reich17

that the fine grit that was on my face was crystallized salt from sweating? I noticed it after a "sweaty" 40 mile ride. It reminded me of the very fine play sand in my son and daughters sand box. Maybe it was road grit or something else? It was very light in color and I have never noticed it before.

DeanC

Could be. Could also be dirt or dust. If you're in the SE US there's supposedly some giant dust cloud for the Sahara blowing in.

I rode through a couple swarms of gnats this weekend on a particularly sweaty ride. Came out the other side looking like I'd been dipped in chocolate sprinkles.

fuzzthebee

I'd say the chances are pretty good. Did you do a taste test? Haven't you ever noticed salt stains on any of your darker clothing? I get them all the time.

supcom

Unless you've been riding through a dust storm, it's salt.

7stitches

I just read an article in Outside magazine stating that some people sweat out more salt than others. This seems to be the case with you. They suggested drinking a sports drink (like Gator Aid) to replenish the body rather than just water. Our bodies run on a sodium driven system.

LordOpie

I read somewhere that the average athlete sweats out as much salt during a two-hour ride as the average person needs in an entire day to maintain healthy function.

People look at me wierd when I dump salt on sandwiches or whatever. But you can always just get electrolyte tablets or whatever.

And yeah, taste test will tell you all. I should lick my girlfriend's face after a ride Ya know, just to replace my missing salts. It's all very practical.

reich17

So, let's say you are out riding with your girlfriend and Snowy. After a couple of hours Snowy appears dehydrated. Do you let her lick your girlfriends face when she's out of Gatorade?

Back to the original post, I don't know how I compare to others but I go through 2 large water bottles in 35-40 miles (moderate effort cycling). During the ride I mentioned above I drank plain water.

LordOpie

Is this one of those bad southern jokes...

I'd like you to meet my sister and wife. And there's only one woman standing there.

Sounds like you're flushing the salts out that you consume as part of your normal diet if you're only drinking water. I drink about the same amount as you, fyi, fwiw.

will dehne

Supcom:
You have given me good advise on other questions.
On this issue of salt loss please let me know: I did 100 miles/day in 100 degree and high humidity. I consumed 9 liters of water, ice tea and two sandwiches (Subway).
Did I deprive my system of salt? The last leg of the 100 miles seemed much harder and I had to slow down 10%.

I have done this same trip before, many times, in cooler weather without that problem.
In other words: Is it salt or just overheating?

recursive

I get this all the time. It is definitely salt, and I can sometimes collect significant amounts of it from my face.

It's tasty. (I kid!)

reich17

It was the first time I ever noticed it and I thought it a bit weird. I wonder why it doesn't happen all the time?