Hydration during the time of Covid-19
 

Hello,

I've had a nice road bike for a few years but never really got around to taking up the sport. Recently, because of the coronavirus, I decided I would get into it again. I've been riding 25-50 miles a day and have really enjoyed it. However, I've been finding that the two water bottles that I take with me have not been sufficient for my rides, and all the water fountains are turned off because of corona. I was wondering how you guys would suggest I take extra water with me. Hydration packs make my back hurt, but I was thinking maybe I should use one of the behind-the-seat triathlon water cages. Any thoughts or other ideas? Thanks in advance guys.

Get extra capacity water bottles if they fit length wise. I've seen capacity ranges from 20 to 34 oz.
Drink well before the ride (including the day before)

Be well hydrated when you start a ride. Use electrolytes on at least one of your bottles. Ride in a place like Seattle.

Pre-hydrate, as previously mentioned. If I need more water than my two bottles can accommodate, I'll usually stop off at a convenience store/gas station and get some water and a snack (if I'm running out of water, it's a long ride and I'm also running out of food). Another thing that you can do is moderate your effort - if I think that water will be scarce, or if I accidently forget my bottles at home, I'll go a little easier.

I have a mask and gloves in my jersey pocket So I can buy more water if I need to. I sweat a lot and typically go through 48 ounces of water in a 40 mile ride, so I either plan to stop home or stop at a gas station.

You can carry another bottle in a jersey pocket. It's kind of annoying but you can get used to it. This will be an issue for lots of us this summer. The tri cages are known as bottle launchers, FWIW.

Some of my longer rides now involve loops that bring me past my house periodically so I can lose/gain water as needed.

Do you know anybody in the area you're riding through? I have a friend on the hot and sunny side of the Cascades, told me any time I ride by her house, if she's not home fill my bottles with the hose.

Above 75 degrees I'll use more than 20oz per hour. It hasn't been that hot here in the NYC area past month so I haven't run out yet.

Convenience stores are always open, I typically stop there if I'm out more then 2-1-2. hrs.

Zefel makes a 33oz water bottle, vs.a standard 20oz.or 24 oz. https://www.amazon.com/Zefal-164-Wat.../dp/B0048HWZ3Q

Or a Camelback.

Or some add-on fabric carriers designed for bike-packing, they mount on the sides of the stem. Topeak makes carriers for extra bottles as well.

I've been having to buy bottled water at gas stations. Most of the water fountains in the area are closed. I can sometimes get water at public bathrooms that aren't closed but it's hit or miss. I carry two 26 oz water bottles with me for most rides, but I go through about a bottle an hour so that doesn't get me very far.

How about you ride 25% of the ride one way, then ride back and refill your bottles at home. Then ride 25% the another direction and back.

This way your home is in the middle of the ride.

Do you really want to use a public water fountain or hose?

This never looked comfortable to me, but people do it. (I've mostly seen it in the middle pocket to bounce against your spine.)

http://www.stickybottle.com/wp-conte...2014/07/X7.jpg

I use one of these skiing.

https://www.ems.com/on/demandware.st...7_001_main.jpg

A mask and glove should get you in and out of a gas station for a quick water and ice fill with minimal exposure.
Some churches have outdoor faucets - ask if OK to use (with a glove of course)

But you should be OK with 64oz of water for a 50mi ride. As you ride more you will find you will need less.

I'm surprised water fountains are off, I haven't seen that yet.
Water bottle in middle pocket.
Or water bottle in each of side pockets (if the rest of your stuff fits in the center).
Or mask + convenience store.

​​​​​​Have you tried more than one? Different sizes (pack and bladder)?

If you can find a way to make that work, it can be a good option. Depending on the pack you might be able to freeze some of the water ahead of time and be cooled on a hot day.

In the hot weather we are having now in Socal, I have reduced my mileage to account for just having two bottles. There are well known water stops in our area, but I've mostly decided to skip them for a while. I do carry gloves and disinfectant in case I am forced to use one. I can still get 40+ miles on a ride if I leave early enough.

It's too bad you can't use a hydration bag since these are ideal for your purposes. Have you tried a small hydration bag (say 50 ounces)? Or have you thought about one that rests on your lumbar?

https://www.camelbak.com/en/packs/bi...ab6bb8f2fc327f

I like the small 50 ounce camelbaks.

It's a sweltering 68 F here.

A pleasant 104F here. Through the summer there is always ~3hr for riding in the morning after first light and before it gets too warm.

I have been carrying a lot of water with me on the bike. Rode a full 300k on 6 liters a couple weeks ago. The 2.5l camelback isn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. 2x1 liter bottles in the diamond, another big bottle below the down tube with a two-fish strap-on. A 2l platypus in the saddle bag. Another platypus in a handlebar bag. I just ordered a wolftooth b-rad 4 and a double bottle mount which should get me another 1.5 liters on the frame for almost 11 liters total. That should be enough for a full day in the saddle even if it's hot.

Look for churches along the ride to fill up from their outdoor water faucet. They aren’t likely to give you trouble over it.

Pre-Covid I would fill up at delis, 7-11, Starbucks and other stores. But since they are closed, i've used a few water faucets on the side of buildings and once asked a guy working on his lawn and he gave me a cold bottle.

Give it a few weeks and things should loosen up a bit.

It's a good reminder from @tntyz and @GlennR that you're allowed to ride a figure 8 and stop midway at home for more water. No rule against that.

For a lot of people, a great thing about bikes is how they can take you out of your neighborhood and bring you through places you don't see every day. So it's good to try other options too. If you drive to ride somewhere else, you can leave water in your car. A double walled vacuum insulated water bottle will keep it icy cold in your car on a hot day. (I heard about one surviving a car fire and still having ice in it.)

If you're riding in the boonies, a Sawyer Mini will make creek water safe from bacteria, not agricultural runoff though. I've filled my bottles from nature this way.

When you get home somewhat dehydrated, make up for it quickly, and know that popsicles are a delicious treat.