Originally Posted by
big john
I accepted my fredliness years ago so I wore one to the group ride Saturday. I was the only one and I don't really know them, but it was hot and I didn't know if or when there would be water stops and I need a lot of water. One of the guys was chiding me on a climb about having seen me climb better before. I told him the Camelbak was slowing me down.
When I ride with my regular club I never use it because I know there are water stops. With a lot of solo riding this year and water sources turned off and wanting to avoid stores, especially when alone, I started using it on hot rides. With 2 big bottles and a 2 liter Camelbak I can carry about a gallon. I tried an extra bottle in the jersey and 2 bottles in a handlebar bag but the Camelbak seems to work best for me.
For a longer ride in the heat with uncertain water stops, it makes TOTAL sense to have one.
But our rides are set up to have a short water stop every 90-120 minutes, so in this case I don't think the Camlebak is really necessary. Of course it's a free country so the guy can bring whatever he wants.