How much to drink the night before a ride?

[shadon]

I realized after my ride in Davis with SadieKate et al, that I probably didint drink enoug the night before. So as a rule, if you're planning a ride, how much should I drink the night before to help with adequate hydration the next moring? It's assumed that I'll drink some when I get up and that I'll drink during my ride.

[DeniseGoldberg]

In my experience, drinking the night before doesn't help my morning hydration levels - it simply guarantees more than my usual middle-of-the-night bathroom visits.

I always eat breakfast before my morning rides - and I do drink water with my breakfast. Then I make sure to drink a lot as I ride. I remember many years ago hearing the recommendation of drinking a full water bottle every hour of the ride. Is it possible that your issues were more tied to not drinking enough during your ride?

--- Denise

[snapdragen]

I find it best not to drink the night before a bike ride.......oh! You meant water!

My average water consumption is about 2 liters a day, not counting liquids besides water (juice, coffee, fruit). I can tell when I've not had enough water for the day, dry lips and mouth.

I don't think you need to super-hydrate before a ride, just be sure you drink enough all day long, and drink during the ride. I wear a hydration pack, otherwise I don't drink enough when riding.

snap "lemon drop" dragen

[Irulan]

I understand what Shadon is asking, as my understanding of dehydration and hydtration has to do with keeping the body continually hydrated, not just trying to drink enough water an hour or two before you go out. If you body is dehydrated, that's too soon to compensate.

That being said, I try to drink a lot of water all the time, and the goal is to NOT have to get up in the middle of the night to pee.

Irulan

[Trek420]

Irulan writes "I try to drink a lot of water all the time, and the goal is to NOT have to get up in the middle of the night to pee."

I'm confused. I have been told that if you do NOT get up at night to pee, it's likely that you're dehydrated.

[Irulan]

hmm, never heard anything about that. I didn't say I didn't wake up early really needing to go, sometimes.