I am not a big fan of water. Instead I tend to mix up either an orange water mix or limewater mix. when I go off on a long trip (40 miles is so far my maximum), I bring about 1 litre of the above liquid with me in my cycle pannier.
Of course, I assume I shall have to increase this for the summer, but so far I really dont get that thirsty.
I have read about camelpacks. Can any one let me know what they are like? I hate a hot sweaty back, and Im sure one of these would create one. Also, how do you clean them, particularly the feed pipe. Looks like a great place for bacteria to me.
So when I do my cycling holidays later in the summer, I am thinking of bringing my orange/limewater mixture in used water bottles.
What do you long distance riders bring with you?
Mary
Water on a cycle trip
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reohn2
Mary
Don't you have bottle cages or provision for them/one on your bike?
they usually fit on either the down or seat tube or both if not you can buy bottle cages that can be fitted with clips around the tube,a drinks bottle can then taken and used on the move.
I like to drink water as it is surprising just how much liquid needs replacing when cycling.
I personally don't like cordial as I find it too sugary.
When its warm and or on long rides (upwards of 80mls)I use SIS (PSP22)drink.
I don't much fancy carrying anything on my back when cycling.
Don't you have bottle cages or provision for them/one on your bike?
they usually fit on either the down or seat tube or both if not you can buy bottle cages that can be fitted with clips around the tube,a drinks bottle can then taken and used on the move.
I like to drink water as it is surprising just how much liquid needs replacing when cycling.
I personally don't like cordial as I find it too sugary.
When its warm and or on long rides (upwards of 80mls)I use SIS (PSP22)drink.
I don't much fancy carrying anything on my back when cycling.
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AlbionLass
Don't underestimate how much liquid you could need on a long ride, especially in warmer weather.
On rides of about 40 miles last Summer I was getting through about 2-3 bottles, sometimes more.
Always drink before you actually feel thirsty, by the time you feel thirsty your body is already starting to feel the effects of dehydration.
On rides of about 40 miles last Summer I was getting through about 2-3 bottles, sometimes more.
Always drink before you actually feel thirsty, by the time you feel thirsty your body is already starting to feel the effects of dehydration.
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reohn2
Two tips.................... sounds sad and kinky - but it will make sense!
Look at your urine on a few ocacsions while you are spending a normal day.
If when out cycling the urine is darker you are not drinking enough. This is however retrospective, and is a sign that you need to drink more and earlier next time - a way of training you to change habits.
The second is similar, but again retrospective. Time how long each day you spend passing urine, again try and match, this time if you spend less time passing you are drinking insufficiently.
Both methods are a way of training yourself and as a guide as to how much you need to drink.
Look at your urine on a few ocacsions while you are spending a normal day.
If when out cycling the urine is darker you are not drinking enough. This is however retrospective, and is a sign that you need to drink more and earlier next time - a way of training you to change habits.
The second is similar, but again retrospective. Time how long each day you spend passing urine, again try and match, this time if you spend less time passing you are drinking insufficiently.
Both methods are a way of training yourself and as a guide as to how much you need to drink.
You should just try to drink as much water as possible. Keep drinking it & take every opportunity to refill your bottles (taps at public toilets, cemeteries, ask people you see in their gardens, or in an emergency even consider buying it from a shop!). Drink it first, then worry about where you'll get a refill next - don't try to eke it out. It is very easy to underestimate how much of a difference being even slightly dehydrated makes to your ability to function on a bike.
I learned to my cost that water isn't enough. Salts and sugars help with the osmosis to get the liquids absorbed into the bloodstream much more quickly.
Water plus fruit-juice plus a sprinkle of salt works very well. Tastes funny, but the "isotonic" benefits work quickly and effectively.
Water plus fruit-juice plus a sprinkle of salt works very well. Tastes funny, but the "isotonic" benefits work quickly and effectively.
Mick F. Cornwall
You can get used to drinking very little water. I also agree that you should replace minerals and salts and tank up before a ride. Where I live in Mid Wales you can just drink out of the streams if you are thirsty. I hate the idea these hydro pack things that you carry on your back. Looking very wet and miserable outside - not really cycling weather.
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thirdcrank
- Posts: 36740
- Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 2:44pm
I think there are two separate issues here
what are you going to drink?
how will you carry it?
The importance of hydration has only been realised quite recently and it is certainly true of cycling. On long rides the various supplements seem to be helpful but you need to find something palatable to you. Nothing like a long bike ride to make you feel choosy.
Some people find the camalback type of arrangement very useful but for others there is an image problem. Traditional bottles - bidons - were largely intended for ease of getting a drink from helpers in a race and they are easily carried in cages on a bike. Nothing to stop you carrying any sort of bottle in a pannier or saddlebag if you stop for a drink and the bikebuddy can clip a big coke bottle, full of your own choice of drink to the frame.
what are you going to drink?
how will you carry it?
The importance of hydration has only been realised quite recently and it is certainly true of cycling. On long rides the various supplements seem to be helpful but you need to find something palatable to you. Nothing like a long bike ride to make you feel choosy.
Some people find the camalback type of arrangement very useful but for others there is an image problem. Traditional bottles - bidons - were largely intended for ease of getting a drink from helpers in a race and they are easily carried in cages on a bike. Nothing to stop you carrying any sort of bottle in a pannier or saddlebag if you stop for a drink and the bikebuddy can clip a big coke bottle, full of your own choice of drink to the frame.
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eileithyia
- Posts: 8446
- Joined: 31 Jan 2007, 6:46pm
- Location: Horwich Which is Lancs :-)
Hi Mary, am a water only person (and plenty of tea at caff stops) like R2 I find the sugar content too sickly in cordial drinks and it makes my mouth feel really yeuk, whereas water is a cleaner taste.
As with R2, get some means of carrying water bottles on your bike.
It is less easy to buy the right clips these days to fit a bottle a tube, however Decathlon do a very neat attachment for such, I realise yo do not live near one and as yet they do not do mail order, however if you seriously struggle for an clip then let me know I can pick some more next I am in the Stockport store and post them on to you they are only about 2 quid.
Many mtbers use camelbaks to keep the drink area clear of s**t when riding thru fields of cow pats etc. Have seen them creep into long distance tt-ing presumably because they carry a larger amount of liquid.
The bladder and drink pipe can be removed for cleaning, as with all drinks bottles/bladders i would always soak them in Milton before washing esp if I've had anything other than water in them. Tablets can be easily carried with you on holiday trips and bottles soaked overnight.
When I first started cycling I found I never caried a bottle in winter, but thinking/attitudes have changed and these days I would not venture out without a bottle. I certainly drink more these days.
If you only have space to carry one bottle, you can top it up, if you do use psp type supplements, this comes in "white" powder, which you can carry in small bags and add to bottles when you beg a top up of water at a cafe.
The tips about drinking before thirsty and ensuring urine is pale lemon are important to take note of.
Remember your performance suffers if you are dehydrated just as much as if you are short of other nutrients.
As with R2, get some means of carrying water bottles on your bike.
It is less easy to buy the right clips these days to fit a bottle a tube, however Decathlon do a very neat attachment for such, I realise yo do not live near one and as yet they do not do mail order, however if you seriously struggle for an clip then let me know I can pick some more next I am in the Stockport store and post them on to you they are only about 2 quid.
Many mtbers use camelbaks to keep the drink area clear of s**t when riding thru fields of cow pats etc. Have seen them creep into long distance tt-ing presumably because they carry a larger amount of liquid.
The bladder and drink pipe can be removed for cleaning, as with all drinks bottles/bladders i would always soak them in Milton before washing esp if I've had anything other than water in them. Tablets can be easily carried with you on holiday trips and bottles soaked overnight.
When I first started cycling I found I never caried a bottle in winter, but thinking/attitudes have changed and these days I would not venture out without a bottle. I certainly drink more these days.
If you only have space to carry one bottle, you can top it up, if you do use psp type supplements, this comes in "white" powder, which you can carry in small bags and add to bottles when you beg a top up of water at a cafe.
The tips about drinking before thirsty and ensuring urine is pale lemon are important to take note of.
Remember your performance suffers if you are dehydrated just as much as if you are short of other nutrients.
Perhaps not quite the answer you're looking for but a camelbak attached to the rear of the seat of a Trice recumbent is the ultimate in lazy drinking!
Trice Q 2007 in inky blue (Quackers)
Bacchetta Corsa 26 ATT (The Mad Weeble)
Cube SL Team Cross (Rubberduckzilla)
Homebaked tourer (The Duck's Dream)
MTB mongrel (Harold the Flying Sheep)
Bacchetta Corsa 26 ATT (The Mad Weeble)
Cube SL Team Cross (Rubberduckzilla)
Homebaked tourer (The Duck's Dream)
MTB mongrel (Harold the Flying Sheep)
I am very pleased to have asked you all about the importance of water. I am or have been very ignorant about using it, and its effects on long distance cycling. When you live in a place you know so well, you can afford to be very lazy with your self.
As a newie to going any further than the 5 miles I do to work, drinking water has simply not been a priority on any of my trips. I must admit that I am now getting pretty addicted to this cycling game, but Ive never done a long distance cycle during the summer, as I only got going with this fitness programme in Sept/Oct last year and its taken me this long to get any where near a reasonable level of fitness.
I think Ill give the camel packs a miss, and take up the suggestions made on here about water bottles fixed to the bike. (I had no idea they even came like this, but Beth my daughter did!).
I am very familiar with my cycle routes, and my fear for riding across in the UK is :getting lost, and not knowing where the loos are, (I have several nice public loos I use enroute - Im fussy where I pee!
)
My drink does contain orange, but not cordial, but orange juice (carton juice decanted into bottle, topped with H20). It is still transparant so not very strong. I do like lime cordial, but its only just got colour in it, so again very weak solutions used. Just cant drink real H20....
Lawrie9
Please be careful drinking from streams with out adding water purification tablets to the water first. Especially, if in Wales as happens on the Isle of Man where I live, sheep graze in a ferral sort of way. Be careful drinking unclean stream water, as this can be a source of liver fluke. You wont know you have it until you become ill, and its not good news. It is spread by infected sheep. You also run the risk of getting Weil's disease from infected rats, which is also very bad news for your liver. (sorry but my microbiology head is on here, cant help my job some times....
)
I use milton myself to clean water bottles, currently I only use 'recycled shop bought ones'. I am amazed how much info I have gleaned for my new passion from this board.
Many thanks all for your replies, I have taken a lot on board and will be making a few changes in what I carry. Especially as the days are finally lengthening and my training can go up a peg or two very soon.
2 years ago, I walked the Parish Walk here on the island, and my friends and I made up an isotonic beverage. It contained orange juice, topped with H20 and salt, but I cannot remember the ratio anymore.
Can you remember the ratio Mick? I got used to this very quickly, and rather liked it.
eileithyia, I might take you up on this, we do have a cycle shop (private one, not a name you would of heard of), Ill see if they can set me up with one to fit the Sirrus. If not, I'll pm you for the clips. (many thanks for this.)
Mary[/quote]
As a newie to going any further than the 5 miles I do to work, drinking water has simply not been a priority on any of my trips. I must admit that I am now getting pretty addicted to this cycling game, but Ive never done a long distance cycle during the summer, as I only got going with this fitness programme in Sept/Oct last year and its taken me this long to get any where near a reasonable level of fitness.
I think Ill give the camel packs a miss, and take up the suggestions made on here about water bottles fixed to the bike. (I had no idea they even came like this, but Beth my daughter did!).
I am very familiar with my cycle routes, and my fear for riding across in the UK is :getting lost, and not knowing where the loos are, (I have several nice public loos I use enroute - Im fussy where I pee!
)
My drink does contain orange, but not cordial, but orange juice (carton juice decanted into bottle, topped with H20). It is still transparant so not very strong. I do like lime cordial, but its only just got colour in it, so again very weak solutions used. Just cant drink real H20....
Lawrie9
Where I live in Mid Wales you can just drink out of the streams if you are thirsty.
Please be careful drinking from streams with out adding water purification tablets to the water first. Especially, if in Wales as happens on the Isle of Man where I live, sheep graze in a ferral sort of way. Be careful drinking unclean stream water, as this can be a source of liver fluke. You wont know you have it until you become ill, and its not good news. It is spread by infected sheep. You also run the risk of getting Weil's disease from infected rats, which is also very bad news for your liver. (sorry but my microbiology head is on here, cant help my job some times....
)I use milton myself to clean water bottles, currently I only use 'recycled shop bought ones'. I am amazed how much info I have gleaned for my new passion from this board.
Many thanks all for your replies, I have taken a lot on board and will be making a few changes in what I carry. Especially as the days are finally lengthening and my training can go up a peg or two very soon.
2 years ago, I walked the Parish Walk here on the island, and my friends and I made up an isotonic beverage. It contained orange juice, topped with H20 and salt, but I cannot remember the ratio anymore.
I learned to my cost that water isn't enough. Salts and sugars help with the osmosis to get the liquids absorbed into the bloodstream much more quickly.
Water plus fruit-juice plus a sprinkle of salt works very well. Tastes funny, but the "isotonic" benefits work quickly and effectively.
Can you remember the ratio Mick? I got used to this very quickly, and rather liked it.
eileithyia, I might take you up on this, we do have a cycle shop (private one, not a name you would of heard of), Ill see if they can set me up with one to fit the Sirrus. If not, I'll pm you for the clips. (many thanks for this.
)Mary[/quote]
The ratio?
Basically, I used Robinson's Barley Water, and then later Orange Kia Ora. I diluted them as directed, and dropped a pinch or two of table salt into the bottle, then gave it a good shake. Water was mixed with sugars and minerals.
I remember hearing on the radio yonks back, that you can buy isotonic drinks, but you can make your own far more cheaply. It just took me a bit of confidence to try it! But it works!
Water doesn't get absorbed easily at all. Water, mixed with something is able to get through the stomach wall easier then water by itself. Much like the fact that neat gins don't get you drunk quickly, but a gins and tonics will.
Basically, I used Robinson's Barley Water, and then later Orange Kia Ora. I diluted them as directed, and dropped a pinch or two of table salt into the bottle, then gave it a good shake. Water was mixed with sugars and minerals.
I remember hearing on the radio yonks back, that you can buy isotonic drinks, but you can make your own far more cheaply. It just took me a bit of confidence to try it! But it works!
Water doesn't get absorbed easily at all. Water, mixed with something is able to get through the stomach wall easier then water by itself. Much like the fact that neat gins don't get you drunk quickly, but a gins and tonics will.
Mick F. Cornwall