How to feed long rides

rob39

Due to my location my rides are in the back end of the middle of no where and very hilly 4000ft + of climbing. So when attempting a long ride 70 miles how do you hydrate when their are no shops

imposter2.0

I usually take a couple of bottles and carry them on the bike.

marcusjb

As above, two larger bottles.

If you need a refill, you'll generally receive good responses from people out in their gardens etc.

You don't say where you are, but on the continent in particular, graveyards usually have a tap.

If you are truly the back end of the middle of nowhere, then fast flowing streams are going to generally be fine.

oxoman

Rob another option is to carry a couple of disposable water bottles in your jersey pockets and use them to top up your main bottles and either squash them down when empty or put in a bin. Camelback have a collapsible bottle as another option so you just refill as required. Another option is double bottle holders for behind the saddle.

fenix

Two large bottles typically do me for a long ride.

I refuse to believe you can't find a shop/petrol station/cafe somewhere on a 70 mile ride though.

Flâneur

70 miles in this country should see you pass something be it a cafe/garage/corner shop/ spar (cycling in Wales Mid and North has taught me there is always something even if you need to hit a proper road for a few miles).

But should you be out early hours or in the late hours and require more than 1.5L I'd go with a saddle mounted bottle cage, 2 more bottles so another litre at least.

I know when I have been mtbing (and hiking/running) I've used fast flowing streams without ill affect. Do give the bottle a smell tho.

drlodge

Can you fit 1 litre bottles in your cages? 2 litres should be enough for 70 miles, and a snack bar of some sort at mid ride.

oxoman

If your not careful riding over rough roads you will lose the bigger bottles, hit a crack in the tarmac going downhill on a sportive my big 750 bottle popped out and skidded off. Luckily people behind me missed it.

ugo.santalucia

rob39 wrote:

Due to my location my rides are in the back end of the middle of no where and very hilly 4000ft + of climbing. So when attempting a long ride 70 miles how do you hydrate when their are no shops

If it's 4000ft over 70 miles, I'd say they are not hilly at all. 2 large bottles should be plenty for 70 miles. Yesterday I did 62 with one 750 ml bottle (hottest day of the year, albeit I went out in the morning)

DeVlaeminck

oxoman wrote:

If your not careful riding over rough roads you will lose the bigger bottles, hit a crack in the tarmac going downhill on a sportive my big 750 bottle popped out and skidded off. Luckily people behind me missed it.

Not a problem if your bottle is snug in the cage - if it's not just wrap a bit of insulating tape round the cage with a bit of rubber or foam under if it is really loose. No excuse really for people to lose bottles especially in a race or big sportive where you could end up taking someone out.

oxoman

If you watch the TDF close enough you would be surprised how many come out of there cages. It happens but mainly bigger bottles when full.