The Risk is Real: How to Avoid Dehydration on a Bike Trip

[@2scoops624]

Here's my dehydration story: Hiking Upheaval Dome in Canyon Lands National Park in 97 degree July heat, get to the dome, and my wife falls and twists her knee really badly. On the way out, we got turned around and ended up circling back 2 miles. Due to this and her injury, what should have been a 4-5 hour hike became a 13 hour hike. We all ran out of water at the bottom of the canyon. Parts of the trail are on a dry creek bed, I was able to dig down far enough with a knife and a stick to find water. Of course we left the water filter at camp. The water tasted and smelled like a sewer, but we didn't get sick. Thankfully we had hiking poles and a knee brace, with out those, she probably wouldn't have been able to get out on her own. We promised ourselves we would go back someday and hike this trail out of revenge.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Dang, adding another element, injury, can really make things that much more challenging. Well done on getting your wife out. Cheers to not getting sick!

[@jojo229er]

Worth noting to pre hydrate before trips also, easier to stay ahead than to play catchup.

[@buckroger6456]

This is something many people don't seem to do or understand. I've seen a lot of amateur racers get heat stroke from not pre hydrating before a race.

[@StrengthCircusDD]

If you’re running a bladder in your frame bag- try a lighter leash or retractable id lanyard to attach the hose to a stem or front bag! Saw it the other day on Erika Wierman’s KZbin!

[@milesarbour2210]

I just tried a 2L bladder in the frame bag for the first time, as per Neil's recommendation, and I loved it. I paired it with a small bottle in a feed bag, since the hose was a little awkward to access while riding, and I'm pretty much sold on that setup.

[@harris4035]

Bike Iowa taught me a cool trick for the awkward hose issue. Use a retractable badge holder, like the ones in the link below. Put the main part connected to your grab bag or top tube bag then the retractable part connected near the mouth piece. It's genius and works great! www.amazon.com/Retractable-Holders-Carabiner-Vertical-Kevlar/dp/B07KGQQHCJ/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Retractable+Name+Badge+Holder&qid=1621618963&sr=8-5

[@staceyaustin6905]

I live in a Desert and love your tips! Water 💦 is so important!

[@Mike-vd2qt]

On a bike tour across Southern Tier route, ran out of water along the road in AZ. While pedaling I held up empty water bottle and waved it overhead as drivers past. Within minutes a pick-up truck stopped and folks gave me water. Still in the middle of nowhere, nightfall along the highway, a tractor trailer was stopped at the top of a long downhill. The driver gave me a gallon of water, perfect, because I had to camp for the night and call it a day. :-)

[@buckroger6456]

Loads of cool people out here. You will always find someone who will give you a lift into town for food and water or even a ride home.

[@andresbarriga5305]

This was such Good content. Thank you.

[@MonoLake02]

The painted desert in Arizona-it started out ok, but it got hot and windy later-on and the water ran short. I went to two different trading posts and was denied water. I was told that the water was no good, but I could buy soft drinks or beer. There was no water for sale either. I finally bought some iced tea and made due, but sugary drinks while dehydrated was no fun. It really was a sufferfest. I still remember the ride, and that’s what makes it memorable I guess...

[@Naturally_Fly]

Another great video! I was riding last weekend on a trail that I thought wouldn’t be too bad. Unfortunately after 20 miles of underbiking I was worn out and out of water. Thankfully I was carrying my Sawyer Mini Filter and was able to refill my bottles at a drying up creek bed

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

You were prepared, nice! Love that feeling.

[@jonathan763]

Neil, don't feel bad. I too trusted the weather man for my ride out in the West desert of Utah on Saturday 15-May-2021 where the temperature was 15F hotter and wind was much stronger than forecasted.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

HA, no kidding!!! It just goes to show that we should never underestimate the desert, wowzers!

[@jrreed6992]

Oregon Outback day 2, camped at Sand Spring. Walked up to the pond and the whole pond moved with a million frogs. Used my Sawyer mini and it looked like lemonade after filtering. Survived with no issues. Next time carry more water.

[@DM-hw4cr]

Eww

[@Liljoozy]

why lemon ade

[@jrreed6992]

Had a yellow tint to it

[@Hiker1987]

@@Liljoozy My guess would be pollen

[@tomg.542]

It felt scary but probably wasn't all that bad and all in my head but backpacking on the John Muir Trail and blew off the last creek crossing thinking "surely at this high altitude there will be plenty of water". But it was very exposed and late in the season and no water for many miles. Lesson learned: when you hit water, stop and fill up - it's ok to come to the next water source with extra water. I love my Osprey hydro pack. w/ 2.5 liter capacity plus tons of room for clothes and smaller things. Never feels warm and forget I have it on. Don't like fanny packs, they are all not comfortable.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

I've been there, thanks Tom.

[@GeekonaBike]

I like to carry a collapsible backpack & bladder packed away until needed for those long hauls between desert water holes

[@sagehiker]

Great cover shot of peering into a stanky tank. Fifty year Western US hiker understands.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Great shot indeed by Logan Watts!

[@jacobwang1915]

One time I rode Windgate-Bell Pass loop in Phoenix and brought plenty of water but not enough electrolytes. Ended up puking all my water out at the top of Bell pass, then going unconscious for a few minutes. Rode down the black-diamond level descent while I’m shaking from heat exhaustion. :) Also that stock tank water looks delicious compared to the stock tanks on the AZT.

[@buckroger6456]

Some of those tanks on the AZ trail look like swamp water, the kind you would have to chew lol. Sometimes your lucky and they have running water pouring into them.

[@GravelBikedesSavoie]

Excellente vidéo, de bonnes idées ! Merci :)

[@outbackwack368]

I live and ride in Phoenix and average 100 oz a day (drink of choice... no soda or alcohol). I favor the fanny pack and wasn't aware of the Dakine. I ordered it to replace my Camelbak Repack 50 oz right after watching this video! Thanks!

[@buckroger6456]

Wait!! Are you stinging you went to a smaller water pack? I live down in Tucson and ride all the time for hours in the summer and carry no less then 4-5 liters on me.

[@Th3St0rm]

Mother Road Gravel a couple weeks back. Temp was not supposed to get above 80, but that sun came out and both temp and humidity rose. Over a stretch of white stone I could feel the heat radiating; my Garmin 520 recorded 99F. I was running 3x 21oz bottles and had about 1/2 a bottle of water left as I neared the ~85 mile rest stop, only to have two cyclist heading out tell me that it had run out of water (plenty of beer though!). I pulled a map and started toward an off-course town about 10 miles away. Just before I broke off the course, SAG caught me and at that point I would have gladly SAG'd off. But this vehicle had a cooler and water in the back, and I was able to refill without finding that town. I also pounded a coke. I ended up finishing the ride as a result of that timely save, but even pounding water afterward and it was several hours later before I needed to use the restroom. I would totally ride that course again next year, I just hope they keep the stops stocked better, though to be fair only 14 fondo riders finished.

[@Draculapin]

2 x 750 ml bottle on the frame or fork (depend on the bike I use) and a CNOC 3L pouch paired with a super light folding backpack that I fill up before long stretch without water or just before making camp for the night. I use the pouch to shower as well

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

"Hydrate or Die"! I'm not a racer, I just enjoy bikepacking on trails, etc. And as a camper and bushcrafter, I carry a CamelBak MULE Hydration Pack with 100oz Mil-Spec reservoir, a 24-oz Grayl Geopress as well as two 35-oz Pathfinder titanium water bottles.

[@buckroger6456]

You are doing it right in my opinion. I carry pretty much the same.

[@ja643]

The Cranktank4 is an excellent way to carry 4 litres of water in the best possible place in my experience. Worthy of consideration.

[@bruce.KAY-bike-drifter]

Thanks for the tip. I hadn't seen this product before.

[@addingonbird1]

Did a Capitol Reef overnight recently and needed to carry all my water. 2 Nalgenes on the fork with looney bins, 1 under the down tube in a looney bin, 2 large bidons in the frame and 1 two liter collapsible bladder in my jersey that I emptied into the bidons as soon I could to get the weight off my back. Just over 6 liters was enough to not need to ration but just enough. Also, it was early season and not hot yet. Big fan of the looney bins.

[@triton189]

A good thing to mention is the use of electrolyte packs when packing. Saved my ass on the CT!

[@EndUser-yu7gg]

Oh yes electrolytes... On hot days I have tablets to drop in my water for that ... Still as was mentioned don't get behind in hydration as drinking so much water you get massive cramps * I freaking know this pain well * ... That experience killed a planned ride for me as I had stretches where I literally could not turn the cranks and had to resort to hunching over and shoveling my bike forward which oh... Also cost me water making the problem worse... By time that day ended at camp I was shaking and cold ... I tossed my gear down got out the stove and downed a packet of hot cocoa before I went to making my dinner and crawling into my bag ... Can seriously say folks I never want to experience that again!

[@buckroger6456]

Never used those but I do like the powered Gatorade mix and take that with me. I even seen at the bike shop they have hydration gummy bears.

[@tyebragg2522]

Love my 2L Orange Mud Endurance Pack. Sits high and snug, and the front pockets are great for nutrition, trash and my phone. Plus a grassroots family business.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Josh and crew are doing good things for sure, I saw that brand in its infancy, you love to see the success.

[@buckroger6456]

I'm a desert breed camel lol I ride all the time in the summer when it's a easy 100+. Also I'm big on being out for a good 6 hours or more and tend to ride for 60-100 miles. I always ride with a camelbak and carry 5 liters of water plus I'll carry stuff like powered Gatorade so I can mix in needed hydration.

[@buckroger6456]

@Hoyt Arrow yeah it's crazy but when it's 100+ outside it makes all the difference. The pack holds 100oz and then I carry 2 one liter bottles filled with water. I load the pack with ice and fill it with water. The 2 bottles I freeze over night. I still have room to carry another bottle if needed.

[@jamesboyd868]

I'm a big guy! and I need lots of water!!! I tend to consume an average of 1L per 2 hours in the south of Spain. So! on a 10h ride I need at least 5-7L

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Good thought, the bigger you are the more water and calories you need! Thanks.

[@DM-hw4cr]

I always forget to pre hydrate correctly. I live in Eastern Washington and have been in your situation

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

That's a good point actually, going into your trip hydrated helps immensely.

[@ezriderzzr7104]

Love your videos, a lot of good ideas there, luckily for me i'm Scottish and we have an average of 265 days a year where it rains, and over 30,000 freshwater lochs, so we're pretty much all good for water. 😁

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

😆

[@thecyclopath8845]

CrankTank, FTW. Holds a ton of water, and keeps the weight exactly where you'll notice it the least, at the bottom of the main triangle. It hardly effects the handling of my bike at all. You can even hook up a hose, and use it like a hydration bladder while you ride. One of my better bikepacking investments.

[@julians.2597]

Yeah on my trips in the German and Austrian alps I usually just carry less than a liter, I'll scout/plan my route to cross a well every half an hour to two hours, depending on the weather. If it's real hot I'll take a second bottle. Ib combination with a ni e insulated cycling bottle, this has the secondary advantage of my water always being nice and cool, even after 5 hours of cycling in the extreme heat without shade.

[@kathardt-holoch4361]

This isn't a running out of water story but it is a dehydration story. I was riding at higher altitude (from 8,500 to nearly 10,000 feet). Between heat and the altitude, I drank 140 ounces over the course of the day. It was so arid that even after drinking all that water I didn't need to pee for 12 hours. Very bizarre and I have to assume my body was holding on to all the liquid for some reason. I didn't have an appetite so I didn't eat enough and bonked/deflated. That was a very hard day.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

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[@bexplorersc]

I was riding at 8.2k, sunny and windy the other day. I ran out of water. There were streams but I didn't bring my filter. I decided to ride home without drinking anymore water.... Well, apparently my back did not like that. I suffered a severe back muscle strain. If I had to do it again I would have drank unfiltered water because now I can't even ride a bike with this back pain.

[@patrykblog]

I think you forgot to tell about best solution (IMHO) - CrankTank4 ... frame water bladder/bottle.

[@ja643]

Yep, this is a beauty. I scratched my head when I saw two bottles beneath the part frame bag and then another two on the fork legs. You fit more (4 litres) than in those four bottles in that same spot beneath the frame bag alone with the Cranktank. Get rid of that weight off the forks and carry it where it's felt the least.

[@EndUser-yu7gg]

I tried to use the downtube boses on my MTB ... Issue I ran into is my 64oz bottle I wanted to out there would get my tire hitting it when my front suspension compressed ... If I want to use those I have to use a smaller bottle there ... I refrained from putting bottles on my suspension fork this time but I know at least for me I will avoid any backpack on my back at all costs now I did a go at the xwa MTB trail and I used my camelpak on my back and two water bottles on the bars in stem bags... I discovered having those full up was a real backbreaker for weight as MTB are heavy already and carrying that just killed me .. I got the bag off now and will depend on more frequent resupply and topping off my water as I go as seriously I hurt myself by carrying all that weight as I was slower and when the afternoon sun hit me I was roasted and inturn drank more water... I literally drained 3 liters in four hours which for me was just insane

[@markovich88]

Will an msr trailshot filter all of that or do you still need to add the tablets?

[@joynthis]

Carry enough water in the desert. I wrote that down.

[@gc9435]

So do those tanks get filled by a pipe or a truck? if its a pipe then there has to be float system to fill look for the input pipe and get the water directly from there. still treat it but should contain less cattle slobber

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Typically they are just open pools or tanks that are open on top, for easy access to dump water in from a truck.

[@Liljoozy]

the dromedary appears to be in production form what i have seen in August 2021

[@spankyrodriguez007]

I was the 420th to like this video. stay hydrated, homies.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Cheers!

[@joelschreurs895]

Would you take the Be Free on a longer trip? Some reviews mention clogging issues if not cleaned often.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

The Be Free is my go-to filter not only for longer trips but also just day rides. I have had zero clog issues with mine and I much prefer it over the Sawyer. I clean it by just shaking it, works wonders.

[@julians.2597]

Then just clean it on the trail. Not difficult

[@ickeausberlin36]

Can't praise the cranktank4 enough. No idea why it isn't a bikepacking standard yet.

[@marksadventures3889]

No room for frame bags on my MTB due to the suspension and shape of the frame. Front bags are good and cut down to what you really need. Waist bag and rucksack are my big need on the trail, but for just using conventional routes I use a traditional touring set up, this is The North of England, lack of water is rare...lol. I think I'd feel at home in Washington or Oregon, wet and wild.

[@ДенисГриценко-з1я]

Очень интересно

[@thezian]

So you waited 4 hours before drinking that cattle feed water?

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Yep, had to wait, but I still had a liter as I was in conserve mode to that point. filled up and had the cattle water for drinking overnight and the next morning. A few folks have already mentioned the aquamira water treatment drops only take :30, but i was only carrying the 4hour tabs in my emergency kit.