I’m an avid Church go’er me.
I set off on long rides with only one 750ml bottle, call me a dick/ponce/prancing horse/idiot/fashion victim/support car refugee..
I then stop at Churchs, often there is a tap (mentioned) near the rear of the building in the edge of the graveyard for folks to water flowers/plants etc. And this trick has been the saviour for me on hot rides for years.
Failing that I stop off at Garages, if you ask nicely they let you take your bike in and I’ve never known anyone refuse a request so far, often you get a “how far you been?” question too. failing that by Law all Garages should have a tap available for the Firebrigade (BIL is a Fireman) and I’ve used this if I can’t be bothered to go into the shop.
I have filled out of running streams before now. Most in the South Downs run over chalk and you can see how clear and running the water is, haven’t died yet.
Sometime I take tabs with me, but I’ve tended not to these days.
So as an example yesterday I did Raphas “Hell of the North” 100k’s. Starting in Highgate running up into Herts and back to Barnet. It was hot, I took one bottle (normal) and found two Garages along the route and filled up along the way, took my bike in one, found the tap at the other.
I never drink fizzy “pop” Coke/Dr Pepper/Lemonade no nothing, does my gut in. I can see why folks do it, sugary sweetness and all that but as mentioned above I too fall fowl to the suger overload and almost vom.
Stopping off at Pubs and Cake holes is a no no for me too. I’m out to race and pace myself not hang around chatting about what tyres or pressures I’m using, what bar tape or even discuss tan lines. I hate that type of banter, pretentious wannabies.
HTH