Hi everyone... total newbie question here.

I'm doing my first century ride this weekend. I'm very new to cycling- got my first "real" bike about 5 months ago. I anticipate it taking me at least 5 hours for the ride. I'm in central NC, so I'm anticipating close to 100 degree temps and at least 90% humidity on Saturday.

So here's the question... is it a total dorkfest to ride with a camelbak on? I tend to wear mine on longer rides (2-3 hours), just due to there not being a lot of places to stop for water and the fact that I sweat like a horse. I do get a lot of dirty looks from other road bikers I encounter on these rides, however. I'm wondering if it's due to the camelbak, or if I'm somehow violating some other unwritten rule of road biking.

Yes, carry more water bottles, you'll be happy that you don't have something on your back to make you hot

I would learn to ride without it. On the MTB it's fine and makes sense, but on the road bike you don't want all that extra weight on your back, you want it on your bike.

Put two full bottles in your bike bottle mounts, and another full one in the middle pocket of your jersey. Halfway through, fill them back up. I would recommend either freezing them or putting ice in them or getting insulated bottles (either Polar or Camelbak). When it's 100 degrees my non-insulated bottles last about an hour before they're just ridiculously hot and hard to drink from.

I have carried the water both in bottles and with a camel back. Just my opinion but I like the camelback much better. I have riden with numerous riders and found most of this to be what ever you like the best, do it and do not worry what others think of how you carry your water.

No, not a dorkfest but if the century ride is an organized one, there should be fluids available at regular intervals (sag stations) and you can ride with two large water bottles filled and you should be ok between stations. Use a powered mix that you can add to the water provided, such as Endurox or Cytomax, to keep your electrolites up. These "engineered" drinks are also good for keeping leg cramping to a minimum. I carry extra powder with me in a zip lock baggy in my jersey pocket. Plain water or Gatoraid will not be good in that heat. ALSO, five hours in 100 degree humid weather may be pushing it for you if you're new to distance riding. You should have also done at least an 80 mile ride the week prior and then taper down. Remember, it is NOT A RACE, so ride it sensibly at at your ability level and don't try to be some one that you are not - meaning let other riders pass you.

As for your initial question about the Camelback, a number of roadies find that it is uncomfortable on your back when you are bent further forward in a drop handlebar position vs the more up right position of a mountain bike. I only used my Camelback on the road bike when I lived in Utah, was doing long distance rides up 30 to 50 mile canyons on the road and there simply was no source of potable drinking water available in these undeveloped wilderness areas, and I would go through my two water bottles fairly quickly in the heat. The Camelback provided 100 oz of additional fluid which I needed. It soaked my jersey because it was heavy and hot, but I was already sweaty so did it really matter? If your century ride is an organized one, or, if you will find convenience stores along your route, you can depend on two water bottles and stop and refill regularly. I am sure others here can give you the "formula" for how much fluid to consume per hour, but you should be drinking like a fish, even if you don't think you are thirsty.

When I would ride the Assault on Mt. Mitchell in the early 1990s, I would see people with two water bottles on the frame, and then two additional ones mounted to the rear of the saddle, like a tri bike. I would think, "why do you want to haul four filled bottles up this hill when there are sag stops all along the way?" It was overkill and not a good idea. I have some times brought a third water bottle or even a fourth in my jersey pockets that I toss to the side of the road in an area where I know that they will be recovered and recycled, keeping just the two primary ones with me.

Hope this helps you - good luck.

I know it's roadie sin, but I wear a Camelbak sometimes. It's true that it's nicer to have nothing on your back, but on super hot days, I can go through two water bottles AND a Camelbak, without any place to fill up on most of my routes. It's also nice to have the tube close to your mouth, so you don't have to grab and replace the bottle. It's not as bad as most people on here make it out to be, and I've ridden both ways. I really don't like have a full water bottle in my jersey, but to each his own.

If you think you'll need it and you're comfortable carrying it for 5+ hours then by all means wear it. Don't worry about what others think.

As for me I'd rather die of thirst before wearing one of those dorky things. But that's just me.

I also live in the southeast and wear a 100 oz Camelback for longer rides (3+hours) I sweat like pig so I need a lot of fluids and I don't like to stop for refills. I say if you are happy with the Camelback and it works for you... wear it. I see nothing wrong with it. If you're in the middle of the TDF it's different, but you're riding for fun. Do what works best for you.

Absolutely, wear the Camelback. Who cares what anybody thinks. Everyone will see it because they will eventually be looking at your back when you go by (well hydrated).

Many century rides I do are very poorly staffed. There is never water available when I really need it to ride well.

Anything over 2-3 hrs for me means the Camelback. I am not one of the dorks that stops for water.

+1. If it works, use it.

to skip SAG stops, for a faster finish time.

I carry a Camelback on most of my long rides. I usually will fill up my camelback with ice and top it off with water. That way, it keeps me cool while it melts and gives me refreshing cool water through my ride. For me, my family has a history of kidney stones and I would prefer not to get my first one. For me its prevention. ON very long rides (non-supported), I will take my Camelback plus 2 extra bottles of water. Plus, I sweat like a pig!

Agree. Most "organized" rides aren't, especially if the weather is hot. I treat all rides as unsupported these days...

I prefer the Camelback to the water bottle as it is awkward for me to reach down while pedaling. It is also safer (I tried to grab the front tire once.....that was interesting....).

To each his own though.

Nothing wrong with being a dork as long as you don't wobble into someone else's line.

CamelBack seems like a prudent action. Everything outside the realm of how you chose go about cycling is irrelevant.

Here in the SW with summer ride temps regularly in the 100's I would say 25-30% of the riders on group club rides use hydro packs. I don't like the weight, but in the summer heat I carry a 70 oz pack with energy drink in one bottle and another bottle with water to dump on my head. I know from testing that when it gets hot my sweat rate is around 55 oz per hour. If I just had bottles I would need to stop every hour ... not going to do that. Last years Hotter than Hell my first stop was at 54 miles. I don't like the extra weight, but I do like having cold water throughout the ride and I can carry additional supplies ... like the spare tire some one in my club needed at 75 miles to finish the ride due to a split tire. So do what you are comfortable with. I love Fall, winter, spring when I can just use 2 bottles though.

Edit: If you are finishing a hot hilly century in 5 hours total time you got fast, Quick!

As has been mentioned, if it's an organized ride; there will be plenty of water stops. You won't need the camelbak.

I didn't know what to expect for my first century and wore one - it was completely unneccesary. That was a hot, hilly day in Southern California.

I stopped using my camelback. For 30-40 miles I don't really need to drink maybe half a bottle. I get a quart down or so before riding. After 50 miles I take a break gas station and drink some,

I find that you really need to drink post ride. Like after a century keep yourself hydrated until you get to bed.

I had been riding 16-32 miles every morning everyday this month during weekdays. I do not finish my bottle off. I live in the arid hgh desert as well.

Really? Wow....I went through 2 20oz water bottles on a 10 miler the other day. But again, The average day I'll drink around 140-170 oz a day....

I wear one.
I have seen two people face plant on the road while drinking from their bottles. They looked a lot dorkier being put into an ambulance than I will ever look because I have a Camelbak on.

I use a Rogue (road specific) and can knock it down in about 60 miles on a hot day.

stick a sign on the camelback saying "fred and proud". then tell the dirty lookers to get stuffed.

If you like using the Camelbak, then go for it. You will likely see a few other people using hydration packs as well.

I tend to use mine on longer rides, as it makes drinking much easier, keeps the water cooler, and usually saves me a stop or two. I use a 1.5 liter, so the weight is barely noticeable. Sometimes the back sweat bugs me, but usually it's fine.

Man - drinking from a bottle while riding is almost as hard as chewing gum and walking.

What really scares me is that these people are out there driving the freeways...

i'd rather be dorky than thirsty