What performance drinks do people use during a ride?

[GmanUK65]

Just wondering what performance drinks people use during a ride and any reasons (if you have any) on why you use them.
Myself I use High5 4:1 Energy Source. The reason I use this is because I have read a cycling nutrition book (I have mentioned this book in another thread in this forum) and it states in there that it has been scientifically proven that drinking a solution with 4 parts carb to 1 part protein is beneficial not only in energy production but also in muscle repairing during a hard ride. I have used this for a couple of years now and rarely suffer from aching legs after a ride.

 

[siadwell]

I tried this and didn't get on with the rather think consistency so stick to the standard High5 Energy Source.
In this month's Cycling Plus there's a (fairly superficial) review of energy drinks and High5 Energy Source and Torq came out well.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

I tried this and didn't get on with the rather think consistency so stick to the standard High5 Energy Source.
In this month's Cycling Plus there's a (fairly superficial) review of energy drinks and High5 Energy Source and Torq came out well.

Torq's an interesting one. Never tried it but just had a look at pricing compared to High5. I guess they're playing on the natural thing as comparatively - both sizes of tub/drum are noticably dearer.

ie: Torq 500g RRP £13.99 | High5 - 1kg RRP £16.49
Torq 1.5kg RRP £27.99 | High5 - 2.2kg RRP £29.99


ps: summer fruits High5 is lovely! Had a 1kg drum arrive this morning. Too happy to see the bottom of the 2.2kg orange drum I bought a year ago!

 

[HLaB]

If it works for you Gman thats fine but I don't believe from my experience there's much difference in products, keeping hydrated and and replacing salts seems more important to me than any scientific study (perhaps sponsored by the suppliers). I think I'm using Zipvit in one bottle and diluted juice in the other topped up with salt, and in the past I've had high 5, torq, homemade and a few others, there's not much difference IMO.

 

[Rob3rt]

Ribena

 

[Sittingduck]

I use orange or lemon squash and add a pinch of salt to it - seems to work ok

 

[Ningishzidda]

Ribena

Ribena in water with Sodium bicarbonate and glucose powder.

 

[GmanUK65]

Ive noticed a lot of people add salt to their drinks; I take it this is to replenish the salt lost through sweating. I dont know how much is the recommended amount to add (there is 0.4g in the drink I mentioned I use). Does anyone if this is enough or should I add a little more?

 

[PK99]

Ive noticed a lot of people add salt to their drinks; I take it this is to replenish the salt lost through sweating. I dont know how much is the recommended amount to add (there is 0.4g in the drink I mentioned I use). Does anyone if this is enough or should I add a little more?

problem is not "salt loss" but "salts loss" ie not just sodium chloride. adding salt only does part of the job.

I found switching from "squash and a pinch of salt" to a 0 calorie isotonic worked better - on most rides i don't need the extra calories from a sports energy drink as cafe and lunch stops deal with that, and an emergency bonk ration in my pocket deals with any late ride problems.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I use orange or lemon squash and add a pinch of salt to it - seems to work ok

+1

Was given the 'pinch of salt' tip by an ex-army fitness fanatic I used to ride with. He's 58 and still running at 4am every morning so it's done him no harm

 

[Globalti]

Plain maltodextrin bought from Myprotein.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Plain maltodextrin bought from Myprotein.

+1, also with a smidgen of fructose from the same supplier, makes it a bit sweeter.

 

[y2blade]

Erm,,,Water.

Am I doing it wrong?

 

[oldfatfool]

+1, also with a smidgen of fructose from the same supplier, makes it a bit sweeter.

+1 but also with a scoop of Whey Protein from same supplier, oh and a High5 zero tab to turn it isotonic

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Water, its cool refreshing and I can pour it over my head if needed