datlas 

I am having issues finding public water sources during COVID19. I called the township where I do much of my cycling, asking if they know of even a spigot that I could use when I need it.

The guy said there is no outside water spigot, but did point out there are countless streams in the area and suggested I could use them and a life-straw or equivalent filter.

I have ZERO experience with these filters but desperate times call for desperate options. Anyone have experience?? I imagine indyfabz has used such devices on his cycling adventures??

Comments?

I really don't want to have to wear a Camelbak or get a set of twin bottle launchers for my saddle.

Bah Humbug

With the Hammer dead I did my morning ride outside for the first time in... ever, I think. I even stopped to smell take a pic of the roses cacti, since it was a base ride.

WhyFi

What's on the fork? Light? Camera?

LesterOfPuppets

In the great PNW I'd often refill in springs/streams, just follow the Creek upstream a ways til I felt reasonably sure there wasn't any poop in there.

If you notice a lot of spiqots with square tool interface, you could get one of those tools and carry it with you, just don't get caught.

Bah Humbug

Light. That’s also why there’s a red splash on the wall - caught the rear blinking. I left almost literally as the sun was over the horizon and didn’t want to take risks en route to the MUP. No action cam yet, but they do seem vaguely fun. Just no idea where to start.

seedsbelize 

Hooded merganser?

Bah Humbug

Oh and... Action!

RPK79

Red-breasted Merganser

RPK79

I couldn't get close enough to get a really good shot unfortunately.

Velo Vol 

See post #7992

seedsbelize 

Thanks

Velo Vol 

Nice roots.

RPK79

Yeah of the hundreds of photos I took that one is my favorite.

WhyFi

The place to start is to think about the primary function.

For me, it's mostly documenting bad/aggressive drivers. Since that requires that the camera be running the entire ride, and since I do long-ish rides pretty regularly, that meant that battery life and storage capacity was important (some cameras get around the storage issue with writing in smaller chunks and overwriting the oldest file unless you protect it [pushing a button at the time of an incident to lock the file]). The Cycliq has, by far, the best battery life on the market (~8 hours, camera only, no light), and it'll take a 128GB card. The image quality is not as good as the best out there, though.

Other cameras, like GoPro, have much shorter battery life, something on the order of 90 minutes, IIRC. Some of the inexpensive ones on Amazon have really, really ****ty battery life. That said, some of these units may be able to run longer with a supplemental battery and charging cable. but that's a bit of a kludge, to me.

WhyFi

Are convenience stores/gas stations not open? If I run out of fluids, I'm usually in need of a snack, too, so I'll grab a few things. If the fountain drinks are operational, I'll ask if I can fill my bottle with water and they're usually cool with it.

datlas 

Prehydration buys me an extra 30 minutes. Not adequate for a longer ride in summer heat/humidity.

datlas 

I believe the fountains at WaWa are closed due to COVID19. And actually most of my solo rides are done on back roads, I don't see a single gas station or convenience store. They are out there but on major roads which I avoid. Obviously if I run out of other options I can start to reconsider my route(s) to try to go near a gas station.

indyfabz

Sorry, but no. I usually tour in places where there are sufficient water sources. I use two 25 Oz. bottles and a 40 Oz. CamelBak. For hard days with no services, I tote a 20 Oz. soda bottle filled with water in pannier.

I do have a filter that I used when I backpacked, but it’s large and this not practical for road rides.

I have read good things about the life straw. But I don’t think filters remove potentially harmful chemicals. Nor do they filter viruses. You need a purifier for that.

There are also UV pens, but they might take a while to work.

One option might be outside spigots at churches. Or if you see someone outside their house doing something like gardening.

Velo Vol 

https://findaspring.com/category/loc.../pennsylvania/

datlas 

Thanks for the answers. I believe there is a gas station about 3/4 mile off one of my usual roads, I will have to swing by there sometime and see if they have a spigot.

seedsbelize 

In earnest this time

WhyFi

Funny that you live in the crowded NE corridor and I live in spacious flyover land, yet I couldn't do a ride even nearly as remote as yours!

datlas 

I checked to see if there is a Fountain of Wayne. No luck.

#90sMusic

Velo Vol 

I've used one of the springs listed on the website. The water is pretty good.

LesterOfPuppets

didja check in Wayne, NJ?