What’s your favorite gas-station option for hydration? Not the flavor (because lime+cucumber is obviously the only one that humanity really needs), but brand/type of the drink you would typically grab from a fridge in such occasion. Potential situations to consider:
Low carb / high electrolytes (not that stupid if you still have enough gels in your snack-box);
Low electrolytes / high carb (I normally carry extra LMNT on me just in case, and gels go at much faster rate);
or “full hydration mix” if you’re out of anything.
Context: went for a quick mid-day ride with two bottles of tailwind drink-mix, it was extremely hot, but at the same time I felt good so I ended up restocking at jug’n’loaf (US) to keep going. Grabbed two chugs of regular gatorade (had some gels, so didn’t care much about carbs in a bottle). What I’ve found out is that gatorade doesn’t help much with the thirst (if not makes it even worse…) in such heat (30+C/90+F). And I was stupid enough not to take any LMNT with me today. Hence asking what works for you.
Most gas stations will have a fountain drink option of Powerade or Gatorade. The one I stop at most has 44oz blue Powerade for $0.77, which is much cheaper than getting the bottles ones.
Other than that, getting a gallon of water is usually cheaper than individual water bottles.
Getting harder and Arden to find that size, unfortunately……the ideal is if you can find a Mexican Coke. Real sugar is the schitt for a mid-ride kickstart!!!
Yeah. I’ll grab a bottle of Mexi-Coke if it’s available, if not, small can, regular can, then last resort is a plastic bottle. Actually, that’s not true, last resort is a Pepsi.
The small can or Mexican bottle (smaller than US bottle) are a better size. If I drink a full-size US bottle, I’ll be belchy for miles after.
My stomach doesn’t do well in heat with Gatorade or the like. I think it’s the tartness. I will usually do a coke and buy a pack of peanut butter crackers or cookies.
I briefly worked for Pepsi Americas back in the late 00’s…leaving aside it was an awful professional experience, the worst part was feeling obligated to drink Pepsi at home…or having to order iced tea if we were at a “Coke pour” restaurant.
