Originally Posted by
Dave Cutter
The rules are the rules. There are no "special dispensations".... as there no need for dispensation. The rules are perfection.
However if you review the rule in question... you may note that this rule applies exclusively to "road bikes". This rule is apparently either dated... or for brevity... other forms of bicycles were excluded although not listed. I think it would be safe to assume that the "gravel bike" (or cross bike) you rode on the HHH was exempt from rule #32 (see below).
Rule #32
Humps are for camels: no hydration packs.
Hydration packs are never to be seen on a road rider’s body. No argument will be entered into on this. For MTB, they are cool.
Obey the rules.
The man speaks the truth.
Gravel bikes: What's fred is cool again.
I have my gravel bike loaded down with all kinds of things I would never be caught dead with on my road bike - aero bars, top tube bag, third bottle cage, and I have a 100-oz camelbak for 100+ mile rides. (I draw the line at a helmet mirror, though.)
Nothing but bottles and a computer on my road bike.