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I have noticed that the those riding mountain bikes often wear the hydration backpacks; I assume because fresh water may not be available. However, very rarely do I see road bike riders wearing these backpacks. Any comments? If water bottles; 1 or 2. If backpacks, what size?
I’ve used both for touring and training, and have developed a preference for hydration packs. I find that I’m much more likely to sip water on a regular basis and stay hydrated. Now I use my water bottles also, but on long tours and rides I like using the camel-back.
Hydropaks 101, mtn bikers use them because water bottles can and will pop out of holders on rough trails and it’s way easier to reach for the water hose while riding trails than reaching down for a bottle. iceman says 1 bottle is enough, but in reality take 2 and fill them up each stop with ‘good tasting’ water, and never dump the water from both bottles to refill till you’ve tasted the water from the hose or whatever you are using, sometimes the water in small towns can have a unique taste. If and when you are really in need of ‘good’ water then head for the nearest convenience store or get ready to spend some $ on bottled water from a concession stand.
Almost forgot, another reason for 2 bottles is the occasional times when there is no water-the death march to Audobon any one.
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Yes, I remember well the death march in to Audobon. Back then I just had 2 bottles. Doesn’t do you much good though when both run dry. It was hot that day and the last 20 miles there was nothing to be found.
Now I still use two bottles most of the time, but on really hot days I will use a 70 oz hydration pack in addition to the bottles. This gives me plenty of water for those long hot days. On cooler days I leave the hydration pack off and just use the bottles. As someone mentioned, with a hydration pack, I tend to drink more so am less likely to get dehydrated.
I like water bottles. I don’t like the idea of wearing a pack on my back. Usually I start with 2 bottles of Gatorade. Then usually fill the first empty with water. On the really hot days I can empty both before the next town and will stop on route for either water or Gatorade. I figure let the bike carry the weight instead of my body.
Just Krusin said: Almost forgot, another reason for 2 bottles is the occasional times when there is no water-the death march to Audobon any one.
Or, as happened to me on a long isolated stretch of road, the day you drop your water bottle, hear it bounce, and then go “SWISH” as a car runs over it. (Probably not as big a deal on RAGBRAI, but it made for some rather distressing times on that ride for me.
Mountain bikers use backpacks. Because water bottles get bounced out of bottle cages. There are also off road. With little chance of finding a place to fill with water. There are some down sides to using a backpack on a roadbike. You are carrying the weight on your back. You are also preventing your jersey from properly venting body heat. Water in the feed tube gets nasty. The up side is you have a place to carry things. Towns on RAGBRAI are 10-20 miles apart. A 24oz bottle should last between towns. I highly suggest a thermal bottle like Polar. The are excellent at keeping water cold. I would also highly suggest 2 bottles. Sometimes there are longer stretches or its just blazing hot.
I’ve tried both and like the bottles better–I can’t get used the backpack and the tube. It’s really a personal preference for all. This year I’m going to use insulated water bottles, which I have never needed here in the Bay Area. In Iowa,I found my water bottles got too warm to really drink.
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