This post will tell you how to make a very simple home-made hydration and fueling mix that really works. I use it myself on every bike ride over 60 minutes.
With the popularity of Zone 2 training, a lot of us are doing long, easy bike rides. Or trying to, anyway. However, running out of hydration and fuel can easily cut these rides short. If you’ve ever felt weak, shaky, hungry, or “empty” about an hour into a ride, you’re not alone. Most recreational cyclists don’t actually run out of fitness — they run out of fuel. The good news? You don’t need expensive sports drinks, gels, or mystery powders.
With a few kitchen ingredients, you can dramatically improve endurance, consistency, and enjoyment on longer rides.
The Most Common Mistake Cyclists Make
Many cyclists think endurance problems are caused by:
- Dehydration
- Lack of electrolytes
- “Needing more protein”
In reality, for rides longer than 60 minutes, the real issue is usually: Not enough easily available carbohydrates, taken early enough. You can drink plenty of water and still feel terrible if your blood glucose drops.
This was happening to me. I would plan an extra-long bike ride, and then find that at about 61 minutes, all I wanted to do was STOP. I felt weak, plus very, very hungry. As Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist often tells me how important it is to listen to my body, I would then stop and eat.
However, it turned out that I was simply running out of hydration and fuel. This simple home-made hydration and fueling mix fixed the problem, immediately. Now I regularly do 90 minutes to 120 minute rides. Best of all, we already had all the ingredients in our kitchen cupboards.
Related Post: How to Figure Out Your True Heart Rate Zones for Cycling Training – Tanaka and Karvonen Formulas
What Your Body Actually Needs During Long Rides
During steady endurance cycling, your body needs three things:
- Water – to maintain blood volume
- Carbohydrates – to keep muscles and brain supplied with glucose
- Sodium – to help absorb fluid and prevent fatigue
What it does not need during the ride:
- Protein
- Collagen
- Fiber
- Probiotics
- Fancy “recovery” ingredients
Those are for after the ride.
The Simple Home-Made Hydration and Fueling Mix for Longer Bike Rides
This is a proven, gut-friendly mix that works for most cyclists.
Per bottle (500–600 ml / 16–20 oz):
- Water: 500–600 ml
- Honey: 1 to 1½ tablespoons (about 15–25 g carbohydrates)
- Salt: ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon (about 300–600 mg sodium)
That’s it. No artificial colors. No $3 packets. No GI drama.
Related: The Best Cycling Workouts for Longevity: Why Zone 2 Might Be the Most Powerful Ride of Your Life
Why This Hydration and Fueling Mix Works So Well
Honey = fast, usable energy
Honey contains glucose and fructose, which:
- Absorb quickly
- Don’t require digestion
- Provide steady energy without spikes
This is why many cyclists immediately feel better when they add honey or sugar to water — their body is asking for fuel. I had tried responding to that by eating grapes during bike rides, but I just didn’t enjoy the feelings of eating and digesting while riding. And the grapes did not seem to help. Some people can respond well to eating food on bike rides, but I am not one of them.
Salt = hydration that actually hydrates
Without sodium:
- Water passes through you too quickly
- Blood volume drops
- Fatigue arrives early
A small amount of salt dramatically improves fluid absorption and endurance.
Water = the delivery system
Water alone isn’t fuel — it’s the transport mechanism for carbs and sodium.
How Much Should You Drink?
A simple rule of thumb:
- 1 bottle per hour
- Start sipping within the first 15 minutes
- Don’t wait until you feel hungry or weak — that’s already too late. Personally, I just start sipping slowly from the beginning of the ride, going through one bottle per hour.
For rides longer than 90 minutes, aim for:
- 30–45 g carbs per hour
- Up to 60 g/hour if intensity is higher
That can come from:
- A second bottle
- A banana (if eating on the bike works for you)
- Dates or fig bars
What NOT to Put in Your Bottle
Avoid these during rides:
- Protein powders
- Collagen peptides
- Inulin or fiber
- Probiotics
- Fat-heavy drinks
These slow stomach emptying and increase the risk of bloating or cramps — especially when riding hard.
Where Supplements Like Collagen Do Belong
Collagen and protein are excellent — just not mid-ride.
Best timing:
- Evening before the ride → recovery + sleep support
- After the ride → tendon and joint repair. On long ride days, I always have whey protein and a little collagen protein in the evening
During the ride? Skip them. Your body needs to focus on cycling, not digesting.
Who This Strategy Is Perfect For
This approach works especially well for:
- Recreational and endurance cyclists
- Indoor riders (Zwift, Rouvy, trainer sessions)
- Cyclists riding in heat
- Riders who “bonk” around the 1-hour mark (like me!)
- Anyone tired of trying expensive sports nutrition products
It’s simple, effective, and adjustable.
Final Takeaway
If your endurance rides feel harder than they should, don’t assume you need:
- Better fitness
- More supplements
- Stronger willpower
You probably just need earlier and smarter fueling. A bottle of water + honey + salt can be the difference between:
- Hanging on vs. riding strong
- Cutting rides short vs. extending them
- Suffering vs. enjoying the ride
Sometimes, the best performance upgrade is already in your kitchen. We trust that this simple home-made hydration and fueling mix will work for you. It definitely works for us!