Training & Nutrition - Just curious regarding pre and post ride weights

Last Saturday I went out on a recreation ride up in the mountains.
Stats:

Miles: 53
Climbing: 6250 feet
Temperature: 60F-90F

Before I set out on the ride I weighed myself and did the same afterwards.
Before: 167
After: 163

I believe this is hydration related. It was my understanding that one should strive to maintain the same weight pre and post ride through hydration and eating. Is this even possible? I always drop a pound or two and regain it after I rehydrate and eat. Does this cause negative issues with a rider's body while training?
That and the only way I can think of carrying more liquids would involve using a camelbak.

Hydration: 40 oz HEED
Food: figs and cherries

Thanks

Yeah, it's water weight I'd guess. For 53 miles and that much climbing (and some warm temperatures), I'd bring a second bottle along.

A second bottle? You folks might be severly under-hydrated per Ryan's new book. I typically drink 3+ liters mountain biking 2-hours in the summer. Same for a metric century in a relitively flat area.

I don't like a hydration pack for road as it makes me feel hotter and restricted. I built up road bike with a frame that had rear-rack attachment points. So I carry a bunch more back there

Al

Yeah, it's water weight I'd guess. For 53 miles and that much climbing (and some warm temperatures), I'd bring a second bottle along.


I did and this still occurs. I suppose I could either plan routes with a gas station to refuel, add a camelbak, or add one of those bottle carriers behind the seat (whatever they are called).

I carry 2 bottles and just stop at gas stations, parks, whatever to refill. Don't try to make your weight come out even post-ride by eating on the ride, just drink a lot, eat enough, and refuel/hydrate when you are done. You can't call that number on the scale when you step out of your chamois 'weight loss', though. that's water.

I figured that out after last year. :p
I'm 158 lbs! Oh wait.... nevermind.

Each Sunday morning I hit the scale. It is a very consistent method to track my current round of fat reduction. Trying to improve how I climb.

4 lbs is about the limit of comfort for me for pre/post weights. Anything more than that and I know I felt it on the bike. I think it would be impossible for some of us to not lose weight during the ride in water weight. I sweat like crazy (more than the average guy) and drink up to 2 water bottles an hour in the current heat/humidity. I still come home lighter than I left by 2-4 pounds depending on the length of ride.

I believe I have lost 6 lbs in a ride and felt completely wasted. 4 lbs not so much. However, I passed a gas station halfway and in retrospect should have been out of water. Next time I will drink more and refuel.
I actually felt wonderful at the end of that ride.

I consumed 6.5 liters of fluids and lots of snacks on a century 2.5 weeks ago: my pre- and post-ride weights were identical. Last Saturday, I lost two pounds on a 50 mile ride, only consuming about 2 liters along the way, eating very little. I dropped about three pounds on the ride. My energy level during the century was MUCH higher. Hydration is key!