Southern California - drinking while riding

Okay, we have the thread on gels and food, but what about your sport drinks or fluids? Gatorade vs. Cytomax? Sure, would love to hear. But what I really want to know is if any of you have a secret mix that really works in terms of sustained energy and overall performance (whether real or perceived). I heard someone say once that they mixed Ovaltine with some energy drink for sustained energy as well as Tang with protein powder. And there is something out there called Hammerhead? (or am I mixing two brands?) And would it hurt if I've run out of Cytomax to try a scoop of whatever they offer at rest stops (whenever they even do as some ride organizers do not)? Or is that too risky if I've never tried the brand before?

Personally, I currently use Cytomax, but it's a messy powder that I have to put in baggies to carry. It usually ends up at the bottom of my bento box. As much as I tout EGel, I hate EFuel. It's a sticky liquid that mixes with water well but is extremely messy and bulky to carry in the long tube-pack it comes in.

One trick I was told that I do follow is that on double centuries drink a V8 in the morning before starting (at least an hour before) and somewhere along the route, if you can swing by a store and snag one, do that as well - excellent for sodium and potassium and is very easily digested.

Any other pearls of wisdom?:D

hammer heed is good! not too sweet, not too heavy...works for me...i also like sustained energy mixed with espresso hammer gel! it tastes like yoohoo!!!

V8... hmmm... never thought of that... I'll try it!

I mostly do water, or one bottle of gatorade and one of water, partly on the advice of my dentist. If you drink only a sport drink your mouth turns into a nice environment for the bacteria that like to attack your teeth, particularly as you dehydrate during the ride. He encourages chasing the sport drinks with water to rinse your mouth.

I prefer gatorade over cytomax because it's got more salt, and I had a bad hyponatremia experience during the mojave death race. I had enough water, but not enough salt, and it wasn't being absorbed very well.

Capsules and water?

hammer heed is good! not too sweet, not too heavy...works for me...i also like sustained energy mixed with espresso hammer gel! it tastes like yoohoo!!!


+1 on HEED. I really like that stuff, having tried cytomax and others. As you said, it's much lighter. Both the Orange and Lime flavors work well for me. I carry powder in a baggie for refills on longer rides.

I mix raspberry Hammer Gel with my SE for taste.

Sheldon