Originally Posted by
SBRDude
I'll have to look into those Hammer electrolyte pills - that would save a lot of storage space!
They are good ... a lot of long distance cyclists swear by them. When I ride on hot days, I find I get a bit nauseated ... I take an electrolyte pill, and it seems to settle my stomach very shortly after. They are much better than relying on a sports drink to provide you with electrolytes and they are light and hardly take up any room. You could get away with water in your bottles, a bit of food in your bags, and electrolyte tablets ... and not have to worry about bringing sports drinks at all.
Originally Posted by
drmweaver2
The malodextrose, HalfSalt and something else someone mentioned were what I was referring to. Not having blood pressure or diabetic problems, I've never looked at salt or sugar alternatives. Obviously, I am pretty comfortable with Gatorade and what it does for me - minus the exorbitant cost at convenience stores.
I don't have blood pressure or diabetic problems either. As I got into cycling more and more, I became curious about what might be available in my local grocery store to provide me with some variety from the usual energy bars. I also became curious about the nutritional content of foods. So I spent some time really looking at what was on the shelves of my local grocery store. I also listened with interest to what other cyclists use, and Rowan was the first one who brought the maltodextrin mix idea to my attention. I headed to my local wine making place to pick up maltodextrin, and to my grocery store to get the rest of the ingredients. If I use that, I tend to use a simplified version of the recipe he gave me.
Originally Posted by
drmweaver2
In any case, I am interested in what others do - carry/mix powder or spend money on bottled drinks?
No, I don't believe I have ever carried a drink powder on a tour. I use a lot of plain water, and pick up the occasional bottled drink (orange juice, coke, orangina, etc.) from grocery stores along the way.
And for electrolytes on longer tours, I bring a small bottle of multi-vitamins complete with minerals which I replenish at a grocery store along the way if the tour is particularly long. I bring a small bottle of electrolyte pills to use on hot days. And I eat foods which I know are high in the main electrolytes.
One other thing about carrying a drink powder ... most of my tours are in a country other than my own and involve a flight and customs/immigration etc. There are rules and restrictions regarding bringing foods into other countries, and I prefer flying in as simply as possible, and then picking up what I need when I arrive ... rather than having to worry about declaring my food etc.. Also, with the tightening of the weight restrictions on baggage, 2 lbs can make or break whether I pay $50 for the bicycle or $175 for overweight luggage. I prefer to travel as light as possible ... and then look for what I need in terms of nutrition once I arrive.
If you opt to tour from home, you may pack differently than those of us who travel some distance to start our tours.