timmyquest

Pee clear and pee often...pee clear, and prosper? Right, whatever. I drink a lot of water, more so when its cycling season, more still when i know i'm going to be riding. When i do ride i try to drink a lot of water. Usually i use a swig from the water bottle as an excuse to stop peddling for a moment. Unless it's abusrdly hot i typically just bring water as i can't stand the phlegm that builds from the various "sports drinks"

Inevitably though, upon my return, my piss looks like something from a minwax catalog. Is this to be expected or should i start bringing something other then water on my rides?

'nother

Urine color is not a reliable indicator of (de)hydration. You may be peeing clear and still be dehydrated; alternatively you could be peeing with some coloration and be perfectly fine.

mezza

Sometimes after a ride I pee sand.

timmyquest

I wish i could do that, i've got lots of metal that could be blasted

jmarkley710

The thing that's concerning is that if you are consistently peeing a dark yellow color then you aren't drinking enough water. The actual color after exercise doesn't matter. Nor when you wake up after a night's sleep. The coloration comes from Urea which is waste from your kidney's.

https://coaching.usolympicteam.com/co...nsf/v/8Dec0303

"Athletes should ingest fluids at a level that maintains good fluid status without over or under-hydrating. The simple field test to have the athlete monitor is urine color. A urine color that looks like pale lemonade is probably an indication of adequate fluid intake."

"Dark urine, like apple juice, is associated with inadequate fluid intake. Clear urine may indicate an athlete is taking too much fluid."

azwhelan

Go for a 1hour typical ride under typical conditions without taking in any fluids. Weight yourself before and after and you will have a good idea of how much fluids you should be taking in during your rides.

timmyquest

So the concenses is that i'm making something out of nothing?

'nother

I wouldn't say that. I'm just saying I wouldn't rely on urine color as a measure. There are many things that can change urine color that don't have anything to do with hydration (for example, a big dose of vitamins, especially B vitamins...certain vegetables and other foods, too).

Do you experience other symptoms of dehydration? dizziness, headache, nausea, dry mouth/nose, etc.?

MrCjolsen

If I wanted clear urine, I'd just get sh--faced before every ride.

timmyquest

Different things going on there

Nachoman

Vitamins will change the color of your pee.

cedricbosch

+1

John Wilke

I assume that the color of your urine has changed from your normal 'non-riding' color?
How hot is it where you live, how long do you ride, how much do you drink?

Lots of questions I know. Fun reading: https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/urine-color/AN00868

jw

superslomo

+1 to weighing yourself before and after to get a sense of how well you are hydrating. If you're under the starting weight, drink enough fluids to get back to level.