What to drink on a summer ride
In summer you sweat more on the bike than it seems, because the wind dries your skin. Fluid needs are not the same for everyone, so it is best to measure yours.
- Author:
- Honey Bee Power
- Updated:
- 1 min read
How much to drink
Fluid replacement guidance (Sawka et al., 2007) does not give one amount for everyone; it recommends an individual plan: drink to avoid larger body-weight loss during exercise, but do not drink more than you lose.
How to measure your loss
- Weigh yourself before the ride, without clothes and after using the toilet
- Note how much you drink during the ride
- Weigh yourself after the ride, towelled dry
- The weight difference plus the fluid you drank roughly shows how much you lost
Isotonic drink
The Honey Bee Power isotonic is a drink powder; according to the label a 15 g serving has 13.5 g of carbohydrate. We are confirming the full ingredients and preparation from the pack. The drink is low in sodium, so we do not present it as electrolyte replacement.
This is general information, not medical or nutritional advice.
Questions
Can I drink only water?
On shorter rides, usually yes. On longer rides, general guidance also lists carbohydrate, from any source (Thomas et al., 2016).
Is drinking too much bad?
Yes, drinking more than you lose through sweat is not advisable. That is why measuring your own loss helps.