Hydration on the Cape Epic

[carbon29er]

Dump question, But a few people I have talked to ride only with water in the camel packs on the epic.

I never ride with water, not even on small training rides.

 

But the other factor is, you will get tired of all the sugars each day.

 

Any one of you that have done the epic, what is your opinion on this? And what do you recommend for stage races?

 

I'am currently on High 5, or Powerbar Isoactive, but not sure if they are appropriate.

 

Thanks

You will hate the taste of whatever you choose by day 7

[niterider]

I love my camelbak. But the big ones are not necessary on the Epic. Mine takes 1.5l of energy drink, then I have one bottle with water, which got refilled at the stops if necessary. The Camelbak also gives you a convenient place to store your bombs, spare dropout, tyre boot, pump, etc. No bag rattling underneath my saddle.

 

Camelbaks are *much* easier to drink from in technical terrain. And a camelbak won't pop out when your bottle cage decides to let go (which has happened to me - try riding with one less bottle than you were planning - not fun). And getting ready in the morning is simple - grab the pack and go.

[Toxic]

I love my camelbak. But the big ones are not necessary on the Epic. Mine takes 1.5l of energy drink, then I have one bottle with water, which got refilled at the stops if necessary. The Camelbak also gives you a convenient place to store your bombs, spare dropout, tyre boot, pump, etc. No bag rattling underneath my saddle.

 

Camelbaks are *much* easier to drink from in technical terrain. And a camelbak won't pop out when your bottle cage decides to let go (which has happened to me - try riding with one less bottle than you were planning - not fun). And getting ready in the morning is simple - grab the pack and go.

 

Thanks for this info. I have a 3 liter camelbag and my wife has a 2 liter camelbag. I will use my wifes camel bag by the sounds of it. I have a dually, and the second bottle cage behind seat is always a mission with loosing bottles.

[arendoog]

 

Only benefit of a camelbak is it's easier to drink and you can do it going up or down. Bottles are finnicky.

 

But to start the day with 3 litres of liquid as Blitzer suggests is just crazy, if you need 3l of liquid before the 1st water point and between water points maybe you shouldn't be doing the epic?

I only carry 2 lites in Camelbak ,mixed with 2 sachets of rehydrat or weak game mix and I bottle with endurance mix like octane .If I lose the bottle it is not a big deal .Losing you bottle in a100 km stage in the first 5 km really sucks