doctor j

I carry two bottles, one with water and the other with Powerade that I mix from Powerade powder. The Powerade has sodium, postasium, magnesium, niacin, B12, B6, and sugar. I bought some 2" x 5" ziplock bags and put the powder in the bags for when it's time to recharge the bottle. I carry several bags on centuries, solo or organized. That way, I know what I'm getting, and it's the same stuff I'm accustomed to. Works well for me. YMMV.

Jed19

On my typical 65 mile ride, I carry a Cliff bar and a single tablet of High 5 electrolyte tablet. I buy the High 5 from any of the British supply houses, as the taste is more to my liking than Nunn and other similar products. On my return journey, I'll drop the tablet in 700ml of water, and I also prefer its taste with water at room temperature. A bonus is that High 5 tablets contain zero sugar.

Machka 

Water.

Machka 

If you're riding more than 2 hours, consume 200-300 calories per hour. Once you are fit, you may possibly be able to reduce the number of calories you need to consume.

If you are riding less than 2 hours, bring a granola bar ... but chances are you won't need to eat it.

MattoftheRocks

About a quart of homemade gatorade (morton lite, lemon, sugar) before heading out and plain water for the ride. If it's over 100 miles, I've got a pocket size bottle that I keep the g-ade mix in to be able to brew up a batch out on the road.

Facanh

Thanks everyone! Love this forum.

revchuck 

More important than what you drink is how much you drink. Aim for about a bottle per hour. Some folks (like me) need a bit more, others less. If you're going to be sweating a lot and riding more than a couple of hours, sports drinks have additional electrolytes and (usually) sugar that are helpful; buying them in powder form is much cheaper than in bottles. For shorter rides, or rides during which you'll be eating, plain water is fine.

MikeD1

Right on the head here, perfect. I want to save the calories for a post ride beer, not waste them . . .

Looigi

FWIW, you lose almost no potassium through sweat. Potassium and excess potassium is excreted via the kidneys and urine, not sweat. If you're getting enough outside of riding there is no need/benefit to supplement during riding. It's sodium that's lost in sweat and does need replacement if sweating a lot for longer durations. Current recommendations are 400-700 mg/hr. I put 8 oz of fruit juice and 1/8 level tsp of salt in a 24oz bottle and top off with water. IMO this is as good and no better than Gatorade, Powerade, or any of the other branded products.

Seattle Forrest

Moonshine.

Or just water. If you're worried about electrolytes (IT'S WHAT PLANTS WANT!) eat a snack that has salt in it.

Lazyass

Only water unless it's very hot. In that case it's good 'ol grape Powerade for the sodium and electrolytes. My grocery store will put them on sale for $5 for five 32oz bottles and I'll snatch them up. I went though the phase of using all kinds of different powdered sports drink stuff until I realized I was just wasting my money.

bmthom.gis

Anything approaching or over 40 miles (or let's round down to 60 km, if that tickles your fancy) I will eat. That's about 2/2.5 hours of riding. Anything less than that - if I do eat, it won't be something calorie packed. Maybe a PBnJ or something...but certainly not any gel packs. As for hydration - again on shorter rides, just water. Longer rides I will keep 1 bottle with water and another with something a little more tasty. I have been using these tablets made by camelback. I like those. Other options: Mio Energy, coffee, whisky....but mainly just water. Lately I have been adding a slice or two of lemon to my bottles. It's a nice change of taste. I don't like all that sports stuff that is expensive unless I am doing something truly grueling and need as many calories as I can get.

I got for a bottle of water/every 15 miles. It gets hot in South Carolina, even in the early hours

RogueRadio

Training/Weekday ride list:
- Less than 30 mi, One bottle of water. Nothing else
-Greater than 30mi, I will bring a granola/Clif bar and extra bottle of water, mixed with Gatorade at about 25-50% depending on how hot it is outside

Weekend group ride:
All my weekend rides are at least 38mi minimum, so I will bring a Clif bar, 2 gels (1 for me, 1 if someone needs it), and 2 bottles of water plus NuuN or Gu Electrolyte tabs to use as needed.

Basically: Buy Gatorade cases from Sam's Club/BJs/Costco/Local Friendly Truck Hi-Jacker for your weekday ride, use tabs for racing/weekends so you look more pro than you are

Leinster

Water.

I generally start out with 2 bottles of water, and on particularly long rides I'll pick up some lemonade/gatorade/Arnold Palmer (and pay convenience store prices, oh well) and mix it with water. Once had a big surplus of lemon sorbetto in the freezer, and would take a couple of scoops of that in an insulated bottle topped off with water on a hot day, was a delicious alternative.

I always bring a couple of mini Clif bars (I just checked, they're 100cal each) on a ride. I'll usually eat one around the 20-mile mark if it doesn't look like I'll be home any time soon, and play it by ear from there. Did 44 miles Monday on 2 water bottles and a mini-clif. I was tired after, but was still going strong to the end of the ride.

Yendor72

Water? Like out of the toilet?

jerrycan42

If your ride are long enough, you should try Daterade...

Topic: Daterade | Waterloo Cycling Club

GravelMN

Just plain water works on many rides. If it is hot and humid or the ride is long or particularly hard, a pinch of Morton Lite Salt (50% sodium chloride, 50% potassium chloride) added to the water replaces the two primary electrolytes lost to perspiration. Magnesium and calcium are also important electrolytes but do not fluctuate as quickly or easily as sodium and potassium. If you are looking for a drink with some simple carbs, lemonade or limeade made with sugar and with just a tiny pinch of the Morton Lite Salt added will fill the bill.

surgeonstone

Water for rides under 2 hours. Water in one bottle and another bottle with orange juice for longer rides. Nothing can beat it.