Running out of water...

[gopherhockey]

Another small road issue I have is that I run out of water. Especially on these 90 degree days combined with longer rides. Mountain biking was easy, I'd always have a hydro pack and if needed could just stop between laps to re-fuel. Now I'm on my own well away from civilization sometimes.

I normally carry 2 larger bottles, but i'm thinking of trying to find larger ones. I try carry a few smaller ones in my jersey pockets - but I don't really want to wear a pack on the road.

I have scoped out a few places along some of my regular routes that have well water available which helps.

Now I'm tempted to go out and place water jugs along the route ahead of time.

Its actually holding me back from doing longer rides right now. Its the worst when I'm against the wind and its hot out - my mouth dries out fast and the water just seems to go down way too fast.

[nigel]

I usually carry a 21 and a 24 with me, if i have to stop and refill i do so wherever i can, even been known to ask people watering their lawns if im really in need. Good routes with refill stops are a good idea, looks like ya have that one down. Ive seen quite a few folks with camelbacks on the really hot days, nothing wrong with that if it keeps ya hydrated and riding.

D

Hey when we riding anyways?

[noise_is_life]

I agree why wouldn't you just wear camelbak, fashion?

I always where mine on the road.

[gopherhockey]

Feel, not fashion. (the spandex already blows the whole fashion thing, so anything else is moot ;-)

I don't like the heavy feel on my back, especially if I'm crouched down trying to stay out of the wind. It also tends to help aggrivate a back problem I already have. I notice things different when road riding - like even my jersey annoys me because its looser fitting and flaps around and even rubs my skin in places. Can't explain it, its just a whole different feel I guess even though my legs are doing the same general motions.

I tolerate it mountain biking because wind isn't so much of an issue, and I don't tend to feel it the same. I never use bottles on my mtb, always a hydro. (I don't do that for fashion either...) ;)

I must say having ridden road without the pack I might second guess my mtb decision as well... or try a few different packs out. I feel like I have a lot more energy without it.

Its probably in my head, but I tend to want the least amount of weight possible when I'm on the road as well. If it lets me ride a few miles more... :p

I agree why wouldn't you just wear camelbak, fashion?

I always where mine on the road.

[noise_is_life]

You could always get some tri bottle cages for the back of your seat.

[gordanfreeman]

Its probably in my head, but I tend to want the least amount of weight possible when I'm on the road as well. If it lets me ride a few miles more... :p to be fair i would guess that when you are toting around as much liquid as it sounds you need, the few extra ounces you gain from a simple hyrdo pack would probably be negligible.

[noise_is_life]

Feel, not fashion. (the spandex already blows the whole fashion thing, so anything else is mute ;-)


Roadie fashion is all about the spandex...and that's moot...:D

...like even my jersey annoys me because its looser fitting and flaps around and even rubs my skin in places.

Mmmm, bloody nipples...

[nigel]

Oh C'mon John, Spandex is the RoXxErS!!!! I dont know how people can ride in baggy shorts, they always used to get caught on my saddle when i stood up when wearing them. I got a pair for town rides but they bug the hell out of me!

[robc]

The good thing about the camelbak is : the more tired you are, the lighter the pack gets :) Although I wish they would come up with a guage to let you know how much is left. I hate rationing water on the really hor days to find out when I am done I have half a pack left I coulda drunk.

John, maybe you need to look into the new tech NASA is working on to filter your urine into fresh, clean, delicious drinking water. Mmmmm, fitered urine.

[jitterjepp]

John, maybe you need to look into the new tech NASA is working on to filter your urine into fresh, clean, delicious drinking water. Mmmmm, fitered urine.
Actually there already are hiking water filters that get you clean water from a cesspool.

[robc]

Well then, I guess I need to change my closing sentence to : Mmmmm, filtered cesspool. Actually that sounds just as nasty...

[soupboy]

As Pat said, try the seatpost mounted variety for 1-2 extra bottles.
If you have two mounts inside your front triangle you could also have the underside of the DT tapped for an add'l mount.
I've seen tri aero bars with mounts to hold larger "trainer" water bottles with big flexi straws.
Buy a smaller, more streamlined, and/or lower-riding hydro pack that will give you more carrying capacity but not feel weird or uncomfortable.
As for you chafed nips just apply a dollop of Vaseline or Bodyglide pre ride and your nips will stay baby soft...:scream:

[SpecHR55]

I did a few days in the RAGBRAI with a camelbak and I loved it!

[gopherhockey]

I did find a smaller hydro today at Penn that looked much better than those I have seen before. it was a nice BRIGHT yellow too, probably giving some visibility. (and bringing on even more Lance yells from redneck pickup windows) I may try that.

Thanks for all the suggestions. The NASA thing sounds interesting. The vaseline I will try! (and good to know I'm not the only one that has that prob... whew!)

[jitterjepp]

I did find a smaller hydro today at Penn that looked much better than those I have seen before. it was a nice BRIGHT yellow too, probably giving some visibility. (and bringing on even more Lance yells from redneck pickup windows) I may try that.

Thanks for all the suggestions. The NASA thing sounds interesting. The vaseline I will try! (and good to know I'm not the only one that has that prob... whew!)
I saw a few guys at Grandmas Marathon this year with some serious problems. They had blood running down thier shirts from that area and it looked like thier shirts were dried and stuck on the area.

[h2oskierc]

I did find a smaller hydro today at Penn that looked much better than those I have seen before. it was a nice BRIGHT yellow too, probably giving some visibility. (and bringing on even more Lance yells from redneck pickup windows) I may try that.



Sounds like the one I have. I think it is designed for Roadies, but I use it off-road. I like it because it holds a good amount of water (2 Liters), and has enough room for a tube, tulti-tool, tire levers, cell phone, ID, cash, and even a pump (if my frame pump were smaller).

[SpecHR55]

I just bought a Orange High Sierra Pack at Costco that works great. Its closely related to a CamelBak M.U.L.E, but half the price!:D

[MTB4LIFE99]

M.U.L.E. 4 life

[Paul Swenson]

Fallen Officer's Zeal Will Roll On





By Del Quentin Wilber
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 12, 2005; Page B04


D.C. police officer James C. McBride was so excited about using a bicycle on patrol that he recently purchased a $500 mountain bike to practice the finer skills of balancing and racing down stairs after suspects.

With McBride's sudden death this week, his parents plan to donate the bike to the department so an eager officer can practice the same skills.

"He would have wanted it that way," said Kenneth J. McBride, the officer's father, who lives in Massachusetts.

The 25-year-old officer died Wednesday, a day after collapsing during bicycle training at the police academy in Southwest Washington. Doctors and police officials believe that McBride, a highly acclaimed officer who joined the force two years ago, died of hyponatremia, a sodium imbalance caused by drinking excessive amounts. Police are awaiting results of an autopsy.

McBride was taking a week-long course to prepare for bicycle patrols and may have had as much as three gallons of water during and after a 12-mile training ride. He later vomited, collapsed and suffered apparent seizures.

Police consider McBride to have died in the line of duty. He will receive full police honors during his funeral, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. tomorrow at All Souls Church, 2835 16th St. NW. McBride was engaged and lived in Northwest Washington.

McBride worked in the 1st District and concentrated his patrols in Sursum Corda, one of the city's most crime-ridden public housing complexes. He was recently named the district's rookie of the year for 2004.

"A lot of our officers are devastated," 1st District Cmdr. Thomas McGuire said. "He was a good officer. He was liked by his peers."

Ken McBride said his son wanted to use the bike to make more arrests and thwart drug dealers. "He wanted to cover more ground and make more cases," he said. "He was a man of action."

James McBride, known by family members as Craig, grew up in a strict home near Boston. He and his younger brother were not allowed to watch television during the week, and he became a voracious reader of history and politics, his father said.

"He couldn't walk through the house without a book," his father said. "He was always bumping into things."

McBride graduated from American University in 2002 with a degree in political science. During college, he had worked part time at the District's Emergency Management Agency. He eventually became a full-time staff employee.

He had admired the D.C. police officers he met through his job and began thinking about joining the force. Several close friends and family members had joined police departments, his father said.

His father, chief of staff for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, encouraged him to apply.

"He said, 'Dad, I don't want to be at an office the rest of my life,' " Ken McBride said. "He felt committed. He liked helping people."

Ken McBride said that if his son's death is confirmed as a case of hyponatremia, he plans to seek out the family of a Boston Marathon runner who died of the condition in 2002. "Maybe between the two of us we can do something" about the problem, he said.