Best drink for long rides?

[Gremlin]

Ok, I'm sure there are a few of those nutritionist-genius people hiding around here...

I'm after a drink that replenishes fluids, electrolytes etc, after long rides (well, and during actually), assisting with staying in good condition (I sound like a horse). We're not talking 200km rides. More like 1000km+, and/or multi-day, so keeping hydrated is important.

It needs to be reasonably widely available (so I can grab it from supermarkets, gas stations etc) and I have been using Powerade so far (I do think the blue looks neat). However, I believe its got other things in it (technical term) that are not so good for you.

Anybody know which is the best for ya?

[Taz]

I only drink water on the RNMC GC. Seems to work.

[YellowDog]

You can make your own with water salt and sugar, but it doesn't quite taste as good.

If you have a camel back, Glucose powder in water is pretty good (once you get used to the taste).

[Kickaha]

It needs to be reasonably widely available (so I can grab it from supermarkets, gas stations etc) and I have been using Powerade so far (I do think the blue looks neat). However, I believe its got other things in it (technical term) that are not so good for you.

Anybody know which is the best for ya?

chocolate milk

[nosebleed]

I only use powerade for hypo's (low blood sugar) because its so sugary. I'd go Mizone for a watered down version of the same thing

[Mom]

Water. Seriously, just good old fashioned water.

[Laava]

Water. Seriously, just good old fashioned water.

Can you make your own?

[skidMark]

water is flavourless though

then again... i have a $80 a week energy drink habbit...

[dogsnbikes]

I have always found Water is best... its easy to get if you dont like the taste you can add electrolyte satches to it or raro..

but really if you want to keep your engery levels up have a snak on stops and wash it down with your water....

just remember some drinks are good for a short term sugar rush but they can dehydrate you over time apple juice is a prime example

[kiwifruit]

Water. Or water with http://www.horleys.com/ViewProduct.aspx?id=33 but i doubt you'd need anything but water to be honest... its not like you're riding in an enduro event, working really hard and sweating alot(?)

[Indiana_Jones]

-Indy

[SlashWylde]

I use Horleys 'Replace' after gym workouts to help replace electrolytes and muscle glycogen. It is cheap - around $18 for a container of powered formula - and is available at most supermarkets in a variety of flavours.

[Laxi]

chocolate milk

hmmm explains my coffee milk addiction (only the tararua stuff, the rest taste like crap)

[Headbanger]

What we need is a 9000 word post of riding bikes and dehydration, and luckily there is one around here somewhere......

[CookMySock]

Only water. Fruit (bananas) if you need some electrolytes or sugar. I never go anywhere without a drink bottle, and if I'm on a 5 hour trip I take a few bananas.

Two things are critical on a bike, drink plenty of plain water, and don't overeat.

Also stay off the refined carbs (no pies and cakes) or at least eat only very small quantities of them (sausage roll instead of pie.)

If you have been riding for a few hours and take a break and have a coffee and two pies, that will flatten you hard.

Steve