Mountain Biking - How much water to bring?

How many ounces of water do you guys recommend to bring on a 20 mile ride? Thanks!

I apologize for the mysterious duplicate post. That was a bit strange. :rolleyes:

water bottles or bladder?

I currently bring water bottles. However, if you guys think I need a hydration pack instead to carry more water then I'll try and get one. I'm a starving college student and I really don't want to spend the money on a hydration pack. It seems like only a luxury. But you guys are experts so I'll listen to some suggestions. Thanks all.

Hey, if you search the sales and clearances, you can get a pack for cheap. I have a 100oz bladder (Camelbak Unbottle) I hike with that I got for $22, and I've seen 70oz hydrapak backpacks go for under $20.


That's the price of a plasma donation!

Hey, if you search the sales and clearances, you can get a pack for cheap. I have a 100oz bladder (Camelbak Unbottle) I hike with that I got for $22, and I've seen 70oz hydrapak backpacks go for under $20.

Really? Where?

I currently bring water bottles. However, if you guys think I need a hydration pack instead to carry more water then I'll try and get one. I'm a starving college student and I really don't want to spend the money on a hydration pack. It seems like only a luxury. But you guys are experts so I'll listen to some suggestions. Thanks all.

Okay, there was very faulty reasoning behind this post. I apologize. It’s been a long day so maybe I'm not thinking straight. This thread has nothing to do with water bottles or hydration packs. My question was how many ounces of water to bring on a 20 mile ride? I'm not sure how I directed myself into this weird tangent of hydration packs and water bottles. Either way, it's water (whether it's in a bottle or pack) and just wanted to get an idea of how much you guys bring on a long ride. Thanks everyone for the help. Good night.

Really? Where?

Dick's Sporting Goods. They never seem to advertise the really good sales, I found that one by rummaging through the camelbak aisle on a whim.

I usually think about a bottle every 10 miles, or a liter every 10 if it's hot out. 70oz bladder would do ya, or 3ish water bottles, depending on the size of your bottle. I actually don't know in terms of bottles, my mtb has one cage mount that is completely useless, so a bladder is my only real option

How much water? It depends on the heat, humidity, terrain and how hard you want to work.
Plugging up desert mountain trails in an Arizona summer will use more water than rolling along some gentle trails in a New England spring.
A good rule of thumb is 1l/hr. A 20 mile ride shopuld take no more than 2 hrs. If you chug down some water before you leave you could do it on 1 large waterbottle but take a 2nd std size one on your first ride. Better to have too much than too little.

I just duct tape a dixie cup to the stem and get water from creeks and muddy spots.

I usually plan on 1 liter per hour i'll be out...the big thing is to drink before you get thirsty.

For my local ride here in N Florida (18 miles) I take along 2 liters in the cooler months and 3 for the summer ones. The water is always laced with electrolyte -- Gookinaid Hydralyte at about 1.5 tablespoon per liter. In the Georgia mountains, it depends on the ride and temperature, but it's rarely less than 2 liters.

In Moab, I've carred close to 5 on longer rides. Some was emergency water in case I got lost.

Al

I'm in the same boat as you, monetarily at least. http://pricepoint.com/detail/14269-130_SETFP5-2-Accessories-171-Hydration/Sette-Flopak-Hydration-System.htm
It's $20 for a 100oz pack. This is a great deal and mine has lasted very well through heavy riding. The price does not signify poor quality.

I just duct tape a dixie cup to the stem and get water from creeks and muddy spots.
What do you know about dixie cups?

I'm in the same boat as you, monetarily at least. http://pricepoint.com/detail/14269-130_SETFP5-2-Accessories-171-Hydration/Sette-Flopak-Hydration-System.htm
It's $20 for a 100oz pack. This is a great deal and mine has lasted very well through heavy riding. The price does not signify poor quality.
:beer:

I have an 18 mile ride that requires a minimum of 70 ozs, more if very hot.

If it's hot outside then I'd take 2-3L, but then again I'm a thirsty mofo and run out of water quickly. ;)

Okay, there was very faulty reasoning behind this post. I apologize. It’s been a long day so maybe I'm not thinking straight. This thread has nothing to do with water bottles or hydration packs. My question was how many ounces of water to bring on a 20 mile ride? I'm not sure how I directed myself into this weird tangent of hydration packs and water bottles. Either way, it's water (whether it's in a bottle or pack) and just wanted to get an idea of how much you guys bring on a long ride. Thanks everyone for the help. Good night.

How much? More then you need;) Having ridden mountain bikes since before Camelbaks were just a gleam in their inventor's eye, I can tell you that you do not want to run out of water! 'Black tonguing' the last 5, 8, 10 or 15 miles of a long ride (and 20 miles ain't that long) is not something you want to experience! And drinking untreated or unfiltered water from a stream - even a very high altitude stream - is a gift that just keeps on giving. Or at least a gift that keeps on going:o

I carry a 100 oz Camelbak now wherever I go. It's enough for around 4 hours of ride time (that's actual ride time, not counting the standing around bits). If I'm going further out, I take a water filter and/or I put water bottles on the bike.

"The minute I meet one of you Texas waddies that didn't drink water out of a muddy hoof print, I'll shake his hand and give him a Daniel Webster cigar."

Rooster Cogburn, US Marshall

Thanks for all the advice everyone! It has been very helpful.

Id bring as much as you can comfortably bring. I have 2 25 ounce water bottles and a 100oz bladder for every ride. Just use common sense and bring plenty so you wont become dehydrated. If the sun is out you will guzzle that like crazy.

It's $20 for a 100oz pack. This is a great deal and mine has lasted very well through heavy riding. The price does not signify poor quality.

I agree with the price comment. However, I have a small 100 oz Camelbak which doesn't have wide enough or padded enough shoulder straps to carry 100 oz plus tools, pump, etc. It was too uncomfortable for longer rides. I've done a lot of week-long backpacking so I'm used to packs.

I went to the Camelbak Hawg which is a relatively big/expensive pack just for the comfortable straps.

Al

What do you know about dixie cups?

Do I know you?? Have you ever been found wandering in Pisgah?
:D I am well versed in dixie cups.

I just fill up my Camelbak and go. I think it only holds 1.5 litres though.

I have a ride that is 40 miles, no water available for the first 35 miles. Lower elevation of Arizona. (500 to 3000' elevation) Very hilly, have taken the 100 oz bladder full and two 33 oz bottles, and when in the 90's will go through all of it. You can't have too much water in these parts.

1L per hr?