Do I need to take water with me when I go for a ride?
We need water everyday to survive and to allow us to function well. Keeping hydrated is one of the simplest ways to support well being yet most of us agree that we probably do not drink enough water daily. So… the answer is YES you need to take water when you go for a ride.
Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.
How much water should I carry?
How much water do you need is a complex issue and is dependent on so many factors; your body weight, the duration of the ride; how fit and well you are (this can effect how much water you lose through perspiration and increased breathing rate). How hydrated were you before you set out for your ride; will you have access to water at any stage of the ride?
So let us consider what we do know:
It is suggested that we drink 33mls x our body weight of water per day. So for a 50kg person it is, 50 x 0.033 = 1.65L per day. For a 80kg person, 80kg x0.033= 2.64L per day.
This is based on an average day with no additional loss of water occurring through perspiration and increased breathing rate during exercise. Therefore if you are riding you will need additional amounts of water to compensate for the loss during exercise. Remember we receive water through many sources; eg. drinking and our food. Many foods are a great source of water especially plant foods. Some drinks like coffee and alcohol have a negative effect on your hydration and draw water out of you.
With the knowledge of;
- the duration and intensity of your ride
- your body weight,
- how fit, well and hydrated you are before you ride
- the weather conditions
Consider how much would be a sensible and safe amount for you to take with you when you go for a ride. It may be 600ml just over 2 cups for short duration rides, through to 2 or 3 Litres for longer rides. As you ride more you will start to recognise your level of fluid requirements for different durations and intensity of rides. As a rule more is better than less. You do have to carry it though so a sensible quantity is best.
What are my options for carrying water?
You basically have 2 options for carrying water. You are either carrying it on the bike in a water bottle or the rider will carry it in a hydration bladder or water bottle. Let’s looks at both of these options and understand what is the best option for you… or will you at times need to use a combination of the two?
On the Bike – Drink bottle & cage
The positives
- Weight is on the bike and not on you
- Because you are not carrying your water on your back this reduces the risk of a sore back and you are less likely to have a sweaty back.
- Easier to clean so therefore it is likely that you will clean more regularly
- A cheaper option (many of us have a drink bottle already)
The negatives
- More limited in the quantity of water you will be able to carry
- Generally you will need to stop for a drink (though it is possible to learn to remove/drink and replace the water back into the drink bottle cage while still riding)
- The drinking nozzle can get dirty (a cap will reduce this but makes it harder to drink while continuing to ride)
- You may need to remember to take your bottle off your bike and carry it with you if you stop and leave your bike unattended
Other things to consider…
- Drink bottle cages screw directly into the mount provided on your bike frame – therefore there is limited flexibility of where it can be mounted on the bike. However there are cargo cages that mount to your bike frame or front fork. They can be screwed or clamped and hold larger drink bottles 1.5L+.
- There are many different styles and sizes of drink bottles. What do you want the drink bottle to be made of? Often there is limited space inside the bike frame so you need to understand what sized drink bottle you can comfortable fit on your bike. This can be challenging with kids bikes and small adult frames.
- There are many different styles and sizes of drink cages so it is important to understand will the cage fit and hold my bottle stable. If the cage is metal will it scratch your bottle?
On the Body – Backpack or Hip Pack
The positives – hydration bladders in a backpack or hip pack
- Hydration bladders & drinking tubes are easier to drink from – so you drink more often in little sips
- Can drink while you are riding
- Less likely to pick up dirt
- Ability to carry more capacity, more water, the smallest bladders are 1.5L up to 3L
- The backpack or hip pack the hydration bladder is placed in allows you to carry additional items other than just water
The negatives
- A hydration bladder is harder to clean so less likely to clean as often
- These are more expensive options but you get more for your money and flexibility/options for other gear
- Takes a little longer to get ready, filling your bladder and placing in your backpack or hip pack
Other things to consider…
- What is the bladder made of?
- Can I comfortable carry that weight on my back/hips? Especially if I plan to carry additional items in my backpack. Hip packs place weight in a great stable position keeping you well balanced on the bike and your back free from weight
- There are many different sizes (capacity) and designs to try and meet a variety of needs, including sizes specifically designed for kids. Understand your needs so you make the ‘right’ decisions about how much weight you place on your body.
Carrying water on the body using a hydration bladder in a back pack.
The positives – hip pack with water bottles
- Bags/Hip Packs designed for carrying water bottles will have special pockets that often have additional securing methods to keep the bottle firmly in place
- A water bottle in a hip pack can be very easy to reach and pull out, it may be a bit more difficult to get back in it’s pocket
- Often there are multiple pockets so you can carry 2 water bottles well balanced on either side of your body
The negatives
- You are carrying weight on your body – though low weight (closer to the centre of your body) is the best when riding
Carrying water on the body using a water bottle in a hip pack
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Ride More Places
Bike Gear Stories
Women and families learning ...
Buying Guides
Solution Finder
Types of Riding Stories
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes. All entries receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride
Women
Padded Bike Underwear
Pants for Biking
Tops for Biking
Jackets & Over Trousers for Biking
Riding Clothing for Larger Sizes
Warmth Accessories
Bike Saddles
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Bike Gloves
Protective Padding
Bike Bells
Hydration
Handlebar Grips
Kids & Youth
Padded Bike Underwear
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Riding Clothing
Jackets for Biking/Outdoors
Protective Padding
Bike Gloves
Bike Lights
Bike Bells
Handlebar Grips
Bike Saddle
Bike Locks
Hydration
Family
Ride with a baby/ 1 year old
Ride with a 2-6 year old
Ride with a 4 + year old – on their own bike
Full Range Kids Bike Seats – Attached or Towed
Create a Family Biking Holiday
Ride More Places with Kids
Men
Padded Bike Underwear
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Bike Saddles
Bike Tops,Jackets & Over Trousers
Bike Gloves
Protective Padding
Handlebar Grips
Bike Bell
Be comfortable & confident
Successfully Ride an E-Bike
Beginner Rider
Heavy Riders – Enjoy Biking
Be Comfortable on your Bike Seat
Riding in Cooler Weather
Riding in Wet Conditions
Be Visible on the Bike
Enjoy a Biking Holiday
‘Fun Up’ the Kids Bike/Biking
goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear
Women, Mens, Youth & Kids
SHOP goUnders.
Clothing & Bags
Padded Bike Pants & Underwear
Pants & Shorts for Biking
Bike Tops
Bike Jackets
Over Trousers for Biking
Headbands & Neck Warmers for Biking
Bags, Baskets & Panniers for Biking
Rider Safety & Protection
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Bike Gloves
Protective Padding
Bike Lights
Bike Bells
First Aid & Personal Care
Hydration
Bike Tow Ropes
Bike Parts & Care
Bike Saddles
Handlebar Grips
Bike Locks
Bike Carriers
Bike & Chain Cleaning
Bike Tools & Tool Kits to Carry
Kids Bike Seats & Bikes
Rear Kids Bike Seats
Mid Kids Bike Seats
Front Kids Bike Seats
Towing Kids who ride their own Bike
Bike Trailers for Kids
Kids Balance Bikes
HIRE Kids Bike Seats
Be Comfortable & Confident
Comfort on your Bike Seat
Be Visible on the Bike
Beginner Riders
Get Started – Ride with a baby
Heavy Riders – Enjoy Biking
Riding in Cooler Weather
Riding in Wet Conditions
‘Fun Up’ the Kids Bike/Biking
Bike Path Riding
Beginner to Fitness
Multi-Day
With Kids of all Ages
Kids Riding Bikepaths
Multi-Day with Kids
Bike Path Riding Guide
Ride more Bikepaths
Mountain Biking
Women Beginner to Intermediate
Men Beginner to Intermediate
Multi-Day
With Kids of all ages
Kids Mountain Biking
Multi-Day with Kids
Mountain Biking Guide
Ride more Mountain Bike Trails
Riding in Traffic
Be Visible in Traffic
Commuting
With Kids of all Ages
Kids Riding in Traffic
E – Biking
E-Biking in Traffic
E-Biking on Bikepaths
E-Biking on MTB Trails
A Biking Holiday
E-Biking Guide
Multi-Day Riding
Multi-Day on Bike Paths
Multi-Day on MTB Trails
Multi-Day with Kids on Bike Paths
Multi-Day with Kids on MTB Trails
Multi-Day Guide
A Biking Holiday
Family Biking Holiday
Ride more Multi-Day Rides
Family Riding
Full Range Kids Bike Seats – Attached or Towed
On Bikepaths with Kids
MTB with Kids
In Traffic with Kids
Family Biking Holiday
Family Riding Guide
Ride More Places with Kids
Kids Attached or Towed Buying Guides
Rear Kids Bike Seat
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat
Front Kids Bike Seat
Towing Kids who ride their own bikes
Kids Bike Trailers
Kids & Youth Buying Guides
Kids Bike Helmets
Kids Riding Clothing
Kids Padded Bike Pants
Kids Padded Protection
Kids Handlebar Grips
Kids Balance Bike
Comfort on the Bike Buying Guides
Womens Bike Saddle
Mens Bike Saddle
Padded Bike Pants
Bike Jackets
Carrying Gear
Handlebar Grip
Hydration
Rider Safety Buying Guides
Bike Helmet
Mountain Bike Helmet
Protective Padding
Be Visible
Bike Glove
Bike Light
Mountain Bike Light
First Aid & Personal Care
Gear & Care for Bikes Buying Guides
Bike Carriers
Bike Cleaning
Bike Locks
Chain Cleaning and Lube
goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear
Women, Mens, Youth & Kids
SHOP goUnders.
Women & Families Learning
Comfort on your Bike Seat
Clothing for Biking
Family Biking
Improve your Riding
Carrying Gear
Care for ‘you’
Care for your Bike
Ride More Places
Ride more Bikepaths
Ride more NZ Cycle Trails
Ride more Mountain Bike Trails
Ride more Multi-Day Rides
Ride more Places with Kids
Riding Gear
Bike Helmets
Bike Saddles
Padded Bike Underwear & Pants
Bike Gloves
Bike Jackets
Protective Padding
Bike Locks
Bike Lights
Bike Tools to Carry
Handlebar Grips
Bike and Chain Cleaning
Kids Bike Seats & Bikes
Kids Bike Trailer
Towing kids who ride their own bike
Rear Kids Bike Seats
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seats
Front Kids Bike Seats
Balance Bike
Types of Riding
Bikepath Riding
Family Riding
E-Bike Riding
goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear
Women, Mens, Youth & Kids
SHOP goUnders.