This week is a big week for Utah, as Tuesday is Pioneer Day. Being a recent Utah transplant that’s not a member of the dominant religious group, it’s not such a big deal for me – I don’t even get the day off work. But since there are quite a few Utah-based companies committed to providing quality outdoors gear, we figured this was as good a time as any to showcase them. We’ll start off with Alex’s review of elete Electrolytes, out of South Ogden, Utah.
– Brian
Over the past few months I‘ve found a new riding partner. My new buddy is pretty much the perfect ride companion. Always there when needed, but never gets in the way. Helps me push through the rough times, and just enjoys the ride when it‘s good. Never complains, but doesn‘t mind when I do. Always ready for a ride whether it‘s early or late. My new partner isn‘t someone I met at the LBS or on a social ride. It‘s elete Electrolyte Add-In.
I would seriously doubt that anyone reading this hasn‘t yet felt summer‘s wrath this year. We‘re baking here. Records are being broken daily. It‘s miserably hot. Late last summer, a hot endurance mountain bike ride caused my hamstrings to cramp. The first leg cramps I had ever had on the bike. And they weren‘t the last. Hot, long road rides from then on instigated cramps. I‘ve taken elete on the longest, hottest rides I‘ve done this year. I‘ve used it as a preventative measure, and I have even waited until the hamstring gave a subtle twinge as a clue that it was thinking of cramping before using elete. I‘m quite happy to say I haven‘t had a cramp yet this year. And just yesterday, the fact that I had the elete with me as back-up to the drink I had mixed in my bottle meant I was able to share with a friend who felt cramps coming on. He finished the next 20 miles without cramping.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of elete is its convenience. The small dispenser flask is smaller than a gel packet, yet contains enough concentrated electrolyte solution to make twenty, 16oz bottles when mixed at standard strength (1/4 teaspoon per 16 oz, or more simply, the cap filled to the top of the pointed section). Even if I‘m filling my bottles with other sport drinks, the elete gets tossed in my jersey pocket just in case.
I‘ve been turned off by the fizzy electrolyte tabs mostly because of their taste. I did a review of nuun over on TwoSpoke. The unpleasant flavor I found, especially as the nuun warmed, was there in other brands I have tried. The taste of both versions of elete I sampled was much more neutral. The unflavored version isn‘t noticeable when the drink is cold to cool and only gives a minor salt flavor as the drink warms. The CitriLyte flavor tastes like water with a lemon wedge in it and didn‘t taste much different whether the drink was cold or warm. In addition, these could easily be added to any drink for an extra electrolyte punch.
Elete does not provide any calories or carbohydrates and is simply an electrolyte mixture. According to the packaging, 32 oz of drink mixed at their recommended strength provides 125 mg of sodium and 130 mg of potassium.
So if you are crazy enough to be riding in this heat, say “hi” to me if we pass, and carry some elete with you. Trust me, you won‘t even notice it‘s there if you don‘t need it, but will be thankful it is if you do.
new.eletewater.com
– Alex