Hydration.

[crisisjez]

How do you guys manage on the longer rides?
I have been using 3 1000ml bottles, one on the frame and 2 behind me on a stem bracket. Thing is the rear 2 keep falling out as the weight overcomes the shear strength of the lock nut even with cable ties helping and I'm getting fed up of loosing bottles when the odd idiot motorist runs them over before I can recover them.
I always seem to drink all 3 and I'm still only riding 60Mi so I was wondering wether you guys are using Camelpacks or some other such solution when you ride similar or longer distances.
I have relocated the pump to utilise the second frame lugs but I'm not sure 2000ml its enough pushing out beyond about 45Mi.

[Rob_T]

not sure my answer will help. i can easily do 60 miles on two 'normal' sized bottles. normally i've only drunk half of one bottle by 40 miles.

the other thing you can do at the moment is turn your mouth towards the sky and let nature 'fill you up'

[racerbob]

I'd say you are overdoing it a bit there with 3 bottles for that distance. I usually do a similar distance with 1 x 500ml bottle without a problem, I usually average 19-20 mph training speed so not exactly pottering about. I normally drink about a litre of water before a ride and rehydrate when I return. Obviously this can vary with temperature, the hotter weather may see me use 2 x bottles, but never needed 3, just extra weight to lug up the hills.

[Rouleur]

That's a hell of a lot of liquid! I'd also only take two 750ml bottles for that distance, one of Power Bar/High 5 and one water but only full if it's hot.

If you really want to continue drinking that much then either a Camelbak or regular refills we be the best options I reckon. I use a Camelbak Rogue for MTBing, it's just a nice size for getting tubes, bits of food etc in without being too big.

[Burrow01]

How are you working out that you need 3 bottles?

I've just done a 100km ride, and used just over two 500ml bottles

The weather will make a difference, but 3 bottles seems a lot for the distance you are doing, especially given the current weather

[rhinochopig]

Those distances I'd stop for a pub lunch: steak pie, pint of ale, and perhaps a lime and soda if I'd stopped at the bottom of a climb. Great stuff!

[crisisjez]

Thanks for the quick replies. I do tend to push hard (for me, ave HR 160's)) and I really suffer on the hot days. I find that if I don't drink a lot I feel a bit head spinny and as a job I spend most of my time at altitude so I'm always fighting dehydration. I want to extend to 100+ this year so I just wondered how its done.
Just to add I never need a pee stop.

Edited by crisisjez on Tuesday 12th June 18:57

[racerbob]

rhinochopig said:

Those distances I'd stop for a pub lunch: steak pie, pint of ale, and perhaps a lime and soda if I'd stopped at the bottom of a climb. Great stuff!

I think this guy has the right idea !

[Janosh]

Are there no refil stops where you ride?

I find that i'm never too far away from shops, public toilets, etc so just fill up en route!

[crisisjez]

Janosh said:

Are there no refil stops where you ride?

I find that i'm never too far away from shops, public toilets, etc so just fill up en route!

Not generally, I try to ride the lanes. Guess I'll have to plan them into my rides.

Edited by crisisjez on Tuesday 12th June 19:06

[Engineer1]

Solution from MTB world Camelback? or bottle belt thing? this?

[BOBTEE]

My Camelback holds 3 litres... I ride MTB, not sure what you skinny tyre boys make of rucksacks?!

[Bacon Is Proof]

BOBTEE said:

My Camelback holds 3 litres... I ride MTB, not sure what you skinny tyre boys make of rucksacks?!

My Camelbak holds six cans of lager. Keeps it nice and cool and making the filler hole big enough to fit ice cubes through was a stroke of genius.

[itsnotarace]

crisisjez said:

How do you guys manage on the longer rides?

Are you hydrated before you leave for your ride? And I don't mean by drinking tea or coffee

On rides upto about 45 miles I will only take a single 750ml bottle out with me otherwise I'd be stopping every 15 miles for a comfort break. I will drink a fair bit when I get back mind

[itsnotarace]

swerni said:

We think they're for girls

[crisisjez]

itsnotarace said:

Are you hydrated before you leave for your ride? And I don't mean by drinking tea or coffee

On rides upto about 45 miles I will only take a single 750ml bottle out with me otherwise I'd be stopping every 15 miles for a comfort break. I will drink a fair bit when I get back mind

I'll try that today, I have a 45miler out, fish and chip supper, and a 58mile night ride return planned for today. Looking forward to it but a little aprehensive as I've never ridden the lanes at night before.

[rhinochopig]

swerni said:

itsnotarace said:

swerni said:

We think they're for girls

The bells the bells

I hadn't realised you were that old Steve. Taken on the London to Brighton last year?

[P-Jay]

Does seem a lot, I did a 55Mi MTB ride on Sunday on about 2 1/4 litres of fluids. 5 hours or so!

[PGM]

Bacon Is Proof said:

My Camelbak holds six cans of lager. Keeps it nice and cool and making the filler hole big enough to fit ice cubes through was a stroke of genius.

You dilute your lager?

[MadDad]

There are so many things that will affect your hydration, temperature, weather, terrain, etc. On my road bike I use significantly less than when riding one of my MTB’s. 30 miles on an MTB off road and I will sink 1000mls of hydration drink and 750 mls of carb drink, 30 miles on a road bike and I will sip 400-500mls of hydration drink.

As others have already said you do seem to be taking on a lot for the distances you are riding, how long have you been road riding? When I first jumped on a road bike I would do 2 x 750 mls on a 30-40 mile ride (moderate temperature), 2 years on and I use 400 mls on the same ride – some of your intake will just be about conditioning.

I would suggest that you begin by focusing on your ‘off bike’ hydration, I have a 500 ml sports bottle on my desk at work which I probably fill up 5 or 6 times in the working day – so I am well hydrated before I jump in the saddle of an evening.

I also use High5 or Nuun hydration tablets when riding, ‘in theory’ the electrolytes should stop you cramping and reduce your need to take on so much fluid.

I think your focus should be on reducing your intake, rather than carrying more. If you find that you really do need 3 ltrs of fluid while you are riding stop in at a pub, cafe etc – they are usually more than happy to let you have some water.

Don’t go down the route of a camelback – having a sweaty back from carrying another 2 ltrs of fluid won’t help