Awesome color!! I love Giant's colors.
As for a hydration pack, I wear one when gravel riding, and now on the road since I've been riding solo with no stops to limit my contact. I'm a former ultra runner turned cyclist, so I use an Ultimate Direction trail running pack (AK2.0). It sits high enough that I can still access my jersey pockets, and it has pockets on the front of it to carry more stuff. I keep my repair stuff in a saddle bag, my phone in my jersey pocket, and then food in the other pockets (most jerseys have three pockets). Using this method I can carry enough food and water for a 100-115 mile ride without having to stop anywhere.
A lot of road cycling is about conformity, being a trail runner, I'm kind of the opposite, I say do what works for you. I use SPD pedals where most roadies use SPD-SL, I wear short socks because I've never liked tall socks, I wear a hydration pack when I need it. Just do you and keep on enjoying the ride!
Road riding with a hydration pack and an aero helmet, zero ****s given
