View Poll Results: Have You Ever Forgotten Your Water For a Ride?
Yes



57
69.51%
No



21
25.61%
Water!? I don't need water-I'm a camel.



4
4.88%
Voters: 82. You may not vote on this poll
Ever forget your water?
#26
Retrogrouch
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Yes, several times over the years. Usually I've gone back for it or stopped at a store to pick up something to drink; but, last week I noticed that I didn't have any water about a 1/4 mile from home and just kept going since it was about 40F and I was only planning on riding ~10 miles.
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 3
From: Further North than U
Bikes: Spec Roubaix, three Fisher Montare, two Pugs
I've forgotten everything at one time or another. Water...garmin gps...rain jacket...tire repair kit...mini pump....you name it, I've forgotten it. It's just a talent I have.
#29
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Bikes: 2012 Trek 7.2FX, 2014 Domane 2.3C
#30
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 572
Likes: 128
From: By theBeach and Palos Verdes, CA adjacent
Bikes: One of each: Road, Hybrid, Trekking
I've forgotten my water bottle so often that I have a map in my head of the coffee places in my area that have a water cooler and cups inside the door so I can grab a drink in an emergency. These are also the coffee places I do business with when I am on a ride and DON'T forget my water bottle. They're good to me, so I am good for them.
#31
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 11,013
Likes: 24
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
We live in the Sonoran Desert . . .
On long rides we carried 7 water bottles on the tandem; it can be 50 miles between watering opportunities and 100+ degrees 'warm'.
On long rides we carried 7 water bottles on the tandem; it can be 50 miles between watering opportunities and 100+ degrees 'warm'.
#32
I'm not sure I've "forgotten" my water bottle, although I suppose I've forgotten to take the opportunity to refill mid-trip.
I blew out a rivnut on my Litespeed. I'll get it fixed.... soon. But, until then, it is either Camelback, or nothing. So, trips to town, I just go without.
I blew out a rivnut on my Litespeed. I'll get it fixed.... soon. But, until then, it is either Camelback, or nothing. So, trips to town, I just go without.
#33
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 259
From: st augustine fl
Bikes: 2017 BMC Roadmachine 01 Enve wheels, Sram red etap,Cinelli Vigorelli single speed, 2009 Cannondale Capo, 2016 trek Domane 6.9, disc and Di2, 2016 Scott Scale 710, 27.5 plus tires and boost rims
#34
hermit
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Northeastern Ohio
I've never forgotten my water for a ride (yet). I've under-estimated how much I'd need, but never forgotten it.
But... several years ago I forgot my water on a summertime solo whitewater kayak ride on the Cheat River Narrows in West Virginia. Started out with the hike back up to where the boat was waiting beside the river - several miles in direct sun. And when I got there - I'd forgotten to put the water in the boat. Baaaad news.
I was really hurting by the time I got back to the car - weak & dizzy. I took a big drink of water - and immediately threw it right back up. Spent half an hour laying on the front seat in the air conditioning, taking small sips before I felt able to load the boat and drive. Scared the daylights out of myself that day, but I don't forget my water anymore.
Steve Z
But... several years ago I forgot my water on a summertime solo whitewater kayak ride on the Cheat River Narrows in West Virginia. Started out with the hike back up to where the boat was waiting beside the river - several miles in direct sun. And when I got there - I'd forgotten to put the water in the boat. Baaaad news.
I was really hurting by the time I got back to the car - weak & dizzy. I took a big drink of water - and immediately threw it right back up. Spent half an hour laying on the front seat in the air conditioning, taking small sips before I felt able to load the boat and drive. Scared the daylights out of myself that day, but I don't forget my water anymore.
Steve Z
#35
In the good old days of athletic training, it used to be common to go without water intentionally, so as to get used to exercising while thirsty. To toughen up. Maybe even as a deterrent to perspiration.
I admire that spirit.
But when I'm riding I always take a water bottle, without fail.
I admire that spirit.
But when I'm riding I always take a water bottle, without fail.
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 108
From: Middle of the road, NJ
My wife forgot her helmet once. She noticed it when we got to the bottom of a hill after taking a break at the top. So, back up we went. No helmet. We found it back in the car. My wife hates hills.
#37
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,585
Likes: 122
From: Tampa, Florida
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
I often forget my water bottle at home. I don't worry about it because I have two bottles on my bike and usually use just one. I also keep two spares in the van. Also, the MUP I ride at has cold water stations every 1.5 miles. When I don't ride at the MUP and forget my filled water bottle, I'll stop at a drive through and ask them to fill my second bottle.
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Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#38
I usually do forget it
It's gotten so habitual that I've given in to reality and I usually have a cut-down water bottle in one of my holders, a catch-all for sunglasses, gloves etc. Since I know I'll forget the water anyway.
It's gotten so habitual that I've given in to reality and I usually have a cut-down water bottle in one of my holders, a catch-all for sunglasses, gloves etc. Since I know I'll forget the water anyway.
#39
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I have forgotten my water bottle a number of times when leaving on my commute home from work, perhaps a few times in the morning as well. My commute distance is about 15-16 miles each way, so I can do it with no water but I drink up when I get home or to work. The only times it's been tough was on hot summer days. I normally drink a lot of water (see the thread on kidney stones) while riding, so I typically notice the missing bottle within a few miles but never turn back.
#41
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 420
From: Tucson Az
Bikes: 2015 Ridley Fenix, 1983 Team Fuji, 2019 Marin Nail Trail 6
Not that I remember. Filling/checking my tires and water bottle are a pre-ride ritual.
I have loaded my bike after a ride, and driven off with my water bottle on the back bumper.
I have loaded my bike after a ride, and driven off with my water bottle on the back bumper.
#42
Senior Member


Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 20
From: Fort Worth, TX
Bikes: 2006 Specialized Ruby Pro aka "Rhubarb" / and a backup road bike
Often I'll drive straight from work to the lake for a club bikeride or to ride solo.
I pack the car with bike, clothes, shoes, all my bike stuff.
I take 2 waterbottles into my workplace to fill with ice/water on my way out.
I do keep a spare bottle at work, but one 24-oz bottle isn't enough for a hot summer ride.
On our club route, there isn't a place to refill bottles mid-ride with cold water.
Dehydration is a chronic issue with me.
Borrowing a bottle from a friend isn't an option either. They need both their bottles too.
No water = no ride. And insufficient water = no ride.
I pack the car with bike, clothes, shoes, all my bike stuff.
I take 2 waterbottles into my workplace to fill with ice/water on my way out.
I do keep a spare bottle at work, but one 24-oz bottle isn't enough for a hot summer ride.
On our club route, there isn't a place to refill bottles mid-ride with cold water.
Dehydration is a chronic issue with me.
Borrowing a bottle from a friend isn't an option either. They need both their bottles too.
No water = no ride. And insufficient water = no ride.
#43
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,182
Likes: 5,314
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Not always! Drove several hours to a ride that was just part of a long day and one that I was doing on a new bike that had almost all of my attention. Got there and guess what? No jersey , no shoes. There was a surprisingly good bike shop in town and I purchased a perfect fitting pro racing quality jersey and some MTB shoes (I had toeclips; this was to be a fix gear ride with 2000' of climbing and descending - I don't do clipless there). Each was a C note. Ouch. But the ride went very well and even the shoes weren't an issue. And now,a few years later, I am riding SPD pedals and cleats on a gravel grinder/snow bike with MTB boots. Those shoes now have their place.
I have forgotten virtually everything at some point. Not yet the bike. I have forgotten my glasses. That's interesting. Locks (cost me a bike once), tires, tubes, tools.
Ben
I have forgotten virtually everything at some point. Not yet the bike. I have forgotten my glasses. That's interesting. Locks (cost me a bike once), tires, tubes, tools.
Ben
#44
Newbie

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
One day I was going out for a short spin and ended up further out than originally planned. Problem was I forgot my water and it was hot day, (90's). I was parched and getting ready to turn around when I came across a road crew. I told them I forgot my water and they gave me some, (from the yellow igloo you always see on the back of their trucks. Well, it was enough to keep going until I reach a fast food joint where I quenched my thirst for the way home. Lucked out I guess.
#45
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 3
From: Further North than U
Bikes: Spec Roubaix, three Fisher Montare, two Pugs
I rode my bike to Eagle Alaska (loaded touring) then took the ferry to Dawson and rode home. Going West from Whitehorse I ran out of water. I had a filter but there was simply no lakes or streams and eventually I completely bonked. Sat on the side of the road pretty much unable to go further. I held up my empty bottle to beg water for quite some time. A woman passed me with hardly a glance and returned about 30min later with water. She had none but went and got some. How nice was that?
#46
Senior Member



Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,766
Likes: 5,392
From: Minneapolis
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
#47
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Does having a bottle full of water on the bike, but forgetting to drink count? If so, I've ridden 50+ and up to 100 miles without drinking countless times.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Memphis
Bikes: 2014 Felt Z100, 1987 Schwinn Sierra
My first anniversary is still a month or so away, but I've found that by chewing gum I don't get as thirsty and don't even think about water until that 15th mile.
It's a different story when it's hot, then I make a conscious effort to drink every 4-5 miles whether I need to or not.
But YES, I have forgotten water several times. If it's hot, I turn back, even if I'm 5 miles away. This is the over 50 section, right?
It's a different story when it's hot, then I make a conscious effort to drink every 4-5 miles whether I need to or not.
But YES, I have forgotten water several times. If it's hot, I turn back, even if I'm 5 miles away. This is the over 50 section, right?
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 6
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Bikes: Bianchi Impulso, Raleigh Record Ace, Kestrel 200SCI, Jamis Xenith T2
I've never forgotten the water bottle, but I have had the unpleasant experience of developing a kidney stone due to not getting enough water one summer while doing a lot of running. The subsequent lithotripsy experience was enough to make sure I always have water.



