Speedie95

You can't make a blanket statement like that, it depends what conditions you're riding in. When it gets hot and muggy here, I can easily lose 2-3lbs of water weight on a 22 mile ride that takes me 1h 10m. That's not healthy, especially when you consider the electrolyte losses.

prj71

I just did a 25 mile ride on Monday in 95 degrees and 100% humidity with no water or food. If a bicyclist is in any sort of riding shape at all, food and water aren't required for such a short ride.

I've gone on rides as long as 40 miles without touching a water bottle (cuz I forgot it at home) or any food.

Speedie95

Good for you. That doesn't make it advisable or healthy, nevermind optimal.

Iride01 

For me, when I don't drink enough water, then I'll be extremely fatigued after the ride and likely will feel fatigued or sluggish for a day or two after. And similar to Speedie95 I use to lose over 5 lbs of water on some rides. That was before I actually passed out on the side of a road with heat exhaustion. Since then I always hydrate well and don't even lose a pound from sweat. Even when on the 63 mile rides I do several times a year in the hot.

I believe the US Army learned prior to the turn of the century that trying to condition their troops by limiting their water was unproductive. I think we all should learn that too. Why limit your water when you can take plenty with you?

prj71

Then explain to the class what would be unhealthy about it.

prj71

I'm not saying limit your water intake. I'm saying that for a majority of cyclist, a 20-25 mile doesn't require a bunch of water intake. For a ride that short one could drink a bunch of water before the ride if they are concerned. If you are well hydrated you can easily do a 20-25 mile ride without drinking water. Depends on how fit you are.

A typical 20-25 mile road ride will take 1 to 1.5 hours. Once you exceed the 1 hour mark, then keeping on top of your hydration needs becomes more pressing

I'm headed out on a 25 mile gravel ride tonight. I won't even bother bringing water. But when I'm done with the ride, there is beer flavored water at the end.

southpier

Q: does every thread on BF end up in a pissing match?

(asking for a friend)

Speedie95

Yes. Did you not read the forum rules when you signed up?

southpier

Rules?

we don' need no stinging rules!!!

prj71

If this happens to you on a 20-25 mile ride where you don't drink any water I would suspect you have some other health issues going on.

superdex

for a ride of that length, I don't eat anything. Too short. YMMV.

but since that's the not the point of the thread, what I _have_ started to enjoy as mid-ride snacking are the single-serve pouches of almond or peanut butter and honey. Yum. And at a buck apiece, cheaper than gels.

https://a.co/d/hGV3moR

Iride01 

I don't plan to find out. I'm going to take a couple gulps from my bottle every 10 - 15 minutes. But the few times I have been slack on drinking enough water, this is usually the result.

The last few times this has happened to me, it's from working in the yard in the heat and being too stubborn to get a drink. Fatigue is one of the symptoms of dehydration.

If you don't feel fatigued after your rides and are ready to go riding again the next day, then I guess you dealing with it well enough. I'm not going to assume everyone is like you though. So I'll always add cautions for such when I see some say that hydration isn't needed during a ride.

genejockey 

I bet those of us who take a water bottle on a 20 mile ride will beat the ones who don't.

genejockey 

Some people perspire more than others. I know if I don't drink water on an hour+ ride on a hot day, not only does my throat dry out, but I end up hocking up rubbery phlegm afterwards.

prj71

Just did a 53 mile ride Saturday...88 degrees...Brought 2 bottles with me and 2 cliff bars. Only finished 3/4 of one bottle but did eat both cliff bars.

Only have had 2 days off the bike in the last 9 days.

southpier

interesting but scary at the same time.

if it's high temp, ya gotsta drink.

if you eat, ya gotsta drink.

but good onya for pushin' through.

off today?

prj71

Nope. Did 31-1/2 miles yesterday sans water and have another ~25 mile ride tonight which will also be without water.

Taking the next 3 days off because I will be participating in a 17 mile mountain bike race on Saturday. I'd like to say I should be drinking water during this event because I will be pushing myself a little harder than usual but I can never find the time during the race to grab the bottle and drink. For that to happen it requires slowing down or stopping and/or an easy section of trail where paying attention isn't that critical...but that rarely happens on single track MTB races for me so I skip it so as not to lose my place in the race.

southpier

i'm not convinced that regime is doing for you what you think it is.

Carbonfiberboy 

We still buy Fig Newmans in the stores. They're our favorite ride snack. Some folks really like Medjool dates. What one will eat or drink on a short ride varies with the rider, the weather, and their personal experience. A non-issue. Well, not just on a short ride, I'd say on all rides. The rule is that "everybody's different." What one wants to do is to ride enough that one knows exactly how much and what to eat and drink on any ride, all the way up to, I don't know, like 24 hours. A 400k is really fun, honest. Asking others isn't all that useful, other than seeing what the limits might be. The idea is to experiment on oneself. I can't even advise not doing anything dangerous as I've done plenty of dangerous stuff and am still here. Maybe just don't be stupid. Have a hypothesis. Push your limits. One only knows what one has tested.

Adventurousleep

Homemade alternatives to Fig Newtons can be nutrient-dense. A simple option is date and nut bars:

1. Blend 1 cup dates with 1 cup mixed nuts and 1/2 cup dried figs.
2. Press into a pan, chill, then cut into portable squares.

These provide complex carbohydrates and healthy fats for sustained energy. They're also rich in fiber and potassium, which may help prevent cramping.

southpier

that also sounds like a good hiking mix (season's coming in a few weeks for me); thanks

cyclomath

Raisins, dried apricots, dried cranberries, mixed with crushed walnuts, brasil nuts and peanuts. Or some other variation, depends on what I have at the moment.
The easiest way is to just put everything in a small container and every once in a while just grab a handful, and this is what I do most of the time (because i am lazy).
The better way is to mix it with oatmeal and some honey, spread into a thin layer, then very quickly roast it in the oven (only until it gets hard enough that it can keep its form, five minutes tops). Cut into pieces, wrap, pack, eat.