Water consumption

bluesparx
bluesparx Posts: 62
edited November 2010 in Road beginners
When I did my first 60 mile ride I supped nearly 3L from my camelback mule. I notice that most cyclists seem to only carry 2x 500ml water bottles for the same or longer distance. This means i'm carrying 2Kg extra weight and have a sweaty back. Is it because that is all people drink? Or do they top up along the way? Am I an excessive drinker?

Comments

  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    We top up along the route.

    I tend to drink 750ml - 1.25l per hour depending on temperature, effort, etc.
  • Heckler1974
    Heckler1974 Posts: 479
    If you feel you need to drink then drink. You may find that over time you need less, you may find that if you hydrate well beforehand you need less on the bike, you may find that if you use hydrating tablets to create an isotonic drink you need to drink less.

    Ultimately (IMHO) it's personal to you and don't be swayed by what you see others do, they may be fitter, they may sweat less, they be cyborgs sent from the future to make cyclists feel bad.

    I started with a camel bak, I now carry two bottles of an isotonic energy drink and on a sixty that would be enough (just), but I sweat loads (hell I break a sweat just turning on my Garmin) so that works for me at this point.
  • EV!lution
    EV!lution Posts: 51
    i used to drink 2L on a 13 mile route when i first started biking to get fit,

    Now im fitter i dont even drink 250ml on my 15.5 mile route,

    In warmer weather i tend to drink more, and i try to drink 1 litre of water and a bannana before i get on the bike
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Depends on a multitude of factors including how well hydrated you are before, how much effort you are giving, ambient conditions and even what you are wearing. The best option is to drink a little frequently - if you're having to stop for a wizz every 30 minutes you're probably over-doing it. Likewise, colour of said wizz can also show how well you're hydrated - bright yellow usually shows your kidneys are working too hard and you need to drink more. A lot comes down to experience and knowing your body.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    As others have said it depends on a lot.

    I used to take 2 bottles on our 40 mile club run (500ml energy drink & 750 water), this year I'm fitter and as the weather has started to cool off I've been doing the club run on a 500ml bottle of water and nothing else.

    Drink if you're thirsty. You are unlikely to over hydrate but dehydrating can be unpleasant.
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    +1 for the depends route.

    If its hot I drink more and colder I tend to drink a bit less, but a lot for me depends upon how hydrated I am before I get out. But most of my club mates and me top up the water bottles along the way.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • Stoo48
    Stoo48 Posts: 54
    Just one point, if your thirsty your'e too late......

    Keep sipping and stay on top of hydration, not hydration is much easier than re hydration....

    Same applies for eating and energy intake while riding
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Whatever feels right.


    Having said that, the pros back in the day used to train themselves to use less liquid because they, like us, would have to carry most of it all the way, rather than have bottles regularly handed to them.

    There's a story about a journo going out riding with Jan Jansen, where in a 2hr ride he baely touches his bidon, without remotely suffering from it.
    _

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