2 hour MTB Race, bottle/cage or hydration system/rucksack

Got my first race coming up, its 2hours long. My normal rule of thumb is bottle and cage for road riding, camel back type thing for the mtb. I prefer just a bottle and cage, but there are advantages to having a back pack (hands free, no bottle to loose etc).
What is the general consensus?
Also what kit do you take, thinking a minimum of spare tube and pump!
What is the general consensus?
Also what kit do you take, thinking a minimum of spare tube and pump!
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Cube Reaction GTC SL
Surely you would get to the finish line quicker if the idea of a cool refreshing drink was waiting for you at the end of the race.
Only if it was beer!
Personally I take a fresh one every lap, psychological as much as anything, tend not to make them full though. For a 5 lap race I'll make 3 full bottles and decant them across 5 bottles usually. Carrying more than you need otherwise.
lols
Bottle
29er race
29er bouncer
Tool wise... spare inner, self adhesive patches & tyre boot in case you split a tyre/sidewall, I'd forgo the handpump and use co2 inflators instead, small multitool with tyre leaver
Thanks - I dont have any lacky and no food/drink stops I am aware of. Its multiple laps of a local area, its going to be more like a rugged long CX race, than a true MTB race - first time for me.
I may fit the bottle cage and take a bottle. I seem to drink less on the MTB than the road bike.
Most local races won't, so you can just stick your spare bottles wherever. One bottle for a 2 hour race isn't much.
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29er race
29er bouncer
IMO even if you have to stop and pick up a fresh one it costs you no more than 2 seconds or so, which I think is well worth it. I would definitely get out for a ride with a bottle though, as you do have to think about when you're going to drink slightly more than with a hydration pack.
There is no way I would consider doing it "dry" - thats just daft.
As far as I am aware there is nowhere for picking up/dropping off drinks/empties.
Bottle is lighter, will get filthy, could loose it, may get in the way of sholudering the bike (should the mud get bad) altough I intend to ride 100% of the race! I expect the CXers will be going faster though.
Pack is heavier, allows me to carry more/too much etc.
Will decide on the day. Not sure why am worrying about it, its not as if I am going to win
Whether or not there's a designated area makes no difference, just put your bottles on the ground beside the track. If it's a multi-lap event taking 2 hours that's exactly what people will be doing.
Dirty bottles is a red herring IMO, never had a problem.
What's the event?
Event is Midwinter Madness Hurt at the Haigh, if this goes to plan and is enjoyable I will do the Midweek summer series, and maybe some CX come the end of the year.
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Bloody windy out there, great fun though.
Good idea mate, stick with the hydration pack. More to carry but less of a faff, I use mine during races as the slight extra weight doesn't really matter as I'm not exactly in the elite class
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There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
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Raced with Hydration system (people were riding with a mix of bottles and back packs - the pros were using bottles). Took 1.5ltrs, ran out of fluid on the last half for the 4th lap (4 laps in total) - lesson learnt, you will drink more fluid in a race! I thought it was handy to have the tube near by, but it would have been nice to be riding without it.
Quite pleased with the results.
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL