tips on drinking from water bottle during a ride

[lenox]

Hi... I haven't yet mastered getting the water bottle out of the cage, drinking, and then getting it back into the cage. So instead I often have to stop to drink. Not convenient when I should be drinking every 20mins or so. Any tips/tricks on how to get better?

[Andrea]

Practice riding along with a hand on your water bottle without actually removing it from the cage. Progress to poking around on it & turning it. Eventually, you'll be comfortable enough in that position that removing it & replacing it won't be as hard.

[MM_QFC!]

also, if you keep your handlebar-holding hand closer to the center/stem part of the bar, it keeps it steadier while you're reaching.
Good idea to practice in a parking lot or quiet stretch of road, so that you can keep yourself/bike steady and moving forward, with eyes looking ahead on road (not right in front of you), while you hold on and reach down toward your bottle. It won't take long for you to be able to do all without looking at the bottle as you remove it or replace it...

[conurejade]

also, if you keep your handlebar-holding hand closer to the center/stem part of the bar, it keeps it steadier while you're reaching.
Good idea to practice in a parking lot or quiet stretch of road, so that you can keep yourself/bike steady and moving forward, with eyes looking ahead on road (not right in front of you), while you hold on and reach down toward your bottle. It won't take long for you to be able to do all without looking at the bottle as you remove it or replace it...

Exactly!!!

[Aint Doody]

Edna! I have a visual of that happening to Dave (Slug!). Hope to see y'all somewhere this spring--how about Pendleton????

Susan

[evangundy]

Edna! I have a visual of that happening to Dave (Slug!). Hope to see y'all somewhere this spring--how about Pendleton????

Susan

Hi Susan,
I know I can't make your ride this year - Memorial weekend is always our Human Power Challenge at PIR ( http://ohpv.org/HPC/ )- and I am on the race committee so I kinda hafta be there - but Dave keeps going back and forth - hasn't decided if he'll stay here for PIR or go to Pendleton for your ride.

Yes, hope to see you somewhere too :-)
Edna

[PscyclePath]

Hi... I haven't yet mastered getting the water bottle out of the cage, drinking, and then getting it back into the cage. So instead I often have to stop to drink. Not convenient when I should be drinking every 20mins or so. Any tips/tricks on how to get better?

It's one of those issues of feeling balanced and comfortable rolling along on your bike.

Move your hands toward the center of the bars, then with your left hand, pull the bottle out of the cage. I usually keep the little stopper thingie pressed down & closed (to prevent leaks), so I'll pull it open with my teeth sort of like in the old cowboy movies, take a swig, then ease the bottle back in the cage and push it down to seat it.

It takes a little practice, so a good thing is to get out in a big empty parking lot, and while riding laps at an easy pace, practice moving your hands to the center of the bars, then reaching down to grab your bottle. Do that a time or two (or three) until it feels comfortable, then progress on to actually pulling the bottle out of the cage and taking a drink. Now, practice putting the bottle back in the cage. Keep practicing until the whole sequence feels comfortable, and you can do this rolling down the road at your normal cruising speed.

Another option is to invest in a hydration pack, like a CamelBak. The advantages are that you only have to catch the drinking tube, put it in your mouth, bite, and suck... plus you can carry a lot more water or sports drink that way; up to 70 ounces or so (and you can put ice in there for a cold drink when you want one). And there's usually pockets where you can carry an extra tube, some snacks, etc.

CamelBaks are probably the best solution for new riders, and they really come into play on long training or touring rides out through the countryside where water or refreshment stops can be few and far between. Disadvantages? Some may complain about the weight, and in the summertime wearing the backpack may be a bit sweaty under there.

You may want to check in your community and see if they're offering the LAB Group Riding clinics... these are a good place to learn pack riding skills such as riding in close proximity to other riders, dodging road hazards in tight spaces, and yes, we make you practice getting your bottle out for a drink, just like above.

[mimitabby]

oh, Duh. he's right! that's how I avoid the problem. If I am going to be on a more than 10 mile ride, i wear my camelbak. It makes the whole bike riding/drinking thing so NOT a problem.

[lenox]

thanks for all of the helpful suggestions. i do have a camelback as well... but as i am doing longer rides (60-80 miles) i also have two bottles of sports drinks in addition to water in the camelback.
i think part of the problem is that i have a pretty compact frame so not a lot of room for error down there.
thanks again

[Starfish]

Lenox, I have a very compact frame, too, and it does make it difficult to get used to. I hate having a camelback on for long periods, so I have 3 bottle cages (one underneath the downtube) for long unsupported rides.

In addition to the good comments here about practicing, you could also try practicing on a trainer in your living room, if you have one. It is not the same as riding on the road, but you can easily/safely practice keeping your eyes ahead and going by feel to remove and replace the bottles while you are still pedaling.

Good luck!

[Brandi]

I always wear a camelback.

[tc1]

Leave the bottle "open". That is, put the big lid on it, leave the little part that you drink from, up. It won't spill. Otherwise, you will spend too much time trying to change your visual focus point to see if the cap is closed.

[crisi13]

I read this in another forum...takes some getting used to but it does help!

Reach down and grab your bottle with the palm of your hand ensuring that the pinkie finger is on top (Look down at your right hand...looking at the back of the hand turn your hand so that your fingers are pointing to your left hand) this is how you want to grab the bottle, as you are bringing the bottle to your mouth, twist your hand around so that your can drink. This gives you a better angle of bottle to mouth and helps your drink more water with less effort. I sat on the couch with a water bottle for a while practiceing this move and it really is easier to drink this way on the bike.

It'll make sense after you try it a couple of times! Good Luck!!

[withm]

I keep a wide rubber band - like a brocolli or asparagus rubber band - around all my water bottles. Gives you a little something else to hold on to and helps to prevent the bottle from slipping out of your hands with gloves on. You really don't want to drop your water bottle while you are riding. Especially in a group. Yikes!

[evangundy]

During a ride a couple years ago, I was in front of our group (1/2 dozen recumbents) took out my bottle and drank, reached down to put it back and missed the cage, yelled "bottle" as it hit the ground and watched my mirror as everyone scattered left and right, but my DH was at the back and didn't hear me, and hit the bottle square on. Dragged it a little ways then it went under his front wheel and took him down. Tore up his bodysoc, a little road rash on his knee, ankle and elbow, but he was fine. And I think he took great delight from telling anyone who asked about his road rash, that "my wife threw her water bottle at me and knocked me off my bike".

So just remember it's still easy to have problems with your water bottle even after years of practice. It's the only time I've dropped a bottle, but if DH sees me reaching for it, he still rides way left or right of me, or slows way down behind me and watches until I've put it back. And just smiles

Lots of good advice from everyone - just takes practice and you'll get the hang of it.

Edna