For those of you that exercise regularly, you know the importance of staying hydrated, especially when you are out for several hours.

I've tried several exercise drinks and never been completely happy with any of them. Sometimes they are too sweet or have a strange artificial flavor. Sometimes they just don't sit well in the stomach. I had been using Heed for a while, but never liked how sticky it was.

I read about Secret Drink Mix launching at Interbike and decided to give it a try. I bought a few of the single use packets.

I was pleasantly surprised after my first ride. The flavor is good, but not too strong. Easy on the stomach and not sticky. I starting using the Secret Drink Mix as my regular drink. I liked the Orange and Lemon-Lime flavors. I didn't try Raspberry, 'cause I hate raspberry. But that's any entire rant in of itself...

The foil packets were easy use, the right amount for one bottle. Actually, I usually ride with 24oz bottles and the amount in the packet is for 16oz of water, so it's a little more diluted than recommended. This hasn't been a problem for me.

I read up a little more on what was going on with Secret Drink Mix. Dr. Allen Lim, the famed sports physiologist is behind Secret Drink Mix. Lim's philosophy of sticking with 'real food' and avoiding gels and goos is well known. In developing SDM, they stuck to simple basic ingredients and avoided any artificial flavors, colors, or other additives. I especially that the flavor comes from ground up, freeze dried fruit.

Below is an interview from Interbike with Dr. Lim where he goes into the details.

I bought a 1 pound bag and more packets. The packets work well for carrying in my jersey pocket on long rides where I need a bottle refill. They sell a small container to hold the power. Looks like a tea container to me, but it works fine.

After several weeks of using SDM during training rides and two metric century rides, I can say I'm a believer. It's the best electrolyte drink I've used. I like their philosphy of moving toward real food while riding and away from goos and gels. On last Saturday's ride, I left my Gu Energy alone in favor of eating a sandwich and a few cookies at the SAG stops. I do enjoy the Honey Stinger stroopwafels. They seem to be a reasonable alternative to more chemically focused energy products.

If you are looking for a change in your drink, give Secret Drink Mix a try, you may like it.

Posted by michael at October 17, 2011 12:17 PM