Hydration during and after riding

[chrishodges]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering what people use for hydration during and after a ride.
Do people just stick to water or do people use any form of sports drink or supplements to help recovery.

I have seen a number of websites preaching about the benefits of sports drinks and post exercise recovery drinks.

Has anyone had any experiences or any advice about this?

Thanks
Chris

 

[Hacienda71]

After a long ride I love a pint of chocolate milk made with skimmed milk. Short rides in the summer I have squash or water, longer rides I may take an energy drink instead of gels, keeps you hydrated and gives you a hit of carbs and appropriate salts in one go.

 

[mr Mag00]

if a very heavy training session i may use a carb/protein drink. if a general session a homemade choc milkshake with oat and banana

 

[Garz]

Fitness water or electrolyte type sports drink for a long ride (2-3 hours) and only a protein drink after if I am doing another session the next day or not trying to lose weight.

 

[pepecat]

Longest ride i've done was 30 miles, and i only took water. Made sure i had plenty of jellybabies to eat en route though!
After that, I had a sports shake ('for goodness shakes'), and then plenty of water. I usually make sure i drink about a pint of squash when i get in from rides (however short they are) or have several cups of tea!

 

[Timmo]

I've seen somewhere that water and salt with a splash of lemon squash works quite well?? not sure if anyone here has tried it?

 

[zacklaws]

Pint of water with half a gramme to one gramme of salt soon as I get home. Read this in one of Ian Carmichaels books and found that I do feel a lot better than my old regeme of just filling my face with anything

 

[Seamab]

Depends on the length of the ride really.

Under 2 hrs i usually use water with a Nuun electrolyte tablet. Over 2hrs an energy drink with electrolyte. Longer than that then i carry some sachets/tablets to mix on the go.

Afterwards usually tea with some food (started spreading Miso on my post ride sandwich which is pretty salty). But after a long ride water with salted nuts is good and a soluble multivitamin.

After a long ride i'm going to have the next day off so don't bother with protein shakes.

 

[Shadow]

Have tried lucozade recovery powder stuff and noticed no difference whatsoever...

...but then I don't think I have yet been on a proper long/hard ride !!!