This is the first year that I haven't used my Camelbak on all road rides. I can only drink with my left hand; for some reason I only feel stable with my right hand on the bar. I've progressed to being able to drink while riding at about 14-15 mph, but it does have to be flattish. And I do tend to wait until it's low traffic. I also try to drink at the beginning of a climb, when i am going a bit slower.
The Camelbak doesn't really bother me when I'm using it, but riding without it feels liberating! I use it mountain biking and probably for rides 50 miles and over, with no places to get more liquid. So far though, this year, my 50 mile rides have been in places where i stop and refill my bottles with Gatorade bought at a grocery store. And yes, the people who can eat, undress, and fly down a hill are amazing. My husband can take his jacket off, roll it up, put it in his pocket and fly down a hill drinking from his bottle.
Tasha, we have to get together and ride!!!