Finding, Carrying, and Treating Water While Bikepacking

"How much water should I carry on my bike?" is one of the most common questions we get asked by beginners. Learn where to carry water on your touring bike, where to find water, and how to treat water so it's safe to drink.
Where you're out for a day of cycling, gravel biking, or going on a round-the-world bike tour, these tips will help keep you hydrated. Plus, we've got a tip for how to keep water cold even on a hot day.
▶ Gear We Used In This Video:
Those marked with an * are affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases, which means you support the channel at no cost to you.
•*Mojave Water Bottle Cage from Velo Orange: amzn.to/3nbiwKo
•*Katadyn BeFree: amzn.to/3HnRB5c
•*Sawyer Squeeze: amzn.to/3AJKU9v
•Widefoot LiterCage: widefoot.com/p...
•*Blackburn Outpost Cages: amzn.to/40TCV4l
•*AquaTabs Water Purification Tablets: amzn.to/3oTYB3n
•*Grayl Water Purifier Bottle: amzn.to/3Hjr5K7
•*Grayl Water Purifier Replacement Cartridge: amzn.to/3ngVZfq
▶ Links from this video:
• Adventure Cycling Water Article: www.adventurec...
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#travel #biketour #bikepacking #cycletouring #cycling #gravelbike #slowtravel #bikecamping #bicyclecamping

[@shalakabooyaka1480]

We used the bottle in a sock in Iraq in 2003. Made it a lot more bearable. I use cedaero "devils kettle" feed bags, they have a lid with magnetic hold open and closure system that lends itself to big bottles or lots of small stuff and easy to get into without bothering with a drawstring. it will almost close fully with a 20oz insulated bottle. They have an XL version that fits large nalgenes fully though. It acts a bit as insulation as well. also have cages on my forks. It's hot atm here.

[@josephhaddakin7095]

I've biked thru the Southwest United States & found that about 7 liters is the minimum to carry. There was one time when I really wished that I had carried 8 liters. Luckily I finally made my way to a gas station aptly named "Oasis" near Essex, California. P.S. I ride with those VO mojave bottle carriers, same as you. I had 3 liters in nalgenes & a 4 liter bladder on the top of my rear rack. I made a bag for the bladder so I could refill my bottles at the back of the bike without removing the bladder.

[@slow_spokes]

On our recent trip to Utah we ended up going 2.5 days without a water resupply and carried 12 liters of water! It was too much, but only because the weather was cooler than expected. I had 4 in my frame bag and 6 on my rear rack.

[@RoadDestination]

Once carried over 15 liters, of water. First time heading into the desert with the next secure waterpoint 200 km or so away and at least a bit scared you, well at least I did, err to the safe side. Quickly learning that I could cut down drastically as the Australian outback in winter is not that hot and regularly cars stop to ask whether I'm ok, need water or want a cold beer. Then a couple of months later near the far more populated east coast and with changed seasons I ran into water issues as I had been complacent. Had not really checked the map, it became quite a bit warmer and had not even considered water could become an issue.

[@erikl.1860]

I am always carrying 2x 750 ml bottles and a 1.5 liter Nalgene bottle. Then when it’s really hot, or more difficult to find water I also have 2 flexible waterbags (Hydrapak seeker 2 liter each). I rarely fill them up both at the same time. They can easily be attached on top of the front panniers or in the back on top of my rackpack. I do bring a water filter (Katadyn befree with 1 liter bag), but I never needed to use it during my cycling tours (33000 km so far).

[@tomsitzman3952]

Last year I switched over to double walled stainless steel water bottles. I have a variety of sizes to select from depending on water availability. I like the taste of water out of the stainless bottles and it stays cool all day long and on winter trips won't freeze. I'm done with plastic even Nalgene. I have one and 1,5 liter bottles inside the triangle and two 0.5 L (2 cups each) on the handlebars in grub bags. I like the grub bags to carry water because they are more versatile, and I can store different size bottle in them. Stainless bottles, like new are $2 USD at the Goodwill or other secondhand stores. I have only traveled in the States and Canada and have always been able to find safe water. I do carry a filter straw just in case. With any filtration system always let the water settle in the bottle, pour the water into another bottle before using a filter or chemicals. Clorine does a good job of filtering large amounts of water. Use only the number of drops and time recommended.

[@patjensen1450]

Love you guys and can’t wait for your next touring adventure.

[@markperry222]

A good video thanks. I am always paranoid about running out of water as I always sweat a lot in hot weather. I usually carry about 3L and when I get down to my last liter of water I start hunting for it. Especially in dry rural areas. Public toilets are also a good place to find water, not always potable but clear, for cooking and washing pots. I am also thinking about buying a Sea to Summit Watercell. They are a great design that has baffles in the bag so that the cell holds its shape (kinda box shape) which will site flat on a rack and the water does not sloosh around. They also roll up when empty. They are not expensive and come in a range of sizes from 4L to 20L. I am thinking of carrying a 4L as back up capicty for times I might have to travel a long way between water stops.

[@PumpkinVillage]

Very good tips especially the sock one. Never heard that one before. 2 1/2 liters of water is my carry even for short rides. Like the peace of mind and have enough to share too. Thanks for the video and take care, Al

[@tomsitzman3952]

two socks are better wool or cotton, soak them in water. A method old as time. Cooling by evaporation. Used it on the farm with gallon jugs of water.

[@madtownangler]

I was deer hunting one time and ran out of water. I ended up putting snow in my water bottle and breathing inside of it to melt the snow. I brought more water with me the next trip.

[@slow_spokes]

You only learn some things once!

[@Biffo1262]

I have three bottle carriers and I fill them at EVERY opportunity. I do not leave refilling until empty. I also carry SIS gels. A double carrier fastened to the rear of my saddle and a single down tube carrier. I will not fasten anything to my front forks. A can of soda in my panniers is my pleasure drink.

[@surlycyclingrag3347]

When I used to live next to Mojave desert the most I had was four gallons on the bicycle I only needed three. Riding from twenty nine palms CA towards Parker AZ. 110 miles with nothing in between I carried three gallons. Two 64oz on the forks two 40oz in the Mojave cage some in the water filter bladder a 27oz bottle cage also by velo orange. A one gallon plastic bottle on the rear rack if you buy the big square one save it cut the top of fill it with clothes place in panniers and it is a great container for laundry. All of my bottles are stainless steel so I can make hot showers. I was low on water had a small pine hole in the tube I used the tire when it was off for a water bucket. When I would get to a campsite to cool down some water I would dig a hole place a 40oz in the sand about a half and hour to cool down. The only time I ran out of water was riding from cedarville CA towards gerlac NV.

[@mikaelljungberg1019]

Im not a bikepacker yett but i fantasi e about it. And I belive that a bladder in a harnes on your back is a good option becouse you can where it under your clothes witch is good for all year around use.

[@slow_spokes]

That’s a fine idea. We’ve done that on short rides but for long days we prefer having the water off our backs, since more weight on the saddle means more likelihood of butt and back pain.

[@banksiaspinulosa7442]

You should look at the cranktank4

[@josiahfresnel9217]

Water is 2.2 pounds per liter 💀💀💀 my brother in Allah it is also 1kg per 1 liter. Please use metric😵

[@spektrumB]

I'm planning to cycling Iran and Turkey next summer. Thinking carrying how much water is a small headache. Of course you don't want to carry 7 liters of water constantly. But running out of water in 40C temperature isn't ideal as well.

[@jmkc740]

If everybody just got a yuba mundo cargo bike you could strap on as many jugs as ya wanted, well upto 500lbs including rider and other gear ya wanna take. You really will be slow spokes if you adopt this advice.😂 i luv my yuba thou, i can take everything i ever wanted and more...

[@slow_spokes]

Hahaha we don’t need any help being slower. We’re usually the slowest bikers we meet, mostly because filming takes a ton of time.