Need Reality Check

[mimitabby]

So that you can drink while you ride, you might consider something like the Camelbak system. I don't like reaching for waterbottles either; but this tube thing on my shoulder, it's great, i can work it with my mouth and drink whenever i need to.

Jiffer
And There's no way on earth that I could ride a century without stopping to go to the toilet. I know some men can urinate while on the bike, but there's no way I"M going to do that either.

YOu didn't mention how many hours your BF took to do that century; but the fact is, if you don't urinate for 4 or 5 hours and you are really exerting yourself, you stand the chance of getting kidney stones from dehydration. It doesn't sound like a good thing to me.
Maybe I overhydrate; but the last thing I want to do is deal with dehydration on a long ride.

[Zen]

So that you can drink while you ride, you might consider something like the Camelbak system. I don't like reaching for waterbottles either; but this tube thing on my shoulder, it's great, i can work it with my mouth and drink whenever i need to.

I don't like having that thing on my back and the tube doesn't give me enough fluid at one time. My method works for me. I'm out to enjoy the ride, not set speed records.

[pooks]

I love the camelbak so much, I tend to use it even on short rides when it's probably not necessary. But I do tend to get really thirsty, really quickly, so it's best to have it with me.

I also follow the advice I read here last year -- I fill it with ice first, then add water. It does help keep my back a little cooler.

[SouthernBelle]

Oddly, I almost never feel the need to pee while on the bike, despite that otherwise I'm constantly in the bathroom. But I sweat tons, so maybe I'm just excreting through my pores. I do like to stop to drink and eat.

[short cut sally]

when i was first getting into riding, i wasn't coordinated enough to drink while still pedalling. Had to stop after going up a hill or small incline to get a sip of H2O. I straddled the bike, but never got away from the bike. now with a proper bottle (instead of a screw cap top) I am able to drink and drive at the same time..yes legally..somehow, opening a snack bar takes some really good talent, so much so that I just can't muster that. So I do stop to open pkgs. to eat. Early morning rides are like 3 potty breaks (bushes if applicable) within the first 15 miles, okay, maybe 10. This is annoying to me but can't stop my body from doing what it's done for years.

[bikerHen]

I'm one that stops a lot when I ride, more to blow my nose than anything. But I can stop, stradle my bike, blow my nose, take a drink, maybe a bite of something and be going again in under a minute. If I'm with a group I wear my camelback for drinking, wipe my nose as needed and have a good blow when we regroup.

When I do long rides I rarely have to stop to pee. I drink at least a bottle an hour but I sweat it all out! I have taken to drinking lots and lots of water the day before I do a long ride (50 miles or more) to kinda plump myself up. I don't know if it does any good, but I figure I'm well hydrated going into the ride and all the extra peeing was done the day before?! It works for me. bikerHen

[Jiffer]

Jiffer
And There's no way on earth that I could ride a century without stopping to go to the toilet. I know some men can urinate while on the bike, but there's no way I"M going to do that either.

I'm right there with you! I'd never go that long without finding a potty. Dh took just over 6 hours to do that ride (with the TONS of climbing). He may have actually taken the opportunity to go to the bathroom when his buddy stopped to refill his bottles. I'm not sure, be I know he so did not WANT to stop. I don't know how he does it. (I think I can say with certainty that he did NOT go while on his bike!) He can go so long without using the bathroom, just in general. I know when he does Marathons, like many runners, he'll find a bush or something if he absolutely has to, but seriously tries to avoid waiting in a line for the outhouses and usually doesn't go at all. That's about 3 hours and 15 to 30 minutes for him.

I never thought about kidney stones. I don't know if he was really at risk during that century because if he was sweating it all out, then it seems there'd be no need to pee. But I'm no expert on this. I'll ask him his take on this and if he's aware of the kidney stone possibility. I know he's big on eating right and staying hydrated. He reads up on all this stuff and lectures everyone else!

[Starfish]

I notice a huge difference in how often/much I pee when I ride locally (cold weather, 60-70 degrees, humid) and east of the mountains (hot weather, 90+ degrees, dry). I drink a lot in both settings, but it sure makes a difference in the output!

[LBTC]

What an interesting thread!

Well, I've read somewhere in a bike magazine that you know you are properly hydrated if you pee approx once per hour, and once during the night. But that, I'm sure, was not while riding.

I used to never stop to pee on a mountain bike ride (lots of woods to hide in there), but was always sore and needed to very badly by the end. The urge is not the same for me on the bike, so I didn't recognize it when I was newbie. Now that I know better, long mtn bike rides are better.

Camelbak on the mountain bike every time. I find it uncomfortable on the road bike, though. And I am also a spaz who has much trouble getting the water bottle out while pedaling, or even while coasting. Practice has made this easier and will make it easier yet. I haven't done really long road rides yet, so I don't know quite how I'll be able to pack enough water!

And, BikerHen, according to things I've read and my own experience, being very well hydrated before epic exertion is actually more important than hydrating during it. You're doing exactly the right thing!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~