- 3,460
- Hollywood
Even time triallers use bottles in cages, perfectly normal to do it in a race.
The biking thread
- Thread starter Bram Turismo
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- Belgium
- bramturismo
How does it seem odd? It's the easiest place to store hydration on your bike as it's easily accessible. If 2 bottles aren't enough, you can always carry even more in the pockets on the back of your cycling shirt like most outfits have. I even take a small backpack if I'm spending 3-4 hours on the bike and I need some food as well. Because I think energy bars are horribly overpriced, I just make some sandwiches or some pasta for during the ride.
- 3,460
- Hollywood
Hearing good things about these - fluid and energy gel in one place.
- 3,321
- United States
- GTP_Sam48
Considering it's my job to reinvent and design new methods or products, I guess I'm just surprised no one's found a more fluid way of becoming hydrated during a race. I guess this might be a good time and place for me to improve this. I've got quite a few ideas.
- 3,460
- Hollywood
Hydration packs are the best things are going to get, but bottles still work just fine. Carrying two bottles means you can have one water, one electrolyte drink, and they don't create much drag when they are fitted so close to the frame.
- 30,033
- Thailand
I find I don't often use the water cage and usually just make a quick stop at the end of my journey for a bottle of water which I down in one go. Sometimes I'll stop mid trip if it's a hot day but I make sure to neck 2 litres ten minutes before I get out the door. That usually does the trick.
If I'm carrying a pack, however, as most of the time I am, I slip either a bottle of Gatorade in there or, if I have cold water in the fridge and it's a hot day, I rig up my custom made (bodged) hydration pack which I made with a bottle and some plastic tubing from an aquarium store. My pack has a hydropack pouch against the back and an opening for the tub at the top.
If I'm carrying a pack, however, as most of the time I am, I slip either a bottle of Gatorade in there or, if I have cold water in the fridge and it's a hot day, I rig up my custom made (bodged) hydration pack which I made with a bottle and some plastic tubing from an aquarium store. My pack has a hydropack pouch against the back and an opening for the tub at the top.
- 6,005
- Finland
Considering it's my job to reinvent and design new methods or products, I guess I'm just surprised no one's found a more fluid way of becoming hydrated during a race. I guess this might be a good time and place for me to improve this. I've got quite a few ideas.
Specialized makes the Shiv triathlon bike which uses the frame itself as the "bottle". Why the idea hasn't spread to other models I don't know, might have something to do with the UCI rules or just the lack of room in a normal road frame.
ExigeEvan
Premium
- 17,192
Greycap
Lack of space and difficulty to replenish during a race. Remember that domestiques will shuttle water bottles up and down throughout the race. Also remember that cyclists will dispose of bottles later in the race or on climbs for weight, it would mean drinking the whole reservoir to empty it and not losing any weight!
- 30,033
- Thailand
You could use a Camelbak in a race but I think 2 water bottles in cages should be enough. It's up to you what you put in them.
As for energy boost, how about some M&Ms in you jersey back pocket? Easy to eat, full of lovely sugar and tasty. Even a good old oat & fruit bar would do the trick, just a little something to stop you completely bonking if you've got the hammer down.
I carry tubes like these everywhere when I cycle. You can even use them for nuts and stuff when you've eaten all the M&Ms,
On the subject of food, since I've spent most of the last years powering my bike with junk food and beer and have only recently turned to decent, home cooked food I have noticed a massive improvement in my power, stamina and speed. Yesterday on the way home from a Sunday roast (40km total trip) I was managing to power up hills that before I would just ride normally, over taking buses in the 50 zone and going downhill well to fast to not be wearing a lid!
I had one close call when a car decided he would stop randomly without warning. I wasn't tailgating but at ~50kph the distance closes fast. I looked over and notice the next lane was free so made for it while still on the brake. Well, the road took a turn for the worse and I hit some ripples in the tarmac making it hard to regulate the brakes. I made it past the stopped car into the next lane by inches and really gave myself a bit of a fright. It certainly is a way to feel alive, God I love riding city roads.
As for energy boost, how about some M&Ms in you jersey back pocket? Easy to eat, full of lovely sugar and tasty. Even a good old oat & fruit bar would do the trick, just a little something to stop you completely bonking if you've got the hammer down.
I carry tubes like these everywhere when I cycle. You can even use them for nuts and stuff when you've eaten all the M&Ms,
On the subject of food, since I've spent most of the last years powering my bike with junk food and beer and have only recently turned to decent, home cooked food I have noticed a massive improvement in my power, stamina and speed. Yesterday on the way home from a Sunday roast (40km total trip) I was managing to power up hills that before I would just ride normally, over taking buses in the 50 zone and going downhill well to fast to not be wearing a lid!
I had one close call when a car decided he would stop randomly without warning. I wasn't tailgating but at ~50kph the distance closes fast. I looked over and notice the next lane was free so made for it while still on the brake. Well, the road took a turn for the worse and I hit some ripples in the tarmac making it hard to regulate the brakes. I made it past the stopped car into the next lane by inches and really gave myself a bit of a fright. It certainly is a way to feel alive, God I love riding city roads.
- 1,457
- Exeter
- Emptyone-77
*Insert Fanboy*
Cancellara is amazing, won Paris-Roubaix yesterday, meaning he's won 3 World Tour events in three weekends!!!
Linky
Such a great example of a rider, hope he's innocent of doping
/Fanboy
Meanwhile, for me it's still stupidly cold to cycle in, though it's getting slightly better. Can't take mudguards off as it's Britain in April either
Cancellara is amazing, won Paris-Roubaix yesterday, meaning he's won 3 World Tour events in three weekends!!!
Linky
Such a great example of a rider, hope he's innocent of doping
/Fanboy
Meanwhile, for me it's still stupidly cold to cycle in, though it's getting slightly better. Can't take mudguards off as it's Britain in April either
- 1,457
- Exeter
- Emptyone-77
It was, good finish too, which is rare for Cancellara!
Yeah, I suffer in just my home town, which has pretty average roads, but stretches of cobbles over 2km would absolutely destroy my current bike, and me
It is quite incredible, but throw enough money and experience at the race, and they just about make it.
Though this did happen to George Hincapie
Yeah, I suffer in just my home town, which has pretty average roads, but stretches of cobbles over 2km would absolutely destroy my current bike, and me
It is quite incredible, but throw enough money and experience at the race, and they just about make it.Though this did happen to George Hincapie
- 30,033
- Thailand
I've had an interesting week on my bike, mainly due to being between jobs and able to ride everywhere without worrying about time restraints; lots of detours.
At the beginning of the week I was approached by some bloke who wanted to tag alone with me. I was on the river road where pleasure cyclists roam and not going anywhere in particular so I set off with the Chinese bloke to find some hills which were duly ridden.
A few 100km later I developed a problem with two of the gears jumping. Needs looking at but still works OK, nothing serious.
A few days ago I was entering a bottle neck where traffic is ordered going into the city centre and had a car pull out in front of me which I slide into on the brakes. A bit of a bump but I got lucky I think, I wasn't going too fast and sort of bounced off.
Yesterday coming back from meeting a friend I was joined by another cyclist who only said one word - "ShaPingBa?", the town where I live - and it seemed like the race was on. It was about another 11km. I have to give it to the guy, who couldn't have been over mid thirties, was tough. We swapped about quite a lot and he was a pretty smart rider; following me on the flat and overtaking on the hills. Eventually we got into town together and I went off shopping.
It's interesting when these chance encounters happen. The last time I remember riding with somebody random was long ago when I met a proper athlete. Then two in one week! Cycling must be becoming more popular.
Also some good films I've seen this year have been LifeCycles, Where The Trail Ends and Strength in Numbers. All worth a watch for mountain bikers. Or anyone who likes bikes.
At the beginning of the week I was approached by some bloke who wanted to tag alone with me. I was on the river road where pleasure cyclists roam and not going anywhere in particular so I set off with the Chinese bloke to find some hills which were duly ridden.
A few 100km later I developed a problem with two of the gears jumping. Needs looking at but still works OK, nothing serious.
A few days ago I was entering a bottle neck where traffic is ordered going into the city centre and had a car pull out in front of me which I slide into on the brakes. A bit of a bump but I got lucky I think, I wasn't going too fast and sort of bounced off.
Yesterday coming back from meeting a friend I was joined by another cyclist who only said one word - "ShaPingBa?", the town where I live - and it seemed like the race was on. It was about another 11km. I have to give it to the guy, who couldn't have been over mid thirties, was tough. We swapped about quite a lot and he was a pretty smart rider; following me on the flat and overtaking on the hills. Eventually we got into town together and I went off shopping.
It's interesting when these chance encounters happen. The last time I remember riding with somebody random was long ago when I met a proper athlete. Then two in one week! Cycling must be becoming more popular.
Also some good films I've seen this year have been LifeCycles, Where The Trail Ends and Strength in Numbers. All worth a watch for mountain bikers. Or anyone who likes bikes.
- 1,457
- Exeter
- Emptyone-77
Although I live in a city full of potholes, bus drivers and other evil things, Bath actually has something pretty good for cyclists now. The longest cycling tunnel in Britain!
There are two sections, and the longer is just over a mile long. Pretty good fun buzzing through it, time trialing and whatnot
Well worth checking out if you're ever on your bike in the area!
Oh, and I recently got a set of Shimano BR-650 brakes, long arms for my low spec racing bike. Pretty good quality, major improvement over the own brand Scott one's the bike came with, on which the barrel adjuster wasn't adjustable
There are two sections, and the longer is just over a mile long. Pretty good fun buzzing through it, time trialing and whatnot
Well worth checking out if you're ever on your bike in the area!
Oh, and I recently got a set of Shimano BR-650 brakes, long arms for my low spec racing bike. Pretty good quality, major improvement over the own brand Scott one's the bike came with, on which the barrel adjuster wasn't adjustable
- 1,457
- Exeter
- Emptyone-77
You can get most of the way, but it gets a bit lethal nearer Frome, not particularly safe indeed. Though if you take the B roads from Frome to Wellow then follow the Colliers way then the route 24 into Bath, you could do that safely.
Not me, I'm a rare (though becoming more common) road biker in this thread. Though I have friends who do lots of it around Bath and the local area, I can't really comment on it, sorry.
Not me, I'm a rare (though becoming more common) road biker in this thread. Though I have friends who do lots of it around Bath and the local area, I can't really comment on it, sorry.
ExigeEvan
Premium
- 17,192
Stopped for a fallen brother today.
I would guesstimate he'd be capable of doing at least 30, maybe 40 mph at the point he'd crashed. Luckily there's a rather large grass verge that seems to have saved him from anything too serious. He was nursing his shoulder quite badly, but he declined a lift as he'd already called an ambulance and reckoned he could chuck the bicycle in the back! Hope it's a bust frame at worst!
I would guesstimate he'd be capable of doing at least 30, maybe 40 mph at the point he'd crashed. Luckily there's a rather large grass verge that seems to have saved him from anything too serious. He was nursing his shoulder quite badly, but he declined a lift as he'd already called an ambulance and reckoned he could chuck the bicycle in the back! Hope it's a bust frame at worst!
- 3,460
- Hollywood
Good work, Evan.
My road bike got its first bit of damage today, in the form of a chip caused by a chunk of loose tarmac kicking up and hitting the down tube. Arses! I guess that's why I can't have nice things (such as a carbon frame!).
My road bike got its first bit of damage today, in the form of a chip caused by a chunk of loose tarmac kicking up and hitting the down tube. Arses! I guess that's why I can't have nice things (such as a carbon frame!).
- 5,494
- Vic, Australia
- gundalini
- 30,033
- Thailand
I had a nice chap do this for me once.
I overshot a tight bend on Essex country roads and flew off into a drainage ditch smacking my nuts on the handlebars as I Superman'd into a farmers crop and destroyed my trusty old Raleighy.
A White Van Man was cruising past and stopped to ask if I needed help. He was kind enough to drive me and the bike home almost 15 miles and when I offered him some cash for the life he said not to worry and that cyclists/ bikers should look out for each other.
My faith in humanity was restored that day.
- 805
- NJ
- alpacaflip1
Ready for the 2013 downhill season. Fork just got rebuilt.
- 30,033
- Thailand
Last night I was on my way home from a street BBQ dinner and decided to check out how much energy is in lamb, chicken and pork sticks. I managed to hold 55-60kph for 5km on the flat with a top speed of 62.1.
I was rather impressed with the fuel but I honestly don't give 100% at all often so this was kind of a pointless test.
Still, the looks on people's faces when they get overtaken by a skinny lad on a push iron in a 60 zone while they drive their Range Rovers and 7 Series' is priceless.
EDIT: I'd also cranked out almost 100km at that point too so I'm very impressed with my recent diatry progress.
I was rather impressed with the fuel but I honestly don't give 100% at all often so this was kind of a pointless test.
Still, the looks on people's faces when they get overtaken by a skinny lad on a push iron in a 60 zone while they drive their Range Rovers and 7 Series' is priceless.
EDIT: I'd also cranked out almost 100km at that point too so I'm very impressed with my recent diatry progress.
ExigeEvan
Premium
- 17,192
W3HSLast night I was on my way home from a street BBQ dinner and decided to check out how much energy is in lamb, chicken and pork sticks. I managed to hold 55-60kph for 5km on the flat with a top speed of 62.1.
I was rather impressed with the fuel but I honestly don't give 100% at all often so this was kind of a pointless test.
Still, the looks on people's faces when they get overtaken by a skinny lad on a push iron in a 60 zone while they drive their Range Rovers and 7 Series' is priceless.
EDIT: I'd also cranked out almost 100km at that point too so I'm very impressed with my recent diatry progress.
How big was the tailwind?
