle. On the run, I use 3 double strenth fuel belt bottles of Perpetuem.

The obvious answer is to have a jug (about 1/2 gallon) of Perpetuem for refilling the bike container in special needs, and 3 more fuel belt bottles mixed for the run.

Here is the problem: I'm concerned about the heat and length of time my mixtures will be sitting, waiting for me to get there. Perpetuem will precipitate out fairly quickly, which is always a concern with my bike system, but I'm afraid it will also go bad, leaving me without my fuel.

I've considered having the powder and water ready for mixing as I get there. I'm not sure how much I can store in special needs, or how complicated that will get.

I'm sure I'm not the first person to face this. How have others solved the problem? Store a cooler or refrigerator in transition? (Just kidding)

It will be warm but I don't think you will have a problem with it going bad in one day. I just had mine refregerated overnight and dropped them off in the morning and they were fine. You could fill them with ice or freeze half the fuel belt bottles. Top off in the morning and they will stay cooler longer.

I use Perpetuem too and that stuff tastes downright NASTY when its warm - gets sort of a skunky taste ... YUCK!!!!

One option is to keep an extra bottle at special needs - pick it up, dump a bottle of water in, and off you go with fresh Perpetuem! The special needs bags are PLENTY big enough to store some extra Perpetuem. I've never stopped for bike special needs but I'm sure you can get in and out of there in a minute or two ... which is WELL worth it if it means that you have nutrition you can actually stomach!!!