mtb_addict

What are some ideas to refill the water bottle for free?

For example, do you walk into a gas station and ask the clerk if you can refill your water bottle for free?

cyccommute 

That should about cover it. Gas station, convenience store, McDonalds, water fountains, etc. I've never had an issue with getting water in the US. There are places where I wouldn't want the water like my hometown Fowler (Town motto: non est locus iste) or anywhere east of Pueblo along US50 for that matter but I've never had a problem.

Marcus_Ti 

Gas station. Buy a bag of crackers or potato chips for a snack, and use the soda-fountain tap. It makes you seem like less of a deadbeat to staff.

Public fountains are going the way of the DoDo sadly, one of the many budget cuts for little-used items as people spend less time outdoors and more indoors.

Lemond1985

Carry along a fire hydrant wrench.

Seriously though, I used to carry a water key for getting water out of faucets typically seen behind strip malls and businesses that have the handle removed to prevent mischief.

Public water fountains? Too gross for me, and almost always lacking adequate water pressure.

_ForceD_

I usually swing through Flint, MI to refill on long rides.

Dan

indyfabz

A seasoned veteran with a stable of bikes who commutes to work doesn't know the answer?

Koyote

Also look on the sides of public buildings, churches, etc. Many have faucets.

In desolate areas, when desperate, I've gone up to houses and asked if I can use the outside faucet. No one has ever refused me.

Also: consider buying a Camelbak or similar hydration system.

Koyote

Free water is not a "right" in America. This is why I get a water bill each month.

Are you actually planning to ride in Europe and worried about refilling bottles?

indyfabz

I hear the water there is the color of orange Gator-Ade.

55murray

Best free water ever, whatever I have on me when I visit the center of Pittsburg, Indiana gets dumped and refilled from this natural, untreated spring:

Litespud

Doesn't the added lead slow you down on climbs?

nomadmax 

I fill my bottles from the bathroom sink in gas stations & C-stores when I'm out riding. Then again, I was in the Corps and I never met a Marine who hasn't "drank out of a puddle" Dog parks are also a great place to get municipal water and sometimes regular people parks too (a lot don't have drinking fountains anymore).

burnthesheep

Alright home slice. I'd like to see the bill for 1 liter of water split out from a water bill comprising up to 4 monthly units. At least Nestle "steals" your local municipal supply and first filters it and gives you a bottle for your dollar. Geesh.

Last I checked, the penny was the smallest form of currency you could exchange.

Places charge for water because you can't drink from the tap or risk getting dysentery and threatening your community's arrival in Oregon.

You a member of the FYIGM crowd?

Koyote

You seem to have had a reading comprehension problem. I did not state that water should not be free; I stated that water is not free. I don't need to show you my water bill to prove that.

caloso

Yes, but it protects your internals from the radiation emitting from the soil.

indyfabz

Isn't there a recent thread about that?

DrIsotope

After reading a post about the homeless population using drinking fountains as showers, then seeing it happen in person, I pretty much cannot use a drinking fountain anywhere. Even those indoors. I developed a phobia overnight.

Gas stations with mini-marts work, though in 9 out of 10 cases I buy something rather than just ask for water. Grab a snack, ask if I can fill my bottles with ice water, I've never once been refused.

In moments of desperation, you can ask a dude out watering or mowing his grass. For the most part, people are decent. I've been out riding when it's far too hot to be riding, and random people have offered me bottles of water.

If you have frequent routes, start to build a mental database of friendly gas stations, convenience stores, and any other place you can grab some water or take shelter if need be.

One of the local credit unions has a coffee maker and filtered water right by the front door. I've gotten water there countless times. My LBS has a 5-gallon water dispenser in the back.

I have friends and family scattered all around the IE, and have stopped and gotten water out of the hose bib at numerous houses.

dedhed

https://city.milwaukee.gov/water/cus...m#.XV7YAuRYaUk

dedhed

My preferred source is the Mondeaux.

Mondeaux Dam Recreation Area | Wisconsin Parent

Korina

Now you don't have to go so far out of your way!

I'm assuming Newark is closer than Flint; all those little states are confusing.

alcjphil

yumm

indyfabz

What make and model of bottle cage do you use for that?

alcjphil

As we used to say back in the '60s, "that's heavy man, really heavy"

CAT7RDR

I am making a habit of filling water bottles at a natural spring on Highway 39 heading up to Dawson Saddle in the Angeles National Forest. Cold and clear without any problems so far.

https://www.findaspring.com/location...rnia-ca-91008/

Milton Keynes

I fill up at convenience stores, always offering to pay for the ice & water, and usually buying a snack so I don't feel like a heel just getting free water. But I know a couple places to fill up from outside faucets, one is in a small town several miles north of where I live. Guy has told many cyclists to feel free to fill up from his outside hydrant, and if he's home he'll offer ice & water from the kitchen faucet. Another location quite a bit further to my house belongs to a woman I've often ridden with who said that anyone on a bike is welcome to use her outside faucet as well. So far I haven't had occasion to use either one, but it's nice to know they're there if I need them.