Is water alone sufficient for hydration on rides?

[Gravity Aided]

I would think that salts and calcium would work to regulate acidity quite well on their own. I'd guess we are talking sorbic acids here. Or benzoic.

 

[SuperHans123]

But the digestion of the sausage sandwich diverts bodily resources from riding, so they say. (although if you look at my figure, I surely have enough resources to go around. ) I usually drink Gatorade cut 50/50 with water in hot weather, just plain water otherwise. I might also add that rides in these parts usually have great food, but at the end of the ride.

Who's ' they'?

 

[jefmcg]

I would think that salts and calcium would work to regulate acidity quite well on their own. I'd guess we are talking sorbic acids here. Or benzoic.

Well, I calcium acts as a base, as do many (all?) salts.

The ingredient list on zero is odd. There biggest single ingredient is just there to regulate that actual ingredients.

Acidity User (Citric Acid, Malic Acid), Sodium Bicarbonate, Sweeteners (Sorbitols, Sucralose), Magnesium Carbonate, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Natural Colour (Beetroot Red, Riboflavins), Natural Flavouring, L-Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Green Tea Extract.

I'll stick whatever takes my fancy. Currently French lemon syrup (just about the only product on the supermarket squash shelves not containing artificial sweeteners)

 

[Gravity Aided]

Who's ' they'?

http://www.ilovebicycling.com/cycle-faster-10-things-that-slow-you-down/
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/how-to-fuel-for-long-distance-rides-172496
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/article/izn20140305-Sportive-Nutritional-Timeline-0
Most of these sources recommend light eating on rides, to keep your caloric levels taken care of. Fatty foods, like sausage sandwiches, taste great, but should be saved for later.

 

[smutchin]

Most of these sources recommend light eating on rides, to keep your caloric levels taken care of. Fatty foods, like sausage sandwiches, taste great, but should be saved for later.

A lot of that will depend on the intensity and duration of your ride. For a proper long ride, eg audax, it's good to have real food at normal mealtimes. Nothing wrong with a sausage sandwich in that context.

Even the pros will eat something more substantial than gels in a long race.

 

[Alan O]

When I was younger all I needed was water (actually, quite often, on a Saturday or Sunday ride it was just beer at the halfway pub stop), but now I definitely need some kind of electrolyte. A recent short ride when I had no drink with me didn't turn out well after my derailleur hanger snapped when I was about 5 miles from home. No great tragedy, and fairly easy walking/pushing distance, but a couple of hours after getting home and drinking just water I suffered very painful cramps in both my hamstrings simultaneously.

That's the worst I've had, but if I don't get salt down me while I'm out for any length of time, I do have a tendency for cramps. What does the trick for me is water with sugar (6 tsps per litre) and salt (1/2 tsp per litre), and sometimes a little lemon juice for flavour - it works fine, it's thirst-quenching, and it's very cheap.

And as for food on rides, I've always just eaten anything I fancy (be it Kendal Mint Cake or sausage sarnies, or whatever), as long as I eat little and often.

Alan

 

[mjr]

http://www.ilovebicycling.com/cycle-faster-10-things-that-slow-you-down/
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/how-to-fuel-for-long-distance-rides-172496
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/article/izn20140305-Sportive-Nutritional-Timeline-0
Most of these sources recommend light eating on rides, to keep your caloric levels taken care of. Fatty foods, like sausage sandwiches, taste great, but should be saved for later.

Of those, only Cycling Weekly cites an actual source and that's "Matt Hart of Torq Fitness" and I suggest that he has a conflict of interest!

 

[SuperHans123]

http://www.ilovebicycling.com/cycle-faster-10-things-that-slow-you-down/
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/how-to-fuel-for-long-distance-rides-172496
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/article/izn20140305-Sportive-Nutritional-Timeline-0
Most of these sources recommend light eating on rides, to keep your caloric levels taken care of. Fatty foods, like sausage sandwiches, taste great, but should be saved for later.

What a load of cack.
Eat what you know what works for you.
They are guessing at best.
Too many people believing in magazines and unsubstantiated research as opposed to listening to their own bodies.
Some of the people in this picture look they have only eaten gels for the last 10 years!
Look at the state of that 'man' in blue; he has no ass, just a back and legs.
Probably dumps through a tube in his back.