Posing after getting flat

[ViciousDADogg]

I was riding today with what I thought was a fixed tube on my bike's front wheel. Apperantely, and somehow, it got deflated and I heard the sound but ignore it. As I was making a smart and high speed turn around a car, I had absolutely no traction for braking and steering. I kept locking up front wheel and it was a great luck that I didn't crash.

I get off my bike, on the side of the road, and start changing tube. I was sweaty from standing still in no time and I think that contributed to my hotness. I noticed women drive by and look at me.

Most that stared were those young girls that had another young girl with them. Then there were some moms, some dudes.. The least interested were ugly people, both men and women.

I had to take my helmet and shades off, that backpack. Left only with du rag, it just added to my hotness as I was dripping with sweat.


Now, I carry two 24 oz bottles with me. And my rides are usually 10 miles. But this is sometimes not enough. What do you think about this hydration pack?

What I like about this vs a regular camelback is that it's kind of more compact and can fit under my backpack. But I'm not sure about the fit, and more importantely how it will look on me. I'm thinking black. What you think?

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

You should consider drinking more before your rides. Also try not force the hard gears when you're in hot weather. Think about drinking a sports drink that contains electrolytes too.

Two 24oz bottles should be well more than enough for 10 miles. How long does it normally take you to finish?

 

[ViciousDADogg]

It's usually 5 miles per 20 minutes. So around 40 minutes for 10 miles. I average 14 mph, and max out at 30 mph. I drink gadorade, nothing else works as well. Propel is the same thing, but it's expensive.

What are you thoughts about using that vest in the city? I'm starting to need a new back pack, my 20 buck walgreens pack is falling apart.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Hmmm... Something tells me that you're carrying a ton of stuff and riding a heavy bike and that will definitely make you winded and thirsty. Think about dropping some of the weight.

You could look consider some of the sturdy messenger bags to carry things but they are best if you aren't weighing yourself down. Another option is to put a rack on the back of your bike and bungee it down so that you don't have all the weight of it on your back. But if you want to stick with a backpack, I suggest going with something like this which is actually more comfortable and safer than a regular backpack. http://www.worldcycling.com/merchant.mvc?Category_Code=BAGS&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BBCB

Finally, for the price, Gatorade is the best product out there especially if you buy the it powdered and mix up your own. There are other brands out there which are better but they're best for competitions. Stay away from Propel because it's not a sports drink, it's just vitamin infused water and doesn't have the sodium, potassium and electrolytes needed for sustained physical activity. It does taste good though.

 

[ViciousDADogg]

I ride in 90+ degree weather with big humidity. As far as carrying things goes, I usually carry a few letters and papers, when on job I might carry a laptop. The heaviest I carry is a 24 pack beer.

I like that bag, but it don't have hydration system. I guess I'll just find me a cool and cheap bag and install a bladder myself.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I ride in 90+ degree weather with big humidity. As far as carrying things goes, I usually carry a few letters and papers, when on job I might carry a laptop. The heaviest I carry is a 24 pack beer.

I like that bag, but it don't have hydration system. I guess I'll just find me a cool and cheap bag and install a bladder myself.

For the amount of time you are on the bike and the distance you are riding, two 24oz bottles should be fine. Make sure you are drinking liquids before you ride and make sure you have some sort of sport drink during the really hot weather.

A Camelback would be overkill because of the extra weight for the short amount of time you're riding. Either you get the small 1 litre pack which doesn't allow you any room to pack anything else or you get a massive 3 liter backpack which is WAY heavy.

As long as you are drinking throughout the day, you should have enough to drink via the two water bottles. Typically, one water bottle lasts a good hour in hot weather. You have to realize that your body can only assimilate a finite amount of liquids in a given period of time, more than that makes it less effective.