Drinking and riding.

I was browsing through the accessories section today looking at the on-bike
drink options and the different Camelbak back packs. I find that wearing a
backpack cuts down the airflow through my jacket and makes me less comfortable
on hot days than I would be without it. Do the backpack style hydration packs
cause that much discomfort out on the road on hot days? I saw a bumbag style
hydration pack which I thought would be a better option, the downside being
that the 1.5lt capacity is only about half that of the backpacks. Comments or
opinions?

Nev..
'02 CBR1100XX #2

 

A Camelbak was one of the best accesories ever for MTBing. It's proven
pretty good on the moto as well.
It's amazing how much regular hydration can increase comfort on a hot day.
I stuff the camelbak bladder in my tank bag with the hose just sticking out.
It'sa easy to pull out, fits under the helmet chin piece and slides back
into the bag.
The camelbak is the more expensive option but from experience I'd say it has
a far superior bladder. Those platypus ones aren't really strong enough.

I rode across death valley in the middle of summer and stayed fairly
comfortable, I got off at one point for fuel and didn't even start filling
before I realised I might pass out in my leathers without the airflow. I
only just made it to Vegas on the rest of the tank.

 

If the loss of airflow through your jacket is a main concern, you might find
that wearing the Camelbak on the inside of your jacket is a better option.

If it fits and if it's comfortable. Putting the bladder in the tank bag seems like
a good option, too.

 

I find stopping at pubs works well!

 

I have a friend who is a competition bicycle rider and won't touch one
of those backpack water bottles with a 10 foot pole. He reckons they
gunk up really badly with all sorts of bacterial and other nasties.

anyway...thats his opinion

Mike

 

Considering your record Nev, you should not consider riding and
drinking. Think of the state of the helmet liner!

Cheers
Goaty

 

fill it with vodka instead. (or metho, the poor mans vodka)
that ought to kill all the nasties.

perhaps if you could acquire some ethanol....

probably not all that good for re-hydration factor though

 

I put mine in the tankbag.

Boxer

 

Only fill them with water, once you've put anything else in they'll
never be the same. I've seen some gunk up, but mine never has.

If you pinch the side walls together and they stick the bladder is
clean, if it feels 'slimey' give it a wash.
Every now and then run a cable inner with a tiny piece of cloth tied
to the end through the tube to clean out the goo.

 

What's wrong with stopping ever 250- 300 k's to refuel and drink, I don't
think 2-21/2 is to long between drinks unless you are on the piss.

 

That's what you sit on Pat, at the moment, its helpfully filled with foam!

Adrian
CT-110

 

It would help if he cleans it every so often! I've got a pipe cleaner kit which I find camelbak now sells.
Little plastic bristled brush on some thin wire works a treat.