When I ride the road bike (50+ miles) I wear my Blackburn hydrapak (110 oz.) and carry two water bottles! Hydration is power! Since I ride solo, I also carry along a folding tire, a spare tube, and a small tool set. All fits nicely in the hydrapak.

When I ride the mountain bike, even though I only cover 10 to 15 miles, and the temps are usually in the 30s and 40s, I still carry the hydrapak and one oversize water bottle. I will usually go through almost all of the hydrapak, and still have the water bottle for emergencies, and for giving the dogs that come with us a drink.

Oh, yes, and one other thing, you can really carry a lot of stuff in a hydrapak! Last summer, while on the way home, I was in the mood for a hot dog and a beer...'er...sports drink. I stopped at a convenience store, and emptied the remaining water out of the bladder, and replaced it with some ice. Then, I could fit a six pack of my favorite beverage and the 'dogs in the pak. (I still had my water bottles, of course.) Another half hour and I was home, and the cargo was still nice and cold! Life is good! :-)

If I were a racer, I would probably not wear a hydrapak, but then I wouldn't probably be riding 80 to 100 miles at a time, either. But, riding unsupported long rides, I would not be without one!