Hydration - 2 bottles just ain't enough

[Rick]

Hey

 

I sweat quite a bit, especially when airflow slows on long climbs etc.

My seeding has improved a lot over the last year and the early starts and faster pace have definitely helped getting through on 2 bottles, but not always.

This weekend's Tour de PPA and also the Engen Dynamic last year were good examples. I hit about 15km out and i'm dry.

 

I'm keen to hear if anyone has similar issues and have good solutions to carry extra fluid that is light, comfortable and reasonably aero.

 

In short - how to carry more fluid without affecting performance (aside from the obvious weight).

 

Thanks

Edited January 16, 2012 by prisma

[Zac.A]

put a bottle in your back pocket, one of the small ones.

[Let's Ride]

Train your body too not need so much fluid while cycling.

 

Drink before you cycle. I try time when my bottle finishes and hopefully I will run out just as I'm near the end.

 

In the heat you often need more fluids and if you cannot pace yourself with regards to drinking and only using x amount per 15min then stop and quickly fill up your water bottle (not ideal).

 

I say drink drink drink before hand (but not too much).

 

You also get bigger bottles that fit in your bike cage.

 

GL.

[Zac.A]

or a seatpost mounted one. Various contraptions available there, was a thread recently...

[Capricorn]

or heaven forbid u apply some logic and use a hydration pack.

['Dale]

A few ideas:

 

Pre-race is often the most neglected.

Drink well from about 24 hrs before the race - not lots, just enough.

Sip on a bottle the morning of the event. Remember to sip, not drink.

 

Hydration during racing can be carefully managed.

500 ml per hour is roughly enough. That is about two thirds of the avg bottle.

Take small sips. Don't gulp.

 

Train with less fluid if you tend to exceed more than 500 ml an hour.

Your body can adapt.

 

If you're in need of more, fill an Energade bottle or something disposable in your jersey pocket. Pop it off at the next water point when you're dne.

 

***

 

Hope this helps!

[Rick]

put a bottle in your back pocket, one of the small ones.

 

Is this comfortable? On Sunday I used one of those 250ml gel bottles in my pocket. They are good because they are flat or oval shaped. I just worried that a round bottle would feel a bit uncomfortable. Suppose I should have tried in training and see how it feels.

[Rick]

A few ideas:

 

Pre-race is often the most neglected.

Drink well from about 24 hrs before the race - not lots, just enough.

Sip on a bottle the morning of the event. Remember to sip, not drink.

 

Hydration during racing can be carefully managed.

500 ml per hour is roughly enough. That is about two thirds of the avg bottle.

Take small sips. Don't gulp.

 

Train with less fluid if you tend to exceed more than 500 ml an hour.

Your body can adapt.

 

If you're in need of more, fill an Energade bottle or something disposable in your jersey pocket. Pop it off at the next water point when you're dne.

 

***

 

Hope this helps!

 

Your thought about the energade bottle was my very next plan.

 

I would love to drink before, but I get serious nerves before races and I find fluids just go straight through me. If I don't take a leak in the start pen I have an issue. So it's a bit of a catch 22 :/

['Dale]

 

 

Your thought about the energade bottle was my very next plan.

 

I would love to drink before, but I get serious nerves before races and I find fluids just go straight through me. If I don't take a leak in the start pen I have an issue. So it's a bit of a catch 22 :/

 

Sip, not gulp, prisma!

So, get in early enough into the chute and make a pee-pee... Or few.

Rather that than run out of fluids when you need it at the business end of racing.

 

Good luck.

[Rick]

or heaven forbid u apply some logic and use a hydration pack.

 

Listen I'm already the only guy in my category who doesn't have shaved legs, I think if I showed up the a camelbak they might disqualify me

No, jokes aside, I don't want to start a logic (camelbak) vs the world debate, lord knows there've been enough of those. I have a hard enough time sticking with the bunch as it is, I don't think I would be comfortable with something on my back while doing it. I have one and I use it for touring and MTB.

[Tiny K]

Your thought about the energade bottle was my very next plan.

 

I would love to drink before, but I get serious nerves before races and I find fluids just go straight through me. If I don't take a leak in the start pen I have an issue. So it's a bit of a catch 22 :/

 

HAHA! I did exactly what 'Dale suggested (he is my riding partner and under cover coach / dietician / mentor / etc), and pee'd 3 times before the race. It's natural. I finished a bottle between 5 and 6am (no sipping involved).

 

Once I was on the bike, no need to go at all. Just make sure you go while waiting in the start pen. Those bushes next to the start were well positioned. LOL

 

Only needed to start drinking at the 1hr mark. Before then was just a waste because of the pre-hydration.

[Tiny K]

Listen I'm already the only guy in my category who doesn't have shaved legs, I think if I showed up the a camelbak they might disqualify me

No, jokes aside, I don't want to start a logic (camelbak) vs the world debate, lord knows there've been enough of those. I have a hard enough time sticking with the bunch as it is, I don't think I would be comfortable with something on my back while doing it. I have one and I use it for touring and MTB.

 

@Capricorn, you are the weakest link, good bye.

 

Here are the rules of cycling - http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/ (there is a rule re hydration bags / camelbacks)

[Rick]

Sip, not gulp, prisma!

So, get in early enough into the chute and make a pee-pee... Or few.

Rather that than run out of fluids when you need it at the business end of racing.

 

Good luck.

 

I'll try the sip approach this weekend. Cobra is gonna be brutal on the hydration with all that climbing and this heat.

[Tiny K]

Is this comfortable? On Sunday I used one of those 250ml gel bottles in my pocket. They are good because they are flat or oval shaped. I just worried that a round bottle would feel a bit uncomfortable. Suppose I should have tried in training and see how it feels.

 

I have ridden with a tool bottle (the size of a water bottle) in my back pouch - middle pocket (for balance). You barely notice it after a very short while. Plan B is to have backup meet you at a strategic point to give you a spare bottle for the empty one.

 

I can go for 2hrs on a 750ml bottle quite easily (weather dependent - sometimes longer on cooler days). I started, like you, consuming waaay to much liquids. Your body can't absorb all of it and will eventually make you feel sluggish and bloated..... and then you will still want to drink more. Sipping about 50ml every 15min is sufficient for your body to absorb and for you not to over hydrate.

[Rick]

@Capricorn, you are the weakest link, good bye.

 

Here are the rules of cycling - http://www.velominat...blog/the-rules/ (there is a rule re hydration bags / camelbacks)

 

The rules are epic, I hadn't read that before, getting a damn good chuckle

[King_Crispy]

Then take shorter rides