Seattle Forrest

For anybody reading this who's new to cycling: it's a good idea to have electrolyte stuff in one water bottle, and plain water in the other. The electrolytes are more thirst quenching, water works too but if you crash or go by a crash, plain water can be useful for cleaning out a wound. And other things too.

SethAZ 

I don't know which bottles you have, but Soma has a bike water bottle called the Further that holds 38 oz. That's way more than usual bottles. I think my Camelbak Podium Chill bottles hold 24oz. Two of the Soma bottles would hold a little more than three of the Camelbak bottles.

I've done rides in the past where I put one or two normal thin plastic water bottles in my jersey pockets, and also brought my two frame-mounted bottles. At some point I pulled over and either chugged the water bottles from my jersey pocket, or transferred the contents to my bike bottles. I just scrunched up the empty bottles and put them back in my jersey pocket.

Sy Reene

Generally, liquor stores are "essential" so you can always run in and get a tall boy

cyclebycle13

A little creativity goes a long way. I can also put another bottle in my back pocket. I'd prefer to avoid having to walk into convenience stores at this time. Especially in the part of NY that has confederate flags (stolen from SNL, but so appropriate).

Danball1

Ordered the larger bottles. Thanks for the recommendation! I guess I'll just stick to buying from convenience stores if I need to cause I don't ride with a Jersey (yet, I guess).

Steve B.

And as note for everybody, a touring site called The Bicycle Touring Pro, having been all over Europe many times, Darren figured out that the cemeteries had water as folks use it on flowers. Never tried that here, curious.

zacster

Even if the fountains were on I wouldn't use them here in NYC at this point. It seems like all the street vendors are gone too. I went on a longish ride today and could've used more water but I was close enough to home at that point. I don't like stopping at the bodegas but they are actually usually very friendly. And I stop at a bike shop at the 20 mile mark where I sometimes turn around and they usually have a cooler full of drinks, but I didn't get that far today.

ZHVelo

We have so many fountains here, I now in fact get annoyed if I do a route where there are none.

canklecat

That's just summer in Texas, 'rona or not. I always take two 24 oz bottles with electrolytes (and sometimes other supplements), and often add a collapsible Mylar pouch from the freezer. That goes in my jersey pocket. By the time it thaws I'll probably need it.

Even with three water containers and some access to convenience stores I ran out partway through a summer century a couple of years ago. I misjudged my distance to the next store. I stopped at a rural park hoping to find a fountain or hose. Fortunately some folks grilling gave me a water bottle.

I'm considering adding a somewhat larger seat bag with water bottle pouch for the next longer summer ride. I usually average only 14 mph on solo century rides anyway so a little extra water won't weigh me down, especially on my old steel road bike. It already weighs about 25 lbs.

If I'm doing workout rides near home I just carry one bottle and circle home after 20 miles or an hour. But I'm lucky to have a couple of great workout loops of 2 to 10 miles nearby, so I don't need to carry much.

And I know some folks who drive to a park and ride spot that gives them a sort of base location to circle back to for a cooler of drinks and snacks, while they venture farther from home. For folks who enjoy chasing KOMs that's a pretty good plan for carrying as little as possible with low risk.

Velo Vol 

Correct.

taco2ewsday

sadly had to use my fresh water to clean out some road rash just last week, it's been said before but I'll say it again be careful around trolley/train tracks.

jbell_64

I added a third cage on my down tube. I call it my "covid cage" 😁

Pugs2xLove

Still lighter than the backpack I carry during my work commute. Hope he doesn't try to grab the bottles while in motion.

Leinster

For rides longer than 2-3 hours, set out early in the morning. You will need less water in the cooler temps. Plus, you’ll finish your ride earlier in the day and have more time after to do other stuff.

Leinster

This. Since my Hawaii trip a couple years ago I’ve been big on the Nuun tabs. 1 water, 1 electrolyte, any time I think/know I’ll be out for longer than 90mins.

The water is still important. Can’t dump a bottle of electrolyte mix over your head halfway up a climb.

Rogerogeroge

You think he stops to collect or distribute those bottles? You'd be amazed what those pros can do while riding their bike. I once saw a video of a pro woman making an omelette while riding her rollers in her kitchen.

OP - when I'm running low on water, I'll ask someone I see outside on residential property if I can get a refill from their spigot. Every house has an outdoor spigot.

Seattle Forrest

Ouch. Sorry to hear it. Hope it wasn't bad.

justonwo

Definitely agree about one bottle of fresh water and one bottle of electrolyte water. And if I’m going on a really long ride, I’ll take extra powder for the water re-fill.

AlgarveCycling

I'm planning a 200km+ ride in the coming fortnight so have thought about this too. It is around 26-30C here temperature-wise so warm and I used both my water bottles on a 143km (1700m climbing) ride last week but was happy to see a cyclists café (bike service shop/café) I know has opened again so I could fill up there - I was ready to buy water from a shop if needs be however. I have my Buff neckerchief which is accepted as a mask here.

We also have fresh water spa springs in the hills in places so I've planned a route that takes in the cyclists café and the spa springs so it should be fine. I use electrolytes like others have mentioned, 1 bottle with powder and a couple of tablets in my pocket. I also concur with going out earlier too.

taco2ewsday

slow ride home the day of the fall and been out 3x since, so I'll have some battle scars on my elbow a bruised ego and a scraped Brake/Shifter hood. All in all I'm fine, thanks for asking.

colnago62

I always hit a gas station or convenience store. The problem with carrying a lot of liquids on a ride is that it is heavy and difficult to keep cool on a hot day.

Kapusta

I’ve used these to mount extra water bottle cages:

Minoura Japan ? BH-95X

I’ve mounted them on a seat post and on fork legs..

Yonah

I would agree with most of the responses - pre-hydrate, bigger bottles and use electrolyte tabs, some additional $0.02:

- If you are going to carry additional water in a bag, get disposable bottles. They don't all fit well in cages, so drink your cage bottles first, and use the disposable to refill. You can then easily recycle the empty - or if you prefer, you can bring the empty disposable back with you and refill it - the empty weight is probably a lot less than a cage bottle.

- If you are looking for electrolytes, I am a big fan of Nuun - https://nuunlife.com

- Starbucks are everywhere, and most are open for order pickup. Before COVID, I know that a lot would give you a cup of ice water without purchase, not sure if that is still the case, but you can get a shot of Espresso, and a large cup of ice, and refill your water bottle. A Venti cup is 24 oz, and a Grande is 16.

Kabuki12

I am usually out for less than 3 hours so one large water bottle is good. I drink at least 12 oz. prior to riding and put Nuun in my water bottle. I only have one cup of black coffee the morning I ride and leave early this time of the year as it gets warmer. I am home by 9:30am and have the rest of the day with my wife. Since I have been using the Nuun , I still have energy at the end of the ride. I live on a hill so my last push is tough with my vintage racers that are over geared and it is usually getting warm as I am 15 miles from the coast in Southern California. I use the Nuun with caffeine . Joe joesvintageroadbikes.wordpress

ririder

As long as the omelet gets made I don't care what she does.