Need something better than Lucozade (!)

Zippy

Summer and winter, foul weather and fouler, in the one bottle-cage I have 750ml of flat Lucozade and in the other, plain water. (Yes, I 'take two bottles out in the showers'. Sorry – couldn't resist.)

I'm out for about five hours – very moderate pace: just sightseeing, really – and in warmer weather replenish both bottles with just plain water en-route. I suspect I could do better than Lucozade so what is a budget alternative, please? I don't need the absolute best 'scientific' stuff: no athlete am I, sadly.

Thank you,

Zip'.

supersonic

Lucozade is full of glucose - about 20%, good for a quick sugar hit, but without that water will dehydrate you.

If taking plenty of food and fruit ie bananas then just plain water should suffice. A bag of jelly babies good for a quick and cheap sugar hit.

If taking less food, then something like diluted orange cordial with a half teaspoon of salt (per litre) and half teaspoon of low salt can make a cheap isotonic drink.

Zippy

Thank you for that, 'supersonic': I'll give them a try: the jelly babies, of course. Your other suggestion also receives a cordial welcome. Honestly, though, as much salt and lo-salt as that? I don't question you from any lofty, medically-informed standpoint, just the always-seeing-it-on-the-telly (mis)conception that salt is the latest no-no.

Thanks again,

Zip'.

Rich9

if you're a fat lazy couch potato then salt is a no-no. but your body does need a certain level of salt, especially coupled with regular excercise. When you sweat you are loosing some of your natural body salts

FSR_XC

As a cheap energy drink (that seems to work better than water!), I've been using 'Iso Energy' from Holland & Barratt.

It isn't as good as PSP22 (for example), but then you don't see offers like 3 for 2 on that either.

I think I got 2 tubs for £5 last time.

Zippy

Thanks, all.

Er, 'PSP22'?

Zip'.

jadamson

tbh im not too sure whether this is as good as lucozade prob not but it works for me... i get a bottle and fill a quarter with squash like robinsons R or even tescos or any cheap brand and then 3 quarters water and 2 good pinches of sugar and 1 pinch of salt. you can get these spoons that give you exact proportions of salt and suger but i just work on the lines of put double the amount of suger than salt. give it a go it works well for my martial arts havnt used it cycling yet but will work the same obviously

FSR_XC

Zippy wrote:

Thanks, all.

Er, 'PSP22'?

Zip'.

SIS PSP22:
http://www.certini.co.uk/view_product.p ... &p_id=3707

ISO Energy:
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/ ... sp?pid=550

Bossangel

i've got a 2 litre camel back, i mix 1 litre cheap supermarket orage juice, 1 litre tap water and some salt, works great

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

PErsonally I'm dead against lucozade. I have a high metabolism so I find that after a ten minute rush I just crash within half an hour and stay that way for an hour or so. on a ride I take loads of water - mainly to keep my brain sharp (as brain dehydrates before the body) and a Low GI energy bar from any good sports shop.

I think low GI is the key because it wont make you crash unlike glucose based energy.

glucose is cheap.

cee

like MAB, i prefer not to go for the instant sugary hit....much prefer a slower releasing item

Plain old water, plus a load of fruit, nuts and seeds etc and always jelly babies in reserve if it gets really tough,

stubs

I use 50/50 fruit juice and water with a pinch of salt for a up to a couple hours ride anything longer I use Nuun tablets they are fruit flavoured tablets that dissolve in your water and provide all the electrolytes you need

For energy on the go I munch 70% dark chocolate and when we stop out comes the fig rolls

tlw1

Water & think of a pint in the pub seems to get me through!

counterculture

a half bottle of buckfast in your hydration pack should sort you out, not necessarily help you, but it will sort you out.

skullthaw

cant remeber wot mtb mag it was but they did a diy recipy for energy and t great

50g of glucose (dextrose monohydrateat chemists )- boots £2 for 454grams
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda- few pennies
1/4 teaspoon of salt - few pennies
100ml of favorite squash - 10p ish
900ml of water - free (well almost)

so about £3 quid for 9 l of energy drink bargin!!!

makes a litre obviously
have a mouthful every few mins it works wonders!!

The Northern Monkey

this may help a bit..
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12572817