Rehydration how to?

[xendistar]

When I ride I sweat badly and I have realised that this could be the cause of my cramp problem. Take yesterdays ride around Cannock, my 3ltr Camel back was 90% full with plain water and I had a 1ltr bottle of SIS sports drink. We did the dog and monkey trails, I started getting cramps from about half way round and ran out of water and SIS at the top of kitbag hill (I think that what it was called), fortunately one of my fellow riders gave me some more water to be going on with.

Now I am thinking that with all this sweating I am losing my bodies vital electrolytes etc. If I do a local ride 25ish miles fairly flatish I am OK, but when it comes to trying something different like Cannock where I end up exerting myself more, then I sweat more and then the cramps hit. Before going out I had some flapjack, took some maltloaf with me and some jelly babies which I ate on the way round. I honestly felt that if it was not for the cramps I could of carried on for a bit longer.

I don't really want to end up with SIS drink in my camel back and I don't want to end up carrying anymore fluids than I am currently as the weight penalty for 4ltrs of fluid is just under 9lbs.

So the question is what can I do\take\drink??

[fredmundo]

hey Xendi, I know your pain, I've been there. I found out that hard way that PSP22 just has glucose and no salts.

I usually fill my pack bladder with energy drink as this will give you salts etc.

I know people who use rehydration tablets in water if going for along period and not wanting to take energy drink. Nun are a good brand I'm told. I plan to pick some up myself to leave int eh pack as a fall back if I'm really ill prepared and can't take enough water with me.

[gorehound]

Try SiS go instead of psp22, don't just take a bottle of it fill your bladder so it lasts you the whole ride.

[reevil]

My Camelbak was full of SiS. At the end of the ride it was bone-dry - I'd done the lot & still suffered from constant cramping.

I reckon mine was partly due to lack of riding lately, partly tiredness & partly 'cause I left my lunch in the car (doh!)

[Aldo]

I use dioralyte powder, or to be more accurate, boots cheaper own version. Cheap and has worked well, I used to suffer bad cramps in my left hammy, it more or less cured it, a couple of sachets as soon as I'm back and it rarely comes back.

[reevil]

My post was an ooutrageous lie. I use High 5, not SiS. Sorry.

[xendistar]

hey Xendi, I know your pain, I've been there. I found out that hard way that PSP22 just has glucose and no salts.

I usually fill my pack bladder with energy drink as this will give you salts etc.

I know people who use rehydration tablets in water if going for along period and not wanting to take energy drink. Nun are a good brand I'm told. I plan to pick some up myself to leave int eh pack as a fall back if I'm really ill prepared and can't take enough water with me.

Thanks fred I was trying to avoid filling my camelbak with anything other than water, looks like I am not going to have a choice.....

I use dioralyte powder, or to be more accurate, boots cheaper own version. Cheap and has worked well, I used to suffer bad cramps in my left hammy, it more or less cured it, a couple of sachets as soon as I'm back and it rarely comes back.

I had the squirts real bad once (food poisoning) and was given dioralyte powder by the doc and they tasted absolutely horrible, will investigate Boots own label and see what they have.

Looks like I am going to have to fill my camelbak up with the stuff what ever I use

[steve_sordy]

Fortunately, I've never suffered from cramps, but I sure do sweat a lot. I once had a perfect day where I was so full of energy I was on fire and shot around the trail at warp speed. So I went again the following day and it was like I was dragging the weight of the world behind me. What was going on!!!

My tri-athlete daughter recommended SIS GO Electrolyte Energy - Fuel. It works for me. The instructions say 40g dissolved in 500ml of water, and to drink it all every 30-45 mins. But I find that its too thick and I just can't drink it all that quickly. I put about 30g in a 750ml bottle of my favourite dilute-to-taste squash (M&S High Juice). I usually take at least 1.5 litres with me, up to 3 litres if its a long hot day.

OK, I'm not conforming to the intructions, but as I say it works for me, so why take more?

You can buy sachets at the supermarket to give it a go and see which type of SIS Go you prefer (they have many types, as well as flavours). But the sachets are expensive. I buy mine in 1.6Kg tubs, see link.
http://www.phd-fitness.co.uk/store/p...te-1600Gr.html

I also take some SIS Gels. One with caffeine before I set off:
http://www.dolphinfitness.co.uk/en/s...ts-berry/24169

and one for energy mid ride:
http://www.dolphinfitness.co.uk/en/s...-30-gels/24109

I'll take a few spares of both on a long ride.

Oh, and some fun size Mars, about one per hour. And a few other cereal based bars, my current favourite is "Medley" a chocolate dipped chewy hobnob (that's my description) from ASDA.

Then I don't need lunch unless its a really long day, and then all I'll have a is a large coffee and a regular Mars bar.

I hope you get your cramps sorted soon. have you tried talking to your GP. Mine rides an MTB, so he's a diamond!

[steve_sordy]

PS: I realise that there may be concerns about putting energy drinks in your bladder.

I don't have any problems. I am rigorous about rinsing it out after every ride, while my clothes are still in the washing machine. I dry the bladder with paper towels and then hang it up to dry with a few more crumpled paper towels propping open the bladder walls so it can air off. Every now and then I'll treat it with a Steradent.

[Gunwitch]

DOn't put energy drinks in your bladder. It seems you carry enough water just not enough salts. Aldo had a good one, dioralyte powder, the stuff you should take when you've got the shits to replace lost salt.
Sweat is salt leaving the body as well as fluids so this is important to replace.
Eating loads of energy drinks and bars is wrong as well. YOu need some proper food that will burn slowly unlike energy bars that give you bursts of energy.
On rides, about halfway through, stop and take a 30 minute break, drink water, eat food replace lost salt.
Everyone is different when it comes to loosing salt and sweating.
By all means take an energy drink, but don't rely on it.
Steve have you put your bladder in the freezer?