Hydration Tablet Storage on Rides?

Nutrition
1

Any ingenious solutions for storing hydration tablets on long / multi-day rides that keeps them dry and intact? Keeping them in the original tube just means they gradually turn into powder due to the constant movement, wherever on the bike I keep them. Have also tried:

  • keeping them in little ziplock bags but they seem to absorb moisture and then stick together in a big lump
  • individually wrapping them in foil in the ziplock bag - pain in the arse when you’re tired and creates rubbish

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

2

Personally - I’d just switch to an individually packaged powder like LMNT, Liquid IV, Skratch, etc…

3

You could have someone 3d print a water proof tube the exact size diameter of your tablets. Stuff cotton inside to minimize rattling.

4

Could you stuff some paper towels or cotton balls in there to keep them pressed down?

5

I have no issues with my Precision tabs in a baggie and i am in the sort-of-south where the humidity in the summer is oppressive.

6

I store them in the tube but in my jersey, not on the bike.

7

This, I use Salt Stick tabs and they came with a tube the exact size of the tablet. Otherwise I have used a little snap top container that like diabetes test strips come in. I like the containers that the lid is attached to so it doesn’t fall off.

8

For rides with supply points that use already mixed drink, I take an old tube of the tablets and fill it almost to the top with my own drink mix and add a tablet on top. When I refill at the aid station, I add the contents of the tube to the bottle.

9

I barely use them preferring a carb drink instead. On really long rides I’ve placed a free sample one which is individually wrapped in my wallet as back up but I’ve not had to use many of them.

10

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I guess I should also clarify that as a small, not-very-salty sweater, I find that a whole tablet (I use Science in Sport) is too much electrolyte for 1 drink for me, so I only use half a tablet, meaning there’s always at least one 1/2 tablet knocking around in the bag or tube. I’ll definitely try experimenting with putting some cotton wool in the tube - that might stop them disintegrating. Has anyone tried using those little silica sachets to keep things dry? Are they safe to have next to food items?

11

I haven’t tried it myself by some prescription pills I get have one or two silica desiccant packets in the bottle touching the pills so I assume they would be safe with hydration tablets. Just don’t eat the stuff in the pouches and you should be fine.