Hydration and Eating

 I am going to do a 1/2 century ride tomorrow, and I cause use some suggestions for hydration. I am not looking to break world records, but do the distance.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have a 50oz Camelback which I will be filling with diluted gatorade, and I have 3 packages of granola and raisins. Is this okay? should I have more should I have less? Should I have something different?

Thanks Everyone.

Jay

Unfortunately, it's going to take a bit of trial and error.

Personally, I use the Camelbak, or Nuun tablets for my electrolytes cuz they are sugar-free. Every hour I eat 2 Gu Chomps and a Cliff Mojo Bar.

Then I have half a high protein sand-which when done!

So how did your ride go?

Sorry I'm getting to this a little late.

What I have seen from several sources is one bottle 20-24 ounces of fluid every hour
200-400 calories in whatever form you prefer every hour.

I prefer to drink my calories as it causes less stomach distress for me.  That and a gel or two.
I will also add in some solid food, but that is usually at the beginning of the ride.  It gets harder to take in solids later in the ride for me.  Then when the ride is over I will have some "real" food.

For the Gels, I will some times dilute them with some water.  You can get the Gels in bulk bottles and fill your own gel flasks.  I like this option as it is much neater you don't have to worry about opening foil packets or litter or anything like that while riding.  A gel flask will hole 5 or 6 servings of gel and is pretty convenient.

I also have a really cool water bottle that has a container with gel in it that sits inside the water bottle.  Depending on which way the valve is you get either water or gel.  Very cool idea and very convenient.

http://www.hydrapak.com/gel-bot/
I wish they made it in the insulated version like the polar or camelback bottles.

Oh hey new idea, I need to check and see if the top/gel container will fit into one of the insulated bottles.  That would save me carrying the gel flasks in my jersey or attached to the bike.


Scott

For my rides, I carry two water bottles, one with sports drink and one with water. I know where on the route I can refill them. Then I carry solid food to consume as I bike. However, for really long rides, sometimes I plan to buy stuff along the way to supplement what I can carry or just for variety.