People who ride without backpacks, how??? solutions on longer days please

rigid bone shaker here …

only issues ive ever had with bottles coming out was a fleeting attempted i had with carbon cages on my race bikes…. a mistake not to be repeated.

blackburn mtn cage has never dropped a bottle for me yet.

but then i just mince around the woods near the house not daring venture near mountains and im totally un prepared for finding my gears are slightly out of index.

I find using an Osprey ‘bum-bag’ does me for most decent length rides.
2 x 500ml bottles and enough room for a tube, lightweight waterproof, bit of fruit and a few tools.
For longer days I add a frame bag and another bottle on the frame.

This:

+ this:

I had seen them, they look a bit odd, and I cant imagine they stay still do they? would it not just cause lower back pain as well?

I’ve always wondered why folks take a 3 litre hydration pack to Bike Park Wales. Is it in case they have to do the climb during the drivers lunch break?

Food and tools are small enough, and water goes on the frame. But I need space for clothing, especially this time of year I need a decent jacket and maybe a spare layer but won’t be wearing it much of the time.

I’ve always wondered why folks take a 3 litre hydration pack to Bike Park Wales. Is it in case they have to do the climb during the drivers lunch break?

maybe it’s not full? maybe it’s a make-do back protector? maybe they get really thirsty? maybe they’re carrying the kit, spare layers and tools for their mates?

For those who use bottles and bottle cages, how do you get round this?

I use a standard 1l squash bottle which is a tight fit in a slightly enclosed cage (not the open metal loop kind). Its a bit tricky to get out so only useful when stopped, but it doesn’t fall out when riding. Tools in a seat pack with a safety cable. Only for short rides though. Longer/wilder rides I prefer to be self sufficient and cover as many bases as possible so I’ll take a pack. More to prevent a ruined day than relying on the rescue services, though

How on earth do you guys manage 4-5 hour rides on only two bottles of water?! I got through a couple of litres just doing a loop of cannock at the weekend. Admittedly I tend to drink far more at the start of a ride than towards the end.

I’ve always wondered why folks take a 3 litre hydration pack to Bike Park Wales

As someone who has taken a 3 litre hydration pack to Bike Park Wales, for me it’s because even going downhill I get thirsty and I’d rather have plenty of drink on me than keep going back to the car/cafe. Also my pack has a built in back protector and if you’ve seen me ride you’ll know I need all the protection I can get 😆

I could manage without, but the inconvenience of wearing a sack is outweighed by the convenience of having it.

I had seen them, they look a bit odd, and I cant imagine they stay still do they? would it not just cause lower back pain as well?

^ the weight is taken on your hips more than anything with packs like that, a lot more comfy than a backpack and they stay in place surprisingly well, still a wee bit sweaty at times, but nowhere near as bad as a full pack.

How on earth do you guys manage 4-5 hour rides on only two bottles of water?! I got through a couple of litres just doing a loop of cannock at the weekend. Admittedly I tend to drink far more at the start of a ride than towards the end.

Some people just drink less. I drink before, and drink lots after too, but not that much when actually riding unless really hot.

Anything <1hr I don’t take water at all, 1-2hrs I’ll take a bottle in spring/summer, winter I often don’t bother, if I do I won’t drink more than a mouthfull or two.

Longer rides or very hot in summer then yes you need more but two 750ml bottles is fine for 100 miles on the road, and most of a day offroad for me.

For summer, it’s easy, just a summer roadie jersey under the usual baggy, with all the tools in. If it’s a big day out, I can use a sqeezy spare bottle that packs down to nothing which I drink first, and just run a normal bottle on the bike.

I cannot stand a backpack, the sweaty midget trying to strangle me feelin isn’t much fun.

I guess I’m fortunate in that I don’t need to drink much when exercising.

Managed a 70km EWS loop with about a litre of water.

This time of year presents a bit more of a challenge, as I may need some form of jacket if the weather turns, if it’s a big loop I just have to accept I need to take a pack, and them grumble about it all the way round.

I guess I’m fortunate in that I don’t need to drink much when exercising.

It’s a bit of a self fulfilling thing. I need to drink lots, so i’ll take lots of water, which is heavy, and makes me sweaty and thirsty.
So i need to drink lots. I’m guessing that wearing a few kilos of armour and gnarrcore enduro kit plus baggies doesn’t help…….. 😉

Saddle packs are a no for me, fuel tank packs are miles better.

Having filled up my bottle in a stream, only to find a dead sheep in said stream 100 yards up, I’m less keen on that approach!

For long rides I just use camelback, for 2hrs or so I find one bottle plenty.

Bumbags are very helpful, I take one on nearly all my off road rides. I know I could stick a lot of kit on the bike, but I like that when I get off the bike it’s all on me. Especially things like a hipflask…

Camelbak or similar is very useful if you want to carry things like spare clothes, spare gloves, hat/buff, glasses etc. I was glad to have mine at Swinley as I could store my layer, it started off pretty chilly but I was so warm part way through I ended up riding with just a baselayer. Could have used a bumbag, but the extra emergency space is handy and I find the bumbag bounces quite a bit of bumpy sections

Bumbag and bottles is my usual set up for local riding

Apidura bar bag or frame bag for spare clothing, top tube pack for your tools etc, and perhaps one of their new food pouch thingy’s for a bottle which i have just ordered, i have a similar Aplkit designed thingy but it wobbles about a fair bit as it doesn’t have the lower stabilisation strap.

Apidura food pouch thingy

I’ve always used an osprey pack regardless of how long or short my mountain biking trips are as I like to carry the right kit more so if I’m out in the middle of nowhere.

But recently I’ve been having problems with my shoulders so bought a camelbak palos 4lr lumber pack 😉

and its actually quite comfortable with minimal movement and carries enough water for 2+ hour rides and still carry spare tubes and co2 and other bits and bobs

And its great having the freedom of movement again but not sure about using it for when I’m up in the mountains as I always carry a bothy bag and spare clothing if I get in the shit

My arkel seatpack is pretty bombproof. Long lasting as well. My current one I’ve had for 4 years and it has done a Kielder 100, a couple of three peaks, Glentress 7, Kielder Marathons, C2C, sandstone way and loads of other long of road rides.

Would still struggle to get two 29er tubes in it along with spares. Then there is the question of a pump. By the time you attach that lot to the frame and a water bottle or two, I’d simply carry a minimalist pack and not over fill it.

My roadie stuff is much smaller. Pump is smaller, tubes are smaller, jacket is smaller (as it doesn’t need to withstand brambles and gorse) and things break less on a roadie so you don’t need as many spares and tools).

I also think there is a certain irony on taking off a backpack only to fill your pockets full of stuff instead. Jerseys aren’t great at carrying weight – rucksacks are better for all day rides.

You could look at a waist pack. I have a dakine hot laps which I bought for hitting the trails on my steed* when saddle bags weren’t available.

*I don’t own my own horse and when I go on holiday tack is variable. Some places you are fine but things do tend to fly out of saddle bags in canter unless they close well and the buckles are working – so I prefer a back up option.

Don’t bother carrying any kit, food or water at all. I’m sure your friends will happily lend/carry whatever you need in their bags. Personally I never have a problem lending my tubes/tools/drink/pump/snacks to my riding mates as it means they can enjoy their ride so much more with a fresh back. I never get mad, angry or pissed off when they ask to shove their jacket in my bag, no siree, not one little bit (grins manically and picks up the big adjustable spanner).

On a serious note, I’ve not managed to find an alternative to a backpack that I prefer for long rides. Shorter rides I just chuck minimal kit (tube, pump, patches, levers and tool) in pockets and drink loads before I go out for a few hours.

I’ve always wondered why folks take a 3 litre hydration pack to Bike Park Wales. Is it in case they have to do the climb during the drivers lunch break?

I’m not pedaling it anywhere and it’s reasonably small, so it doesn’t bother me. It means I don’t have to take a break if I want a drink, and I stand more chance of fixing anything that goes wrong on the hill and not wasting uplift time walking down.

For the rest of the time, I prefer not having a bag but most of the time it means I can just grab it and know everything is there. It actually does a very effective job of holding the basics for a ride, a couple of extra bits for long rides that are too much effort to unpack and having the space for something like a spare layer if I want it. In the winter it also means I can put a flask in my bottle cage and have tea/coffee available for the first hour or so.

I’ve always wondered why folks take a 3 litre hydration pack to Bike Park Wales. Is it in case they have to do the climb during the drivers lunch break?

Some people only own one bag, they take it with them. General thing I found with uplifts (and an increased risk of crashing) was nowt in pockets unless you want a bruise there…

I picked up a small camelback for that reason that does water, keys, tool, pump and tube but not much else so if I want a jacket or extra pads I just take the big one.

i’ve wondered why folks take a 3 litre hydration pack to Bike Park Wales. Is it in case they have to do the climb during the drivers lunch break?

It’s a squid ‘identifier’.

Good for highlighting which trails to avoid being held up on, pick the one they don’t go down 😉

I had seen them, they look a bit odd, and I cant imagine they stay still do they? would it not just cause lower back pain as well?

They stay still fine, they rest more on the hips anyway. People tend to do them up too tight and cinch them tight across their belly, needs to be a little lower to be comfortable. Also, the side straps/pockets are pretty wide, giving more support.

I’ve used mine on all day, 50+ mile offroad rides with no problems.

How on earth do you guys manage 4-5 hour rides on only two bottles of water?

Depends on pace, but if you’re not racing just drink well before and after the ride, for the rest 1.5l is plenty unless it’s that one day a year when it’s actually hot : ) I rarely use more than 750ml for a decent length ride in winter unless I use another 750ml as carbs drink i/o normal food.

Nothing against backpacks, if they’re under 2.5-3kg total inc water. Much nicer to ride without one though, especially off-road when you’re moving about a lot more.

I use an older version of this:

http://www.camelbak.com/en/International/Sports-Recreation/Packs/Palos-4-LR.aspx

It has a bladder in and room for pretty much all the basics plus a light weight jacket or top. Sits on the hips well and doesnt move around.

Specialized SWAT or Raceface stash bib shorts. I have some SWAT bibs…fit a 2nd bottle, multi-tool, co2, small box of tricks(chain link/tyre boot/patches/tubeless repair/cable ties/small tape roll) and phone in body pockets, and bar, gel, emergency blanket in leg pockets. Spare pockets in jersey for extra layer, banana, etc if needed.

This will probably rumble on like the Baggies V Lycra debate, so I’m not getting involved.

The ONLY thing I will say is…………. Please be careful filling up water bottles in streams at any time of year especially after the farmer has dipped his flock of sheep, 💡

Self induced projectile vomiting and stomach cramp and Mountain Biking do not mix, and mountain rescue DO NOT extract bikes off the hill.

Just sayin

How on earth do you guys manage 4-5 hour rides on only two bottles of water?

For me carrying water is a non-issue I can ride 3-4 hours with one of those 250 ml soft bottles just squash it and re-seal as it’s used. I used to drink gallons because I thought it was the right thing to do but not any more

And although like most people I look after my bike I like to carry enough bits to get me back from anywhere and even if I don’t use them, knowing I *could* get back gives me peace of mind and encourages me to ride further

It seems like for a lot of people part of “being fine without a bag” involves turning to people who have bags. Oh can I borrow a pump/tube/tool/can I put my jacket in your bag? In racing it’s pretty common even from random strangers and it’s never their fault, “oh mate have you got any spare water? I never usually need it but the organisers have ****ed up the feed stops” I’m a nice guy generally so I just moan about it on the internet but it’s getting more and more common and I’m saying no more often… Especially in races where they’re getting the advantage of not carrying stuff.

Not everyone of course, plenty of people are fine with it but it seems like a lot of people doing it are fashion victims or intentional spongers.

daveatextremistsdotcouk – Member

I’ve always wondered why folks take a 3 litre hydration pack to Bike Park Wales. Is it in case they have to do the climb during the drivers lunch break?

Mine is a 2 litre but it makes no difference really. I usually wear a bag on uplifts, it’s no hardship and it means I’m never that dude that misses the bus because he went back to the car park for a drink (which applies more at BPW where the uplift doesn’t start anywhere near the cafe…). No, I’m the dude on the bus eating a cake. I’ve been glad of it for fixing flats and minor mechanicals rather than wasting runs, and so have plenty of other people.

But again, depends how you uplift, I think most folks are more happy to waste time than I am, I’m quick runs and straight off the hill into the bus/gondola/whatever, whenever possible, time is money!

FWIW the last season i did any racing (ha, bimbling around at the back of the field!) i stopped to bail out some poor bugger walking back to the finish about 3km after the last feed (and 6-7 k to the finish)

He’d got no pump or spare tube in his camelback.

I had CO2 and two tubes. In my saddle bag…..

https://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-mini-filter/

Useful for long MTB rides, touring, saving money and plastic waste at trade shows or in airports, etc. ~£25.

No, I’m the dude on the bus eating a cake.

🙂

Non camlbak users come to regret their decision I find on long or multi day MTB events. I see their only hydration at the bottom of rocky descents and its 35 degrees plus. Your out for 80 – 100km anywhere and lose your water bottle …. See it a lot. Bags under seats also strewn across the trail or tools etc from pockets. Also they get covered in crap under the seat. Certainly not had to buy water bottles for a very long time 😀 Also I carry first aid (for me but its been used in ager twice on others) as well and waterproof jacket for the obvious but also for when I or someone else comes off or faffing to keep warm, if you ever have a hard crash and its cold you will know how quickly you cool down.

How much water depends on conditions. I did 8 hours on Saturday – 75 miles of CX across moors around Blanchland. Carried 1L of water, came back with some. It was cold so I wasn’t drinking much.

Last summer in the Dolomites I was climbing mountains in 40+C. I was getting through about 8 750ml bottles in 100miles and still dehydrating.

In the UK in summer I can manage 5 or 6 hours riding on 1.5L. You get used to it after a while. Reduces the number of toilet stops and lowers your climbing weight.

For the 3pks I carried my water in a pack for fear of losing it (and it makes it easier to get your arm through the frame. In mtb marathons I tend to have one bottle on the bike with energy and then a bladder with 1L in a small backpack. Hedge my bets in case I lose one.

@Pawsey – where are you based? From *35C+* it certainly doesn’t sound like the UK 8)

I’m in UK, that was Trans Rockies and Cape Town where it hit 47 degrees. In Stellenbosh MTB we started early at 0530 when it was a cool 22, by 11:30 it was plus 35 by which time I was heading for the cool of the cafe! Back to Joberg in April Msy for Joberg to coast nine day MTB race. Rockies got to 38 one day.

If your only drinking 1.5 Lts in 5 to 6 hours your not drinking enough and limiting your power. Yes as you get fitter you need less but I’d suggest a tad more and you will go faster and recover quicker. Don’t forget to take on ‘fuel’ as well every hour.

I also find it a damn site easier to hydrate sipping through my camlbak tube than trying to reach down and then drink taking my eyes off the trail. Not to mention one hand. Takes a second to flip it into mouth and hand back on the bars eyes ahead and sip away.

Like so many subjects to me this seems to be people resorting to hyperbole as justification.

“how do you bottle people manage on 800 mile rides in 95 degree heat?”

Most people don’t do 50+ miles for an average ride. Most people do 15-20 (at most!), and take a few hours over it. It’s rarely hot in the UK. It’s rarely far from a source of clean water in the UK. Pockets hold stuff.

For these reasons I am happy using a single bottle for my riding in the UK. I have done the South Downs Way, was out for 9.5 hours, one bottle was fine. I knew there were places to refill it. I ride the Surrey Hills, I know I can do 50 miles around there (not that I often do) with a single bottle because there are places to refill it. I’m confident that a single tube, a tyre boot, a small Topeak pump and a multi tool will get me out of trouble. If that’s insufficient (touch wood it never has been) then I can get home on the road/call someone to come and get me.

I have never asked anyone else for help. I’ve never asked anyone to carry anything for me, nor would I expect them to. I don’t bother with a jacket or other spare clothing, I look at the forecast and make a decision based on that. I may be a bit warm sometimes, very very occasionally a bit cold, but meh. Arm warmers can unobtrusively be tucked up a short leg, or under a jersey if you’re really warm and pockets are full.

This would not be my attitude were I heading out into the mountains, where that could be irresponsible. I know a lot of people on here do live in more remote places, but a lot of people ride trail centres or areas like the Surrey Hills or Cannock where it’s really not so much of an issue. They just want a massive bag with everything in. That’s fine. You’re better prepared than me for extreme eventualities, but there’s no reason to be disparaging to others who don’t think it necessary to take such measures. If you’re really using 3 spare mech hangers a year then I’d look at fixing the root cause, not dealing with the symptoms!

What do you mean by hyperbole?

800 miles in 95 degree heat………….

mean while over in bottle corner i delight in filling my bottles and being away before they have untangled them selves from their camelback and tried to get the bladder out to fill it.

plus one for what njee says as well.