Originally Posted by
Wanderer
If it tastes funny, wash it with dish detergent and water, rinse well several times. Then rinse it with 1 teaspoon of bleach in a bucket of water and let it sit for a half hour. Rinse well several times again, and then let it soak with a few Tablespoons of baking soda in cold water (full) for overnight. Dump the soda, rinse a few more times with clear water, and it should be good to go without any foreign tastes.
Or toss in a shot of scotch, shake it around, and rinse. Next time you use it, the water tastes great!
Also - I keep mine in the freezer when not in use.
Originally Posted by
CommuteCommando
I have found a technique for making "Mega Ice Cubes" I put about 6-8 oz water each into ziplock baggies and freeze them over night. Cubes that big take longer to melt (lower surface area to volume ratio). Mine is a HydraPack, not a Camel Back, thought I have had one of those. The giant ice cubes go into the HydraPack easily, though you may want to make them smaller to get them into the CamelBack opening, which is smaller. Freezing a partly filled bladder then topping with water will work, but if water freezes in the valve it may be up to an hour into your ride before you can draw from it. (Been there done that)
That reduces the amount of available drinking water.
Easier technique:
** Half-fill the Camelbak.
**Freeze - making sure the fill cap (top) and the hose (bottom) are not covered with water.
**Next day - fill the Camelbak with water.
**You'll have ice-temperature water, and as the ice freezes, that - of course - also turns into water.
I do something similar with regular water bottles:
** I always keep a few on the freezer, half filled.
** On ride-day - fill with water, and I have excellent chilled cold water