I started using electrolyte mixes (gatorade, MioFIT, some powder packets from the local health foods place, etc) in my water bottles on rides as I was having problems with cramps. That seems to have made a night and day difference in my rides.

Is there anything that can help out with calories/energy that I can mix in there too? I asked a fitness trainer that I work with today about the protein mixes and he said not to do that but wasn't sure of anything that was a "food replacement" type mix.

I guess what I am after is instead of eating snack bars on my rides is there anything I can combine with my water to make any sort of shake that will do everything - food, electrolytes, and hydration? If I am drinking all the time already I suppose I don't see why it wouldn't make sense to try and combine the intake.

I do eat a lot of oats for breakfast with protein - heaping 1/2 cup of oats, 2 scoops of protein mix, 1-1/4 cup of milk, and some raisens and craisens sprinkled in. If I could run that in a blender maybe that would be an option? Or, have one bottle electrolytes (and more backup on the rack) and one oat shake? Though I am not sure how to keep it "fresh" over the course of a day.

Just trying to come up with ideas.