Road Cycling - Cold Water

I was wondering if anyone has any tips to keeping the water in water bottles cold during long rides?

I was wondering if anyone has any tips to keeping the water in water bottles cold during long rides?


http://www.polarbottle.com/

Try a polar bottle, it does keep my water or drink colder alot longer then a standard bottle and I live in Phoenix Az. It gets to 100+ temps very early in the day here.

I have also tried freezing a bottle before a ride but it is still warm after just an hour.

The only other tip I can share is to plan your rides so that you go by a store somewhere mid way or late in the ride where you can buy a cold bottle of something that will fit in a water bottle cage.

Freeze it solid in the bottle. Then it will slowly melt over several hours, even in warm weather. The point is, as it slowly melts you can take a drink as you need it, and the remaining block of ice will keep it plenty cold.

Patriot

I was wondering if anyone has any tips to keeping the water in water bottles cold during long rides?

g'day,

as per the previous post, try freezing the bottle the night before (don't fill it right to the top). In the morning, a couple of layers of 'Alfoil', (dunna what its called in the states, but that aluminium foil wrap stuff), around the bottle will help maintain the temperature awhile longer,

cheers,

Hitchy

I was wondering if anyone has any tips to keeping the water in water bottles cold during long rides?

I saw a cover somewhere that fits a standard bottle; basically you wet the cover, which is fabric, and then as you cycle along the evaporation of water from the cover keeps the liquid inside the bottle cool. Sorry but I can't remember what it's called.

I've heard of people putting a wet sock around their bottle. I don't think it do much for too long.

I saw a cover somewhere that fits a standard bottle; basically you wet the cover, which is fabric, and then as you cycle along the evaporation of water from the cover keeps the liquid inside the bottle cool. Sorry but I can't remember what it's called.

That's the Maxchill bottle I believe.
http://www.maxchill.com/Home.html

Put ice cubes in the Polar water bottle.
Put ice cubes in the Camelbak.
Works every time.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips to keeping the water in water bottles cold during long rides?

I have no tips, but (I know this is a personal thing) I don't care if my water is cold or bath warm - it still does this same thing. Actually I find I drink more water if it is warm - it goes down easier. Cold water may feel nice, but I don't believe it is that important. I live in Phoenix area and drink warm to very warm water all the time. I want a bottle that holds as much as possible with no extra space given up for insulation, etc.

Al

I have no tips, but (I know this is a personal thing) I don't care if my water is cold or bath warm - it still does this same thing. Actually I find I drink more water if it is warm - it goes down easier. Cold water may feel nice, but I don't believe it is that important. I live in Phoenix area and drink warm to very warm water all the time. I want a bottle that holds as much as possible with no extra space given up for insulation, etc.

Al

Just as a clarification. I've heard that cold water gets into body better and helps cool ones core temp, but my point is that it is not as important (to me) as getting quantity of water throughout the ride, which for me is easier if it is not ice cold and in the largest capacity bottle as possible.

Al

try wrapping the bottle in tin foil

I also use the Polar bottles. Large holds CytoMax; Medium holds water. I place both in the fridge overnight (if possible) as I believe this prolongs the "coldness" the next day. I've also put ice cubes in the water; I'm not certain about putting ice cubes into the Cytomax bottle cause that means I'm drinking a "stronger" solution until all the ice melts (no, I don't make Cyto ice cubes).

I also try to get cold water (gas station mini mart) during the ride, top off both bottles, mix the Large one with Cyto powder that I bring with me. Even on a hot day (90+) this will stay cool for over an hour easily.

Best.

That's the Maxchill bottle I believe.
http://www.maxchill.com/Home.html


I am going to go to REI and get one of those maxchill bottles to try.

I am one that just does not like warm water or sports drink. For me it has to be cold.

> going to go to REI and get one of those maxchill bottles

I was at REI the past weekend and saw this Zefal insulated bottle. Don't use it so I can't comment on its effectiveness, but it did look good:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=2318&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC

Best.

I ordered a Polar Bottle and MaxChill from Performance today. Will try both out and see which works better. :)

I was wondering if anyone has any tips to keeping the water in water bottles cold during long rides?I take 4 or 5 bottles - each one letter. The day before a big ride, I fill and freeze all but 2 of the bottles solid. The last 2 I fill half way and freeze, then fill them the rest of the way on the morning of the ride. These two become my first 2 bottles.

I have little panniers on my bike that I use to hold spare clothes in the spring and fall. During the hot weather I put one or 2 bottles in each balaclava and put them in my panniers. When I did this last weekend, I still had ice floating in my last bottle after 5 hours.

Just as a clarification. I've heard that cold water gets into body better and helps cool ones core temp,
Al

hmmm..no. Regardless of entry temp, it will be close to 37C within seconds. You don't want to trick your body into thinking you're at a lower temp than you are.

hmmm..no. Regardless of entry temp, it will be close to 37C within seconds. You don't want to trick your body into thinking you're at a lower temp than you are.

Again, I only heard, perhaps from a non-reliable source. OK, on a whim I just did a google search, which one source I quickly found sort of confirms what I heard... http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1452.html but this doesn't take into all factors (like fooling your body that it is cooler than it really is). I also haven't seen the supporting papers for the above. I would think (for non-medical situations) quantity of water is far more important that how quick it is absorbed - if one takes sips thoughout excersise, quickness of absorbtion does not matter.

As I wrote previously I personally much prefer warm water while excercising (cold is great afterward) mainly because I drink more of it and can drink it quicker.

Also I'd rather carry two non-insulated 28oz bottles than three 18oz insulated bottles. The insulation takes up space that could be water capacity.

Al

Also I'd rather carry two non-insulated 28oz bottles than three 18oz insulated bottles. The insulation takes up space that could be water capacity.

Al


I can understand that, but both of my insulated bottles are 24 oz and with pleny of gas stations around I can buy a refill of cold. Or drink it warm at that point but I really prefer cold

It's been a very well known fact that drinking cold liquids in hot weather does lower the core temperture enough so that the risk of overheating is greatly reduced.

But as far as keeping liquid cold I found what works the best by living in the Mojave desert region of CA with temps over 100 degrees. I use 2 (or 3 depending on ride, plus a Camelback Rogue for even longer rides) Polar bottles. I prechill Gatorade the night before and fill the first to be used bottle with 1/2 ice then add the prechilled Gat. The second bottle to be used is fill with ice to the top and add the prechilled Gat. The third and last bottle to be drank is filled with Gatorade and frozen solid. If I take the Camelback I will fill it about 1/2 way with ice. The Camelback seems to remain cooler longer than the bottles except for the liquid in the tube.

Now if your drinking about 5 fluid ounces every 10 minutes, which is what I drink in that kind of heat, your first bottle will last about 45 minutes. For me this means I can go a max of 3 1/2 hours of riding time in 90 to 105 degree heat if I use all the liquid carry capacity I have. Make sure you prehydrate before you go out in high temps by downing about 24 ounces of fluid about an hour before you go.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips to keeping the water in water bottles cold during long rides?

I carry a Thermos bottle. Keeps drinks cold for 6-8 hours. Fill it up before a ride, add a few ice cubes, and I have an ice cold drink for the entire ride. SS insulated vacuum sports bottle (http://www.thermos.com/thermos/cfm/prodDetail.cfm?pg=1&id=683&z=z)

I carry a Thermos bottle. Keeps drinks cold for 6-8 hours. Fill it up before a ride, add a few ice cubes, and I have an ice cold drink for the entire ride. SS insulated vacuum sports bottle (http://www.thermos.com/thermos/cfm/prodDetail.cfm?pg=1&id=683&z=z)


Does that fit in a standard waterbottle cage?

I carry a Thermos bottle. Keeps drinks cold for 6-8 hours. Fill it up before a ride, add a few ice cubes, and I have an ice cold drink for the entire ride. SS insulated vacuum sports bottle (http://www.thermos.com/thermos/cfm/prodDetail.cfm?pg=1&id=683&z=z)

The right size for a water bottle holder is the 18 oz Sports Bottle.
Here are a few of this type bottle. (http://www.thermosonline.com/sports.htm)

Does that fit in a standard waterbottle cage?

If you want to use a larger bottle than the 18oz you might be interested in the adjustable Topeak cage. I use one for my Niterider battery and one for my Thermos 18 oz bottle. However, I have satisfactorily used a standard bike cage for both of these items and only recently acquired the Topeak as my other cages, plastic, had broken.

A search on Froogle for the Topeak cage yielded a few results.

Topeak Modula Cage (http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=topeak+cage)

A search on Froogle for the Topeak Modula Cage yielded a few results.

Topeak Modula Cage (http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Topeak+Modula+Cage&btnG=Search+Froogle)

Freeze it solid in the bottle. Then it will slowly melt over several hours, even in warm weather. The point is, as it slowly melts you can take a drink as you need it, and the remaining block of ice will keep it plenty cold.

Patriot


Doesn't work for me with the sport water bottles that most cyclists use. Whenever I freeze my water bottles they are melted within 20 minutes (it's hot humid NYC summer heat).

It does work with the Lexan plastic bottles that you find in most sporting goods stores though, I'd freeze those and the ice would still be solid about 6 hours later, that plastic is miraculous, it's not even insulated. The only thing is that my Lexan bottles are 34oz and don't fit in the water bottle cages.

Doesn't work for me with the sport water bottles that most cyclists use. Whenever I freeze my water bottles they are melted within 20 minutes (it's hot humid NYC summer heat).

It does work with the Lexan plastic bottles that you find in most sporting goods stores though, I'd freeze those and the ice would still be solid about 6 hours later, that plastic is miraculous, it's not even insulated. The only thing is that my Lexan bottles are 34oz and don't fit in the water bottle cages.


So far in Arizona I have been very happy with my 24oz polar bottle. 2 hour ride this morning with temps 90+ and climbimg and the Polar was still cold at the end. My other bottle was warm less then mid way through the ride

Well there goes wanting to be a weight wennie, Stainless steel thermos weight about 500 grams each-without the liquid, plus the 75grm cage. Then you can only carry 18oz's of fluid. No thanks, I don't need my liquid to be cold for 24 hours; what I need is the liquid to be cold for no more than 3 hours since I'm drinking about 5 ounces every 10 minutes using 3 24 ounce bottles. Freezing a bottle overnight takes care of that 3 hour span.

I carry a Thermos bottle. Keeps drinks cold for 6-8 hours. Fill it up before a ride, add a few ice cubes, and I have an ice cold drink for the entire ride. SS insulated vacuum sports bottle (http://www.thermos.com/thermos/cfm/prodDetail.cfm?pg=1&id=683&z=z)

I''m picking out a thermos for you!

I''m picking out a thermos for you!

bac, no offense meant. I'm sure that your water bottle is every bit as good as mine, maybe even better. No need to call anyone a jerk, especially over a bottle. You have every right to defend your bottle, and I'm sure its just great.

A follow up, I bought both the Polar bottle and the Max Chill from Performance. The polar bottle being the more expensive of the two - $11.99 if I remember correctly.

I tried the Polar out last nite on a 2 hr jaunt. I took it along as my secondary bottle and used a normal clear specialized bottle as the primary one. The Polar did indeed keep the water cooler than the plain bottle...but it was like tap water cold, not ice cold. I generally fill the bottles w/ about 1/3 ice after I mix the drink up. There wasn't any ice still remaining in the bottle after 2hrs.

I haven't used the MaxChill yet (will tonite if it stops raining) but so far I wasn't THAT impressed with the Polar bottle for the $$.

bac, no offense meant. I'm sure that your water bottle is every bit as good as mine, maybe even better. No need to call anyone a jerk, especially over a bottle. You have every right to defend your bottle, and I'm sure its just great.

Hey, sorry for the misunderstanding. Steve Martin, in the movie "The Jerk", sings a song about a thermos. "I'm picking out a thermos for you ......". Anywho, I wasn't calling anyone a jerk; however, after looking back @ my post, I can see how one would get that impression! :)

BTW, I use Polar water bottles with pretty good success, but I may try the thermos idea. Colder is better!

I haven't used the MaxChill yet (will tonite if it stops raining) but so far I wasn't THAT impressed with the Polar bottle for the $$.

Please let us know what you find out regarding the MaxChill. ThanX! :)

Please let us know what you find out regarding the MaxChill. ThanX! :)

Will do. The MaxChill has a insulated sleeve around it that you are supposed to soak under the faucet before riding (and after filling) and supposedly the evaporation of the soaked sleeve keeps the bottle cool. Interesting concept, we'll see if it works.

And FWIW, the Polar bottle definitely does work better than any of my other bottles...just not as cold as I had hoped, and compared to $3.00-$5.00 bottles (can be had at hammergel.com) it's a bit pricey.

Also, none of these compare to my camelbak which I take and still has ice in it after the ride...nice cold water and keeps my back cool too! :)

> going to go to REI and get one of those maxchill bottles

I was at REI the past weekend and saw this Zefal insulated bottle. Don't use it so I can't comment on its effectiveness, but it did look good:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=2318&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC

Best.


I have a zefal bottle and if I put ice in with the liquid it is still fairly cold after an hour in 110 degrees. The only thing I don't like about it is the volume of water it holds, wish it held more but I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too in this case.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips to keeping the water in water bottles cold during long rides?

Freeze one of the two bottles you have, and let one melt over your ride while you drink the other one.

Personally though, i prefer room temp water when I am on my rides.

Sandra

I found this: http://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends/keratherm.html

They have a good review and comparison of different insulated bottles: I just bought one of these pajaro bottles, hoping to get it and test it out soon.

Report: I received the bottle today and went out for a ride. I put five ice cubes in, and my sports drink to fill. Was out for 1.5 hours, drink remained ice cold throughout, and all five cubes are intact, although shrunk a little. I am very happy with this: it worked better than my Polar bottle. Only thing is, the capacity is only about 15 oz, but since I have two, it is not a big deal.