Different Ways to Hydrate

[ebnash]

I had my first race today and lost the bottle on the fist lap which really put the hurt on me since I have a cold right now and am already all dried up.

I hate wearing camelbak unless its an all day ride and I need the extra volume. Are there any alternatives out there? I do not want to worry about bottle loss in the future. What are my choices?

Thanks

[BruceBrown]

Originally Posted by ebnash

I had my first race today and lost the bottle on the fist lap which really put the hurt on me since I have a cold right now and am already all dried up.

I hate wearing camelbak unless its an all day ride and I need the extra volume. Are there any alternatives out there? I do not want to worry about bottle loss in the future. What are my choices?

Thanks

1. Don't drop your bottle.
2. If you do, you could - if so desired - stop and pick it up quickly.
3. Carry a spare bottle in your jersey pocket in case of #1.
4. Carry a spare in a 2nd bottle cage on the bike in case of #1.
5. Have a spare sitting in the drop zone.

[mudge]

Originally Posted by ebnash

I had my first race today and lost the bottle on the fist lap which really put the hurt on me since I have a cold right now and am already all dried up.

I hate wearing camelbak unless its an all day ride and I need the extra volume. Are there any alternatives out there? I do not want to worry about bottle loss in the future. What are my choices?

Thanks

With the right hydration pack, wearing your water isn't so bad... and I've never heard of anyone dropping their pack while riding!

Camelbak makes a pack that rides really low on the hips (CamelBak® - 2012 Octane XCT ) and there's always the WingNut Assault ( wingnutgear.com - Assault ). I haven't used the Assault, but I have one of the Octane XCTs. With the shoulder straps completely extended, the pack rides on the small of the back and I never, ever notice it. It's not any heavier than a couple of bottles and cages, and it's waaay more comfortable than carrying a bottle in a jersey pocket.

If you're like me, your dislike for hydration packs is probably due to the discomfort of having all that weight up around your shoulderblades. A low-riding pack will solve that problem and still allow you to drink when you need to, with no concern over not being able to get to your bottle or, worse yet, losing a bottle.

No, I don't work for Camelbak...

[azpoolguy]

I hate riding with bottles. I only use them on the road bike. I can't imagine loosing a bottle. I would dry up in an instant. The race courses here are all rocky and rough. Every guy in the in the last SS open race with me lost at least one bottle. I run a very small Camelbak with 70oz water,multi tool, and cO2 with 2 tubes. It weighs next to nothing after riding with a fully loaded HAWG and 100oz of water.

[WR304]

You could go for the triathlete approach with something like a Never Reach Pro mounted behind your saddle.

NeverReach Pro

.

[mudge]

Originally Posted by WR304

You could go for the triathlete approach with something like a Never Reach Pro mounted behind your saddle.

NeverReach Pro

.

Think of the advantage you'll get by leaving your competitors behind at the start line, rolling around, laughing.

[estabro]

Originally Posted by WR304

You could go for the triathlete approach with something like a Never Reach Pro mounted behind your saddle.

NeverReach Pro

.

They also sell a catheter adapter for endurance races.

[lamb]

Originally Posted by estabro

They also sell a catheter adapter for endurance races.

What about a water enema before the race, would that be beneficial

[Bill in Houston]

how many hours is a typical race?

could you use multiple small (like 12oz) bottles instead of one regular one?

[WR304]

Originally Posted by mudge

Think of the advantage you'll get by leaving your competitors behind at the start line, rolling around, laughing.

If anyone does get close during the race then they'll struggle to pass for the same reason.

A 35 second per 40k speed advantage, easy to reach hydration and an anti-pass device all in one. What's not to like about it.

On the subject of water bottles they aren't all equally as easy to hold. Traditionally shaped models like the SIS water bottles with a small tapered top are much easier to hang onto and grip than water bottles which have smooth sides and equal diameter.

Science in Sport | Sports Nutrition | Online Shop

Pictured below: SIS traditional tapered water bottle shape makes it easier to grip than some other water bottle designs.

[BikeShopMonkey]

get a better water bottle cage. even the aluminum ones of the same traditional shape vary in holding power. you can squeeze them closer together for added strength, but it's harder to return the bottle then.

the plastic specialized ones are rock solid IMO

[ebnash]

I have the specialized plastic cage for just that reason, but sometimes it is a pain in the ass to get the bottle back in that bastard. This is probably why I lost my bottle cause I drank early in the race and probably didn't get it back in the cage all the way. I would have jumped off to grab it but I have no idea when I lost it.

Has anyone tried the racebak from camelbak? Main reason I don't like packs is because during max effort, it feels restrictive on chest expansion and my races are in the 20-25 mile range so they are pretty much max effort for the entire race.
CamelBak Racebak Hydration Jersey - Men's from Backcountry.com

I am thinking of trying this in hope that it fits well under my jersey...

Might try to go do some training rides with small bottles in my jersey, but it doesn't seem ideal. In all honesty, I could probably normally finish a sprint race with no water, but it is not ideal...

[Crankout]

Originally Posted by ebnash

I had my first race today and lost the bottle on the fist lap which really put the hurt on me since I have a cold right now and am already all dried up.

I hate wearing camelbak unless its an all day ride and I need the extra volume. Are there any alternatives out there? I do not want to worry about bottle loss in the future. What are my choices?

Thanks

You have all but eliminated both choices in your request for further advice. However, I do like someone's advice about obtaining a more secure-fitting bottle mount.

[Bill in Houston]

Originally Posted by Crankout

You have all but eliminated both choices in your request for further advice. However, I do like someone's advice about obtaining a more secure-fitting bottle mount.

He didn't eliminate this...
Amazon.com: Topline Bar Hopper Drink Holder: Sports & Outdoors

[Crankout]

Originally Posted by Bill in Houston

He didn't eliminate this...
Amazon.com: Topline Bar Hopper Drink Holder: Sports & Outdoors

[mudge]

Originally Posted by ebnash

I have the specialized plastic cage for just that reason, but sometimes it is a pain in the ass to get the bottle back in that bastard. This is probably why I lost my bottle cause I drank early in the race and probably didn't get it back in the cage all the way. I would have jumped off to grab it but I have no idea when I lost it.

Has anyone tried the racebak from camelbak? Main reason I don't like packs is because during max effort, it feels restrictive on chest expansion and my races are in the 20-25 mile range so they are pretty much max effort for the entire race.
CamelBak Racebak Hydration Jersey - Men's from Backcountry.com

I am thinking of trying this in hope that it fits well under my jersey...

Might try to go do some training rides with small bottles in my jersey, but it doesn't seem ideal. In all honesty, I could probably normally finish a sprint race with no water, but it is not ideal...

I haven't worn a racebak, but I tried one on. Seems like a good idea, except 1- it is expensive 2- it doesn't hold much water 3- but that's okay because it holds it right bHetween the shoulder blades and if it was any heavier, it would cause more pain than a comparable pack, 4- to keep it in place the garment is heavier and tighter than a typical undershirt.

I still gotta go with my earlier suggestion(s): a low riding, lightweight pack.

I haven't seen any reviews from other Octane users, but I have seen lots of comments about the WingNut Assault. Consensus: best thing since canned coke. The Octane works on a similar principle and I really love how it works.

[zippinveedub]