I carry a supply of them, and take a single hourly, unless the ride is really hard, then I up it to 2 every hour. I also have a bottle of cytomax, and for long rides I carry and extra baggie of the powder so I can mix another bottle if necessary. Might be, and probably is, overkill, but I got sick and tired of being unable to eat solid foods no matter how short the ride, and feeling lethargic, crampy, and generally miserable.