OK, so I have an idea in my head that I want to do a bit of bikepacking tomorrow, before the sun does a bit of its own for about 6 months.

I have all the kit I need (I think 😐 ), except any means of purifying water (and I don’t fancy the squits). It’s a 50 mile ride out into the back of beyond, so I’m thinking water is good. Can anyone recommend a reasonable means of cleaning it up before I drink it. And by reasonable I mean something I can purchase tomorrow…possibly in Tesco, ASDA, the off-licence, etc?

you could try this: http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9701967776/m/60219862101

I’d be more comfortable with a somewhat more traditional method of hydration.

just drink from a descent flowing water source.

just drink from a descent flowing water source.

Is that safe to do? As a child I used to drink out of puddles. Now, as an adult, the internet tells me I shouldn’t drink out of rivers because it’s full of sheeps poo and parasites will eat my insides.

Is that safe to do?

hasnt killed me yet and Im getting over my diphtheria and Hepatitis…

Boil some?

My son and I used chlorine tablets (1 per litre, left for 30 mins) and then to get rid of the swimming pool flavour we then popped in the neutralising tablets (1 per litre, left for 5 mins).

We sterilized about 8 litres over the 3 days and no ill effects (although I’m not sure we’d have had any anyway). Water tasted great!

I got them from Cotswold outdoors for about £10 all-in, which was probably completely over the odds.

Might be worth checking if there’s something you can do with Miltons, but I don’t know how you could neutralise the flavour.

Ben

Stoner +1

looking at Miltons site: http://www.milton-tm.com/caravanning_and_camping.html

Drinking water
Add half a teaspoon (2.5 ml) of Milton Sterilising Fluid to every 5 litres of drinking water. Let it stand for 15 minutes before drinking.

http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product433.asp?PageID=40

Me and my mates have used the above all over the world, although the biggest challenge it’s faced was probably drinking from the basingstoke canal! Suffice to say, none of us have ever been ill.

You can get the newer version from Aquaguards website which has a slightly changed large debris filter. I think it’s slightly cheaper too.

No good for today, but for next time get a Travel Tap.

Same people as Ewan links to above, but it’s a water bottle.
They do a model which fits in a bottle cage (you might have to email them).

Perfect.
http://www.drinksafe-systems.co.uk/products.php

In the UK then flowing sources should be fine. Water is full of stuff, the more you get into your system the more your system accepts it as normal. (*However this may go badly wrong if you have been living in a sterile environment)

I have used an MSR water filter in the UK and alps really good simple and easy to use. (not available in asda)

YOu could just find somewhere to put one of those britta water jugs

lifesaver bottle?

ive not got one, but watched this TED video about a year ago.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzdBCxZhKpQ[/video]