On my longer rides I'll wear my hydration pack. I'm not ashamed to use it, I know some roadies are against such devices, the same roadies that shave their legs I suspect. When a ride goes longer than 2 hours 2 water bottles aren't enough. Now that the temperature is consistantly in the 100's the water in the bottles is probably too hot to quench your thirst. Thus I fill my pack up with water and ice and it stays cool on my longest rides.
The only problem I have is the first swig is usually hot. This happens because the water that is in the tube hasn't had the cooling benefitst that the liner of the pack offers, it has been oxposed to the heat. It ususally takes a couple pulls from the tap to get to the cooler water. You can spit the warm water out. What I typically do is after I take my last drink while I still have the mouthpiece in my mouth I'll blow the water back into the pack. Then the next time I take a drink the water is nice and cool.
Jun 19, 2008 at 5:43 PM Hey, I've ridden with a hydropack and my legs are a smooth as a - well, I guess they are a little stubbly today... :)
I just prefer bottles to a pack on my back. For long rides, I just stop and fill them somewhere. I even carry sports-drink powder for the refills.
When I do ride long distances without being able to re-fill, I use a CamelBak Rocket. It's the perfect size/shape.
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Jun 20, 2008 at 8:27 AM Arlyn, have you ridden with a hydropack in an actual race? I'll carry 1 bottle of Heed along with a spare with just the powder so I can refill. In my pack I carry 1 to 2 other fixings for more bottles if needed. I like the pack just because in 100+ degree heat I'm more prone to dropping my bottle. I also notice I tend to hydrate better when I have the pack, especially on group rides.
Jun 20, 2008 at 8:55 AM The only sanctioned races I've done are short - crits and a TT. The guy who's "won" the local Alpine Challenge (http://www.alpinechallenge.com/) for the past two years uses a hydropak - and he has hairy legs! Great guy too.