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Water on longer rides

by bechdan
Fri, Aug 16, 2019 19:37
34

Personally I find it hard to bring myself to add the weight of an extra water bottle 0.75kg on long rides, having spent plenty of time and money on getting my bike light and efficient. But I also know the engine wont function without water.

So, what to do! What is more efficient - stopping to refill or carrying the extra weight?

Last couple of long rides Ive done (Yorkshire dales cycleway and Fred Whitton route) Ive taken one bottle and been fortunate enough to refill from friendly locals or public conveniences. But yesterdays 75mi ride I was struggling to find anyone/where to refill, and didnt have my water filter for rivers/streams I passed.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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34 comments

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Pyro Tim replied to Awavey | 5 years ago
2 likes

Awavey wrote:

Welsh boy wrote:

Simon E wrote:

Even  though you also say "too many people slavisly follow the figures quotes for elite athletes" that seems to be what you're doing.

No, what I am doing is keeping an open mind that there are alternative theories out there rather than just the one which is often quoted on this and other forums by amateur riders slavishly following the top professionals with no real ideawhy they are copying them.

I dont agree people are slavishly following this stuff, hydration is just like food fuelling for a ride, you do what works for you, usually through the painful experience, and it really really does hurt to keep riding if you get dehydration cramps in the legs, if you get it wrong as you push up the miles.

fwiw I did 80 miles yesterday, I went through 1.5-2 litres of water, and arguably didnt drink enough, as Id started to get a headache, and then I easily sunk about the same amount of liquid post ride, I think the weather was alot warmer than it had felt because the wind we were riding in kept us cooled down alot so you were sweating alot but didnt feel overly cooked to feel like you needed more water all the time, thats something Ill bear in mind next time I do a ride like that.

 

Whereas I did 78 miles (3hr40) on a bottle and a bit.  (approx 800ml) No ill effects, no cramps. RideLondon (4hr41) the other week was 3 x 600ml bottles. No cramps there either. There is no scientific proof that hydration has any effect on cramp. The way I am I drink when I'm thirsty, and gulp it down. I normally drink a pint of squash before heading out to make sure I start from a good level. Everyone is different. No hard and fast rules, and telling people they need x amount of water for x distance is plain ridiculous.

 

When it's warmer, I drink more. I've finished 2 600ml bottles within 50 miles before, but then on other cooler days I've done 80 miles on 1. Listen to your body and ignore everyone else.

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Awavey replied to Pyro Tim | 5 years ago
0 likes

Pyro Tim wrote:

Awavey wrote:

Welsh boy wrote:

Simon E wrote:

Even  though you also say "too many people slavisly follow the figures quotes for elite athletes" that seems to be what you're doing.

No, what I am doing is keeping an open mind that there are alternative theories out there rather than just the one which is often quoted on this and other forums by amateur riders slavishly following the top professionals with no real ideawhy they are copying them.

I dont agree people are slavishly following this stuff, hydration is just like food fuelling for a ride, you do what works for you, usually through the painful experience, and it really really does hurt to keep riding if you get dehydration cramps in the legs, if you get it wrong as you push up the miles.

fwiw I did 80 miles yesterday, I went through 1.5-2 litres of water, and arguably didnt drink enough, as Id started to get a headache, and then I easily sunk about the same amount of liquid post ride, I think the weather was alot warmer than it had felt because the wind we were riding in kept us cooled down alot so you were sweating alot but didnt feel overly cooked to feel like you needed more water all the time, thats something Ill bear in mind next time I do a ride like that.

 

Whereas I did 78 miles (3hr40) on a bottle and a bit.  (approx 800ml) No ill effects, no cramps. RideLondon (4hr41) the other week was 3 x 600ml bottles. No cramps there either. There is no scientific proof that hydration has any effect on cramp. The way I am I drink when I'm thirsty, and gulp it down. I normally drink a pint of squash before heading out to make sure I start from a good level. Everyone is different. No hard and fast rules, and telling people they need x amount of water for x distance is plain ridiculous.

 

On warmer days I drink more. Sometimes I've done my 2 bottles within 50 miles, and had to top up, other times I've done 80 miles on 1 bottle. Lots of factors involved. Listen to your body and ignore everyone else

but that just proves its entirely indiviual, and you find your own limit, usually through bitter experience, absolutely listen to your own body on it,except on the occasions when its not necessarily giving you the whole picture 1

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Welsh boy replied to Simon E | 5 years ago
0 likes

Simon E wrote:

Is this what you were referring to? 

Thanks, I think it is but I am sure that I saw a whole paper (or a similar one) at some point in time.

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Awavey replied to Welsh boy | 5 years ago
0 likes
Welsh boy wrote:

What do you call a "long ride"?

I use one 500ml bottle for rides of up to 75 miles.  Did you know that you are not going to die if you are a little bit thirsty when you finish a ride?

It wont, but muscle cramp from dehydration is really really painful,and a bit of a pain if you have to carry on riding with it, plus it doesnt go away just if you then drink lots. Always carry 500ml, I double up if the weather is 28C+,I'd drink that on 50mile ride easily

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