Originally Posted by
VaultGuru
This is coming from my old triathlon days (fifteen years worth). FWIW, I don't go by bottles/hr. consumed. For me, it all depends on temperature and humidity. Since I live and train in the heat, I set my watch countdown repeat time option to beep every 5 minutes at 80º and every 4 minutes at 90º. If I didn't use this method, I could easily miss several opportunities to drink and get totally dehydrated before I knew what hit me. If I miss them, I never get enough liquid in me to recover. Bottom line - I go through a lot of liquid, but I stay hydrated.
I've learned this the hard way and agree with your timing / temperatures. I also alternate water / electolytes for rides longer than an hour. And nutrition is also a factor, again rides longer than an hour, I start nibbling at 20 minutes, every 20 minutes, regardless of temperature. Gels, bars, snickers, granola, it all works for me.