Best drink for long rides?

**Big Dave** · 21st July 2009, 09:15

It's riding on a motorcycle. You're not carrying it across the Sahara.

**The Pastor** · 21st July 2009, 09:23

Originally Posted by Big Dave

It's riding on a motorcycle. You're not carrying it across the Sahara.

nah man, its hard work when your a road racer, throwing that bike side to side like a metronome, getting that knee down like 20 cent whore.

**ynot slow** · 21st July 2009, 09:39

While in hospital I had a jug of water by the bed,was ok taste wise,but on the 2nd day I was given an orange at lunch,didn't eat it but sqeezed the juice into the jug,took the bland taste away,chuck a couple in a litre of water just right.

**peasea** · 21st July 2009, 09:47

Originally Posted by 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?

On some of the long slogs I've done (riding from tank to tank non-stop) I've slurped a V while munching a bar like a Moro with nuts. I also like Bunderberg ginger beer, it refreshes and is easy on the gut.

**firefighter** · 21st July 2009, 09:57

Double Brown, 20 for 20!

**Headbanger** · 21st July 2009, 11:17

Whatever they are selling wherever I stop is fine by me.

Maggot sack and a servo coffee....sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

Beer and chips,even better.

**EJK** · 21st July 2009, 12:55

V

**peasea** · 21st July 2009, 12:57

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Whatever they are selling wherever I stop is fine by me.

Maggot sack and a servo coffee....sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

Beer and chips,even better.

Have some sympathy for your cholestorol level will you?

**Mikkel** · 21st July 2009, 13:04

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

-Indy

You oaf, make a 12 year and then we can talk about it.

Another option is to dehydrate yourself while riding, then the beers at the pub are more effective - and you can get away with less pee-breaks.

(No, don't do that - dehydration is bad for you mkay...)

**CookMySock** · 21st July 2009, 13:11

In case it is not immediately obvious, alcohol is a particulary dangerous thing to drink if you are already dehydrated, and coffee comes a close second.

Juice is also a quick way to get a bad acid guts, especially if you are drinking it all day.

Steve

**BarBender** · 21st July 2009, 13:21

Personally, I find its the 2 days leading up to a long ride that are important so make sure Im fully hydrated and balanced out if Im not already. When on the ride its just water and monkey food - bananas and salted peanuts.

**SMOKEU** · 21st July 2009, 13:24

Drink beer

**Gremlin** · 26th July 2009, 01:28

Originally Posted by Kickaha

chocolate milk

Very interesting... cheers for the link, and I do like chocolate milk, might be hard to use in a hydrabak tho, being thicker

Originally Posted by 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

hmmm I might try mizone next ride, see how I find it

Originally Posted by Mom

Water. Seriously, just good old fashioned water.

Don't like the taste drinking heaps hour after hour, but I do drink a lot of water

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Maggot sack and a servo coffee....sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

Beer and chips,even better.

Not good for you over long distances

Originally Posted by EJK

V

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

Drink beer

Perhaps a pisstake, but V and beer are terrible for you on rides. V (and other energy drinks) will pick you up, when when the artificial high ends, you're dropped to a level lower than you were originally. Alcohol lowers your reactions, makes you dehydrate faster etc, so definitely bad.

Food is already sorted. Muesli type bars, made by someone I know, nuts, raisins, oats etc, low GI, try to eat a couple of small bars at each stop.

Long rides, while not seeming physical, definitely are, and more so on a naked, constantly having the wind hitting you, and you need to maintain your mental alertness. Last GC saw one person falling asleep on the bike, glancing off the armco, and having a very lucky save. Could have been much worse

**Jantar** · 26th July 2009, 05:43

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

.... its not like you're riding in an enduro event, working really hard and sweating alot(?)

I do believe the ride that gremlin is preparing for is indeed an Endro event, just a road enduro rather than off road. 1000 - 1400 kms per day for 2 consecutive days is working really hard, and yes, he will be sweating a lot.

I hydrate fully before such events, then drink unsweetened fruit juice at each stop. Water is normally sufficient on most occassions as you get the other trace elements, sugars etc from your food. But when you are on rides like the TT2000 the chances of eating during the day are rather slim, so you do need a bit extra in your drink.

I figure that there will be time for a light lunch in Murchison on day 1, but so far I haven't been able to find an extra 10 minutes for eating anything on day 2 before the finish. (yes I will be trying for gold

)