Do you use a camelbac while riding?

[stk0308]

I use an old Camelbak straightsleeve to insulate a Platy big mouth 2L bladder.  I superglued a clip to the front of my tankbag and put the whole thing in there, running the hose up to the front left of the tankbag.  Easy to reach while rolling down the road.  I'm already wearing a JoeRocket/Forcefield backprotector so the cooling won't reach me if I wore it as a backpack.  Besides it's one less thing to put on and take off  

[Joey Stalin]

Yes I use a camelbak on long distance rides.

[Drif10]

Worn out a couple of them, I'd guess I always have one if the ride is more than just going to work. I'd prefer to have it off my back, haven't found a solution yet that'll work better.

Keep watching here, I might just find it.

[hovmaven]

I used this on my x-country effort.  Coleman six pack, 160 ounces of water/ice.  Worked well.  

[FJRmgm]

I use the fanny pack version so the bladder sits on the seat behind me and I don't have the weight on my shoulders.

The key to long distance riding or driving is KEEP HYDRATED so you don't get fatigue from dehydration

[cbsnbiker]

Reply to an old message:

Damn, where exactly was this? I'm gonna see if I can get some free gas too.

I-80, in between Salt Lake City and Bonneville, UT.

Talk about desolate!

[DrD]

I used this on my x-country effort.  Coleman six pack, 160 ounces of water/ice.  Worked well.  

You might have finished the ride if the six pack went into the motor?  

A good try, in any case.  

[hovmaven]

DNA lent me his air compressor -- said by carrying it I'd probably not get a flat.

Should have lent me a battery. . ..  

[MCRyder]

If it gets above 80 on a long ride I strap on my Camelbak.  

[cbsnbiker]

DNA lent me his air compressor -- said by carrying it I'd probably not get a flat.

Should have lent me a battery. . ..  

Man, you must be thirsty if you need an air compressor to help pump in the fluids.    

[Poustman]

Camelbak crucial; my understanding is that proper hydration calls for very regular consistent sipping, rather than big drinks every few hours.  

Anyway, I also enjoy using it.

[X1Glider]

Camelbak crucial; my understanding is that proper hydration calls for very regular consistent sipping, rather than big drinks every few hours.

Absolutely!

When you're drinking because you're thirsty, you've already started dehydrating.  The only thing you accomplish by downing a 32 oz bottle of water between gas-ups is needing to urinate not that long after you get on the road again because your body processes the water slower than it's ability to excrete it as excess waste.

Got my 1st one in'93 when I saw it in a Peformance Bicycle catalog.  2 water bottle cages getting crusted with dirt wasn't cutting it on the MTB and Texas is so freakin hot in the summer.  Wasn't long before I stared using it on the motorcycles.  My current Blowfish will handle 2 - 100 oz bladders and I use them both when dirt biking.

[FJRmgm]

I've been using a Camelbak fanny pack setup for the last couple of years.  No weight on my back and plenty of capacity.

It and my cool vest are my two hot weather riding companions.  

As all the real long distance riders know - HYDRATE OR DIE.

[Bravo12]

I always use a CamelBak in the summer months. Better to sip as you sweat and keep the balance than to chug a half gallon of water or Gator-Ade when you stop and then have to pee it out in half an hour (and still get dehydrated over the next hour or two).

[ConPilot1]

Camelbak probably saved my life on my first big trip down South. It is amazing how much water I'd consume just sipping.

There were stretches of the trip when it was very hot. Sweating in my gear, and wearing airmesh. I could imagine that you'd be looking
at serious dehydration with a matter of a couple hours. And the route we took, hell, there isn't squat on the BRP for supplies/water whatever.

I would have been well and truly f*cked on that trip without the 70 oz 'Bak.

[X1Glider]

Besides using a Camelback for riding, I typically don't fill it with just water.   On any ride that lasts all day in the Texas heat, I use Cytomax and especially on weekend or 2 week trips, it's Cytomax with a crushed potassium tablet.  I find this keeps me more hydrated than just water, more energetic and alert and the potassium keeps muscle cramps away, which is important when being in the same position all day and night over successive days.  I tend to recover better at the end of a 14 hour day and get a decent night's sleep to boot.

[jsanford]

I have an original mule and it has a chest strap, so doesn't pull on the shoulders riding.  Took it to Japan with me.  Only use it on 150+ mile days.

[black hills]

startred using one years ago on dirtbike rides, but just started using it on teh street last year. Apparently I don't catch on too fast? works great and makes a huge difference in fatigue. I typically just use water, but a friend of mine mixes 50/50 water and pedialyte(sp?), he swears by it but I can't stand the taste.

[sagerat]

I have a Mule which I use on all my multi-day trips, long day rides, and any dual sporting rides.

I can attest it's exciting to accidently bite off the valve while drinking on US 89A while riding southbound into Flagstaff, AZ.  Had my own personal rainstorm until I figured what had happened; luckily the valve was in my left glove so I pulled over to the shoulder and shoved the valve back into the tube.  

I've since learned to pay a bit more attention when shoving the bite tube into and out of my helmet.  Easy to get the Camelbak into/out of my Arai XD, but it's a real  challenge to worm it into and out of my Schuberth C-3.  

[Major 662]

I typically just use water, but a friend of mine mixes 50/50 water and pedialyte(sp?), he swears by it but I can't stand the taste.

There are better options than Pedialyte or even Gatorade (too much sugar).  I use packets of Power Pak (made by Trace Minerals Research) to restore electrolytes. You can buy a couple boxes on Amazon, and it just gives the water a bit of a citrus flavor.  Coconut water (yeah, coconut water) is even better, but there really isn't a Camelbak friendly option there.  You could however just stick a few bottles in your side bag and drink one at a rest stop.  For that, I buy in bulk at Costco.