Water or Gatorade The Mountain Biking Dilemma
The debate rage in every sport, and mountain biking is no exception which is the better choice for a trip, water or Gatorade (or another similar sports drink).
Proponents of the Gatorade side use the same logic as is found in the commercials. When you are working hard, your body loses more than just water. You are also sweating out electrolytes and nutrients that are vital in keeping your body able to maintain the pace. Drinking water is great for hydrating, but it lacks any nutritional value and therefore will not replenish all your body’s needs on the trail Gatorade and other sports drinks supply the extra boost to your body’s system through the inclusion of vitamins and electrolytes that your body needs to regain.
Proponents of water point out that most of the hydration packs, including Camelbaks, are designed for holding water and not necessarily for thicker drinks such as Gatorade. They also point out that water is less expensive and much easier to come by than sports drinks.
So who has the right of it in this grand debate?
The truth is, Gatorade and other sports drinks are really not as vital to your body’s needs while exercising as their company executives would like for you to think. Sure, their science sounds convincing, but so does the science from tobacco companies. Gatorade tastes refreshing when you are out on a mountain bike trail but is it a bare necessity? Probably not.
Gatorade is simply not necessary in most mountain biking circumstances. Unless you are really working your body out in some extreme heat (such as in Arizona or New Mexico) then the odds still are that you are not losing enough electrolytes that they need to be replaced before your next meal. The most important concern is that you keep hydrated. Water can do just the trick on the trails!
Many bikers also feel that Gatorade and other sports drinks are just too heavy for the trail, in terms of the affect on the stomach. They claim that if you insist on Gatorade (and many will, for no reason other than the taste), you should water the drink down to about half strength for the trip.
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