Fifty Plus (50+) - Biking with a hydration pack

I did a search of this sub-forum and was surprised not to see a thread with this topic so here it is.
I got back from vacation last night to find my new Hydration pack had arrived. I was always leery of wearing one of these contraptions but since I also always struggle when I do a club ride to get a sip in I thought I would give it a try. They had an awesome sale on these so how could I loose for $20 and no shipping? I started off my ride in the AM today - since it was chilly I wore my gortex shell. After about 6 miles I took the shell off as both the day and I were warming up. I now had a place to store it - did not have to tie it around my waist. +1 for the pack. As I rode all I had to do was pull the tube off its magnetic latch and I had water, no head tilting back, no struggling to put the bottle away - it was easy and I could keep my mind on peddling and I had both hands on the bars and no sense of getting off balance. I thought it would make my back sweaty, it did not, but it was a cool day. I thought the straps would bother me and restrict my breathing, there was a little bit of that but the benefits out weighed this. I did sound like a washing machine when I got out of the saddle and climbed the hills. Since I don't drink power drinks when I ride - just water, I do not anticipate a cleaning problem. I bought a 2L version and on my 30-mile ride today I only consumed about 1/2. Over the years I have bounced about 4 bottles out of the cages, one I cut in half as it landed in my spokes (those Mavic wheels are tough). I can't believe I waited this long.

Almost all the trail riders use a pac when it's warm or hot out. I'm seeing more and more of them on road bikers for the reasons you listed. We've all seen water bottles getting dropped during club rides and if you don't have a second bottle, it's either bail out to get the bottle or ride on and dehydrate.
It's pretty hard to lose a pak.
I only put water in my pak and put sports drink in a small bottle for longer rides.

I have a 2L camelback I used for commutes w/panniers and a hydration bladder ready (and installed) backpack for use wo/panniers when I have lunch and other things to carry. I'm too uncoordinated to use a water bottle while pedaling. I also sweat a lot and consume a lot of liquid.
The packs also carry my spare tube, pump, and tools. I rinse the packs out between uses and my motto is if you can't taste a difference it's best not to look for one.

I always ride with mine. Water stays pretty cool, too. I got the small Camelback Slipstream and haven't noticed any extra sweating caused by the pack. A big plus for me is the high vis green when on my road bike.

I have a couple of Camelbacks (one was a gift) and almost never use them, even though it's 95-105 around here most of the summer. I'll take one on a long ride when I'm not sure of a water source, but for ordinary riding, commuting and suburban stuff, I'd rather carry bottles and look for parks and 7-Elevens. I just never have gotten used to riding with a backpack. Besides, it's an excuse to stop for a minute...

I have a couple of Camelbacks (one was a gift) and almost never use them, even though it's 95-105 around here most of the summer. I'll take one on a long ride when I'm not sure of a water source, but for ordinary riding, commuting and suburban stuff, I'd rather carry bottles and look for parks and 7-Elevens. I just never have gotten used to riding with a backpack. Besides, it's an excuse to stop for a minute...

Even on ordinary riding- I find a Camelback far easier and safer to use. None of that slowing down for a drink and when the hill just goes on and on and up- I do not have to slow down or lose momentum. Only problem I find with it is that it does take a bit of getting used to. The back pack breathes so no sweating- After a while you do not notice the weight at all and after a while you get the tube in the right place so that it is a quick fummble to find and suck.

Nearly forgot- For cleaning it out and sterilising- I use the Baby Bottle Sterilizer tablets. Far cheaper that the proper tablets and easier to get.

I have a 3 liter Camelbak Mule that I use for mtn.bike riding. Hadn't been using it on the road bike, but now that our temps are getting cooler, will most likely start using it. Sure is easier than water bottles. Seems to be a big no-no around here to ride a road bike with a Camelbak, but then again, I'm using mtn.bike platform pedals, so it can only enhance my Fred status!

I use a 70 oz. camelback on most of my offroad rides because it is difficult or impossible to safely grab a bottle and drink while negotiating singletrack with rocks, roots, turns, trees, drops and climbs coming at me so often. It also allows me to carry enough water to get me through a ride.
I almost never use it on the road. I have no problem reaching down for a bottle, drinking and returning it while pedaling on the road. Might be different on a fast group ride with a tight pack, but I almost never do that kind of ride. On the rare ride where I go 20 miles or more without passing a store where I can get water or energy drink, I would consider wearing it. Otherwise, when 2 bottles will get me to the next stop, I would rather let the horse carry the load than to wear a backpack.
Nothing wrong with it if that is what you want to do, though. The only time I am ever bothered by people using camelbacks on road rides is on organized centuries when they delay the line at the rest stop filling that enormous bladder just to get them 12 miles down the road to the next stop. :fight:

In the club rides I have been on there are always 1 or 2 folks with a hydration pack, maybe 5%. The one I bought was a nalgene 2L, red to match the bike.
This may open a can of worms but ... One thing I learned from sailing though is that active weight is better than dead weight. Water bottles on the bike are dead weight, weight on me (the pack) is active. Biking is not sailing but I can swing my weight into action standing up out of the saddle or I can let it sit. Yes - I have to pull it up a hill no matter what but I suspect that a pound on my back is better than a pound sitting on the bike.
My plan is to use the pack this fall if I start out with a jacket or ride any significant distance. I will use it in the century next weekend but make sure I don't tie up the line filling it (good advice on that point). A 2L load should last me 45 miles.

I'm not as concerned about active vs. passive weight as with weight my back is supporting or not. Not a big thing on a 1 or 2 hour MTB ride, but on a 7 hour century it might be.
But the thing that really struck me about the OP was that you needed to wear a jacket today :eek:. That is a hard concept to grasp. Must be nice. :)

In the recumbent world, hydration packs must be more common than in the roadie world. I have a Carbon Fastback, which is a hydration pack meant to mount on the non-drive side of a carbon shell seat. It holds 100 ounces, or more often fewer ounces but with tools, pump, etc. Many recumbent manufacturers sell custom seat bags, and almost all of them contain a pocket for a hydration bladder. I wouldn't do a century without one!

A Camelbak plus a bottle or two is all you need for a whole century ride. It's worth the weight. You might not want the Camelbak on every ride but for the long ones it pays for itself. I can't do it now yet because I've only been riding for 2 months after not doing anything athletic for 12 years but when I did, I had a string of 4- to 4.5-hour centuries with a Camelbak. I don't know what the capacity was in those days. It might have been something like 2L or maybe less, but having it there was so important. I bought one when I started up again this year.

-soma5

I started using a CamelBak about three months ago and it quickly achieved 'gotta-take-on-every-ride' status. I dreaded the idea of keeping it clean but quickly slipped into the discipline. There's just enough pack space to handle a jacket and valuables. Good gear.

In the recumbent world, hydration packs must be more common than in the roadie world. I have a Carbon Fastback, which is a hydration pack meant to mount on the non-drive side of a carbon shell seat. It holds 100 ounces, or more often fewer ounces but with tools, pump, etc. Many recumbent manufacturers sell custom seat bags, and almost all of them contain a pocket for a hydration bladder. I wouldn't do a century without one!

Good to hear. As I go on longer trips on my Bacchetta, I'm coming to find times when I don't want to stop but I am thirsty. I haven't found a good location for a water bottle holder and am beginning to think about a hydration pack.

One thing I noticed is I'm more likely to drink more when I have my pack on. It's just much easier to grab the tube and sip. If other roadies don't like me because of the hydration pack...........I'll get another. ;) Besides, I usually ride alone. Maybe that's why. :eek:

But the thing that really struck me about the OP was that you needed to wear a jacket today That is a hard concept to grasp. Must be nice.

The down side is that the sun was not quite up today when I went out for my morning ride at 6AM.
I must report - no pack this AM, just 1/2 a bottle which I did not drink from. It was a fast 15 miles. Tomorrow morning may be as low as 40F - burr.

If other roadies don't like me because of the hydration pack...........I'll get another. ;) Besides, I usually ride alone. Maybe that's why. :eek:

This is by no means a scientific sampling, but I would estimate that I have seen 20 paranoid posts by people who use hydration packs on the road for every one post by a roadie criticizing them for doing it. :p

I use mine on any ride more than 40 miles long.

I used a Blue Wave by Camelback (cheap & simple) for the first time during our recent godawful hot/humid almost-record-setting Hoosier August. Hung it on the back of my 'bent seat, filled with ice and water. Very nice.
Likely will only use it for nasty hot weather and long rides without certain water stops.

I have several CamelBacks that I use for mountain biking and hiking. But, for road riding, I've found that I really don't like having the weight on my back. Plus, they make it far too easy to carry too much cr*p.

Two smallish water bottles (24 oz) are enough for most any rides I do...even all day rides. It's not hard to find stores, campgrounds, etc. for a quick refill.

And, if you like to drink sports drink (I do), water bottles are a whole lot easier to keep clean and germ free.

"I did sound like a washing machine when I got out of the saddle and climbed the hills"

Remove all the air through the drinking tube and there is no washing machine sounds. Just silence.

Also add ice for several hours of cold water.

Oh, and there's another hydration pack advantage for those of us who do hiking and backpacking. I notice that almost all the newer daypacks and backpacks have a self-healing aperture out the top to accomodate the sip-tube. I recently used the bladder in a backpack on an end-to-end Assateague Island walk.

BTW, anyone else get "Dune" stillsuit flashbacks when they take a hit off the catch-tube? I seem to channel Gurney Halleck's spirit every time and look over my shoulder for Wormsign [SUVs] and Harkonnens [ridiculously lifted pickups]. Gurney was truly bad news for bad guys. Still in love with Lady Jessica after all these years, tho' I believe my wife has mastered "the voice".

I use my Camelback while road riding quite a lot and find it very useful. During this recent super-hot week here in SoCal I've been packing in as much ice as I can, then filling the spaces between the cubes with cold water.

So, the iced-Camelback plus a frozen Polar bottle, plus a frozen normal bottle keeps me on the road for four or five hours without having to stop. I also use the Camelback on CA Double Centuries, where checkpoints can be 35 - 40 miles apart (about the same distance as controls on brevets), and even two large bottles aren't quite enough on a really hot day.

Of course (as noted above), I always use it when I ride my mountain bike!

Rick / OCRR

I tend to use my Camelback in the winter months when my water bottles would freeze up on longer rides. With the camelback under several other layers, I can without fear of water turning to ice. This reminds me - I hate winter.

I got one last year and really only use it for longer rides. It's too much to fuss with if I'm doing 10-12 miles. Example: One time I was filling it at the sink and hadn't quite properly attached the tube where it connects to the bottom of the water bag, and whoa! All of a sudden I look down and there's about a quart and a half of water spreading over the countertop and off on the floor....:eek:

I'm strictly a roadie & always use my Camelbak (100oz classic model) for anything over 10-15 miles, which means virtually always (doesn't mean I always fill it all the way). My back gets a little sweaty, but that doesn't bother me. I find it much easier to drink out of a camelbak than a bottle. It also keeps the drink much cooler than a bottle. Not to mention that I'd need multiple bottles to duplicate the capacity. The classic has limited xtra storage, but enough for a cell phone & wallet. It does have some elastic a jacket could be stored in also.

I typically carry dilute gatorade in mine. I just rinse it in hot water when I'm done & hang it on one of those hangers that keep the bladder open to air; takes a few minutes. No taste or smell issues here.

Dan

Whether you use them strictly off-road, on long road rides only, or if you sleep with them, you can save a few bucks on one today at Nashbar.

Camelbak (100oz classic model)
Dan

Here it is. $10 less tha what I paid. Good deal & well worth it!

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000125&subcategory=60001088&brand=&sku=21929&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Hydration%20Systems

This is by no means a scientific sampling, but I would estimate that I have seen 20 paranoid posts by people who use hydration packs on the road for every one post by a roadie criticizing them for doing it. :p

I wasn't being paranoid. Just.............;) and :eek: :D:D

I wasn't being paranoid. Just.............;) and :eek: :D:D

What makes you think I was talking about you? ;)

I love my Camelbak (http://www.linuxha.com/other/non-ha/bicycle/ventoux.html), I've been riding with one since they first came out. I now have a Ventoux which is usually packed with tons of junk (with a full bladder it weighed in at about 25lbs). On event rides I empty it out (about 9 lbs). I do lots of long rides with 30 miles between stops. I run with a Gatorade mix and on my normal centuries (usually every weekend) I fill the bladder twice (plus the initial fill). Quite a few of the 'faster riders' hate riding with me (I lead one of the 17-18 mph groups) as I don't think they like the fact that some guy with a 25lb Camelbak hangs on the front for most of the ride. ;-) The fast riders tell me I ride heavy. They've never complained when I pull out whatever tool we need for most bike repairs.

It doesn't matter to me what someone uses. If it works for them...everyone wins.

Bottles are simple and have worked well for me, so I've never felt the need to use anything else.

On group rides I have heard folks complaining about how much their saddle is hurting their butt. I sometimes wonder if carrying 5 pounds of water on their back has anything to do with it.

I use them on longer rides and on really hot humid days. I do tend to drink more when I am wearing one, which is a good thing. For longer rides I'll carry 2 bottles of energy drink and fill the hydration pack with water. FWIW it is not necessary to fill the bladder completely and often do a partial fill for shorter rides.

O.T. for Louis...

http://www.bookforum.com/inprint/014_03/831

http://www.worldhum.com/books/item/we_dont_really_know_jack_20070905/

http://newcriterion.com:81/archives/26/09/another-side-of-paradise

What makes you think I was talking about you? ;)

You quoted this:
Originally Posted by pdq 5oh
If other roadies don't like me because of the hydration pack...........I'll get another. Besides, I usually ride alone. Maybe that's why.

Am I just being paranoid? :D:D

O.T. for Louis...

http://www.bookforum.com/inprint/014_03/831

http://www.worldhum.com/books/item/we_dont_really_know_jack_20070905/

http://newcriterion.com:81/archives/26/09/another-side-of-paradise

Thanks BP. Although the last link seems to be a dead link, the others were very interesting.:beer:

You quoted this:
Originally Posted by pdq 5oh
If other roadies don't like me because of the hydration pack...........I'll get another. Besides, I usually ride alone. Maybe that's why.

Am I just being paranoid? :D:D

Well, yeah, I was talking to you, but you thought I was talking about you? Hmmmm. ;)

I only use my Camelback for long hot rides. I think there is no better way to carry a lot of water. Here in Montana water stops can be quite far apart, and not always open.

Well, yeah, I was talking to you, but you thought I was talking about you? Hmmmm. ;)

Glad to see I wasn't being paranoid. ;):o:D

Got mine from the Marine Corp. Works good, all the weight does is give me strength. I know on long group rides, i have come close to problems when someone decides to grab a bottle and wanders all over the lane-in any case, as the man said, use what works for you, get good at it, and we all win.

Semper Fi

Well I used the new pack on yesterdays century ride. It was a very hot and humid day for up here. I drank over 6L of fluid and still was over heated and dehydrated at the end. I found the pack to be quite nice, I did not tie up the line for refills any more than anybody filling two water bottles. I only wish I had consumed even more fluids. The pack seemed comfortable although I did get some low back pain from time to time - but I have had that without the pack as well.

I had also planned on taking an extra bike bottle for a sports drink but forgot to put one in the car before I left so I did not have any of that along the way - because of how much liquid I was sweating out I could have used that for the electrolights, I did not want to put a mix in the bladder of the pack.

I rode this ride with a group, we averaged 16.5mph. This was best avg yet for a century so I was quite pleased.

Here are the stats on the ride
http://home.nycap.rr.com/dwsexton/century.GIF

These would not be for me. I hate the added weight of my water bottles, and usually only fill them half way or ride with them completely empty. Like another post I read here, generally, although I will ride long distances, I'm not so far into the hinterlands that I won't come across a convenience store often enough to keep myself hydrated.

I am also a big advocate of and in the practice of "salting-up" on hot days. I will ingest a couple of teaspoons of salt - gulp it down and chase it with a little orange juice of some cold water. It's a gag to get down, but, once ingested, I can literally ride for hours in comfort without the need for as much liquid intake. I ride lighter as a result, and my muscles seem to recover more quickly and I feel much less fatigued.

If you only put water in your bottles or packs, and, if you have no other means of replacing salts (electrolytes) lost as a result of perspiration, drinking water will not really help you much.

Caruso