Tourist in MSN

I have three cages. I have carried extra bottles in a variety of places, one favorite place for me to carry extra bottles is strapped to one of my Ortlieb front-loader panniers using that little strap that goes over the top.

The most water I have ever needed during a long day of riding is (5) 26 oz bottles. That is almost exactly one gallon. I am sure that if I rode thru death valley or the high plains where there is no shade or toured to some location where there would be no water at the end of the day, I would need more. But so far, my 5 bottles have been adequate. On my last tour which had over 20 days of riding, only one day did I have to start on my last bottle - my touring partner ran out of water so I needed to give him some of mine.

I prefer bottles, I know exactly how many bottles I have remaining. Not so with a Camelback. And I prefer no backpack or fanny pack or lumbar pack when I am riding. It is not just a weight issue, I want all of my clothing to be able evaporate sweat.

staehpj1

Not a problem, I wouldn't be carrying any extra bottles or a bladder except on those rare days where I need to schlep a lot of water. It is easy enough to find empty bottled water bottles or sport drink bottles when needed and discard them when not. That has become my standard operating procedure.

I do agree with you that the Camelbak is not a big comfort problem especially in the heat. Filled with ice it can actually be nice and cool nice on the back as I learned on the trip where you hosted me at the start and graciously provided the ice. The ice does, as you have said before, last pretty much all day if you fill the bladder with ice and then top with a little water. The one trip where I used one it was just fine.

That said I usually prefer to drink from bottles so I don't usually take the Camelbak.

I also prefer to not have a lot of bottles and cages permanently attached to the bike. I use two and carry water to refill them elsewhere if needed, usually in either recycled bottles that can be picked up and jettisoned as needed or in a bladder. In many places I get along just fine with only the two bottles, in other places where necessary I just add some capacity temporarily.

If somewhere that I needed to carry a lot of water all or most of the time and I expected it to be very hot, I might consider using a Camelbak again.

staehpj1

I agree on that. It can be annoying not being as able to judge how much water I have left and I do find that easier with bottles.


Ice on the back can be cooler in the heat. I think that is one advantage of the Camelbak for some conditions.

fietsbob

Note the bottles the domestique supplies to the team are disposed by the racers, tossed to the roadside.

(Texas was never on my tour place list.. [I seem to favor talking to people in other countries,
by going there]

( one of my shop mates retired from Austin FD, when I talked about the locals reaction to
it breaking 80 here (they swelter) He said "I like Spring")

[happens that AMS Temperature is similar to here. thru out the year, though it's further north]

Nun's taste in widgets is not shared .. though thanks for shopping..

Need More bottles ?, Ortliebs Bottle cages, clip on using the same the add on pocket clips.

I too want to wear nothing on my back .. but a shirt and sweat, though Actually prefer cooler temperatures.
at 67 I finally bought a house , a year ago .. on the water, 2 blocks from my front door ..

nun

I would not pack extra water bottles. I'd buy water/soda in a store and fill the vest for any long stages where water would be scarce. I would only wear the vest when necessary



I only wear the back pack on the rare occasions when I have extra stuff to carry; 99% of the time it stays in my saddlebag.

nun

Sorry, I have no panniers.

fietsbob

stick to wet climates kid.

contango 

I remember seeing a bag that attached to the underside of the top tube and held a 100-oz water bladder. I think it came with a magnetic attachment, to keep the water pipe attached to the top tube when not in use, so it didn't go flapping around.

I've often put a 2-litre water bottle in a pannier ahead of a ride that's long enough that I expect to need it. It solves the water problem but does leave the bike's weight badly unbalanced if I need to dismount and push anywhere.

RoadMike

This set up will hold a 4L bladder with a sawyer mini inline filter and 2 26oz water bottles, plus tools and spares in the frame bag. Easily accessible to check fluid level in the bladder or reach for a bottle. This bag was custom made for me by CraterPacks of cuben fiber but there are many options out there that allow for a similar set up. Instead of a magnetic or retractable string method of hose retention, I just use my gas tank bag as a garage for the mouthpiece.