On my spin out today, the number of cyclists on really nice bikes made me think that with all the money washing around amateur cycling, have we got to the stage where there are reports of amateur cyclists throwing their empty bidon away mid-ride?

I’m not talking about amateur races, I mean just a casual Sunday ride, for example.

I’m not knocking it either, if anyone has done it, well why not?

Actually I might try it next time I’m out and am near other cyclists (I’ll go back and get it later, obviously)

eh? what would be the point? is their mum waiting up the road with a replacement ?

Even if it’s not true I’m prepared to get outraged at the hypothetical possibility that it could be a thing.

I’m thinking just for effect? Another marginal gain for the pro look? 😉

Actually, the idea of a family member or friend with a food bag is another good idea.

What’s a bidon?

So to be clear you haven’t seen it happen, not sure if it is happening but think it might be?

Ha, it’s a water bottle.

It’s a waterbottle, I don’t know why the OP didn’t say water bottle, perhaps they’re French.

Mike- yes, it’s just conjecture at this stage.

seen bottle by the side of the road? Occasionally see one here or there but that would normally be down to dropping it by mistake or bouncing out of the cage

I’ve seen parents teaching kids to do this at u8 and above circuit mtb races.

Inappropriate IMO.

Thanks Kryton, I thought it would be done at some level. Everything pro seems to filter through.
I agree with you, if people are teaching their kids that, then it’s not right!

Km79, you’ve come away with a bit of French so you got something out of this:)

watched a rider leave two water bottles at the bottom of Ditchling Beacon before strava-ing the shit out of the climb*
considered moving them a bit, for bantz

*hardly bothering the leaderboard

Im just confused why is called a bidon?

Are they teaching them the proper hurling a bidon technique..?
I bet they arent.. amateurs!

ugarizza – Member
Thanks Kryton, I thought it would be done at some level. Everything pro seems to filter through.
I agree with you, if people are teaching their kids that, then it’s not right!

But it’s massively different doing it in a closed circuit race where people picking them up to a road. Though please pop back when you see somebody actually doing it….

Im glad I wasn’t the only one who thought whats a bidon? Is it related to bidet i.e squirty bottle?

They’ve been throwing inner tubes away for years, probably cost about the same as a bottle.

Snipers. It’s the only way.

I hang them in trees beside the bags of dog shit.

There’s a triathlon around Cannock Chase every year. Water bottles (bidon-shaped) get handed out at Marquis Drive. If you grab a bottle, what are you supposed to do with it if your two cages are already occupied by empties?

what are you supposed to do with it if your two cages are already occupied by empties?

Exchange one of the empties for the full one? Or is that too difficult?

Too difficult at speed, yes. That’s why you might throw one away.

Or are you suggesting I’m hard of thinking? 😉

I’m no triathlete but surely there is a large bin or something you can chuck your empty into before grabbing a replacement? Those empties can then be cleaned and reused next race handed out full?

So are we talking about about closed circuit racing or littering here?

I’m finding it difficult to be outraged about something that doesn’t actually seem to be happening.

‘m finding it difficult to be outraged about something that doesn’t actually seem to be happening.

Your obviously not trying hard enough.

km79 – Member
What’s a bidon?

It’s a fancy word to use instead of gourde

Im just confused why is called a bidon?

It’s French. It’s meant to make you sound superior to others. It’s actually very pretentious.

There’s a triathlon around Cannock Chase every year. Water bottles (bidon-shaped) get handed out at Marquis Drive. If you grab a bottle, what are you supposed to do with it if your two cages are already occupied by empties?

Triathlons are notoriously tough for littering, instant expulsion from the race if a marshal spots you discarding bottle or gel wrapper outside a feed zone. It is a shame most other events are not half as strict.

I was disgusted at all the co2 canisters left on the road by lazy litterbug cyclists until I recently found out it’s kids whizzing Laughing gas 😳

My use of the word bidon is getting a bit of a hammering 🙂

In my defence, I thought it would be de rigeur on a cycling forum.

Oh #@#@, I’ve done it again!

My local circuit race has a complete ban on throwing water bottles. Riders used to do it in the last few laps to “save weight” as they built up to get their prestigious 27th place in the sprint. Then one hit the fence, bounced back into the road and took out half a dozen riders.

Instant DQ if you’re seen throwing it no matter how “careful” you are. Start with a bottle = finish with a bottle.

What’s a bidon?

It’s what French people, professional cyclists and pricks call water bottles.

I’m assuming the OP is in one or other of the first two categories…

Im running low on bidons, where was this op so I can go & collect them?

Ha, I stand by the use of bidon and am neither French nor a pro.
I’ll ignore the other category 🙂

I wouldn’t use the word at home, or even with the people I ride with.

But I secretly like it and have no shame about that, I just need to be more careful about where I use it 🙂

(@oldtalent – I don’t know but if I find out, they’re mine! Could be like used golf balls on a course if it takes off)

Im just confused why is called a bidon?

Same reason hat is chapeau and peloton is, er…

Anyway as for bidons, I couldn’t care less what you call them, but discarding them is littering.

Like this?