Are you scheduling a long bicycle ride this weekend along back country roads? Don't neglect your water needs to keep your body strong and safe. The most important piece of equipment you take along will be water. Remember, eighty five percent of a person's body is water.
The caloric consumption of a 50 to 60 mile bicycle ride can burn up to 4000 calories or more depending on your conditioning and the state of the environment in which you are cruising. You will burn many more calories on a hot day then biking on a mild day. You will also use less energy riding on flat ground than climbing hills and mountains. For any kind of bicycling you will need an ample supply of water.
A minimum of 2 one quart bottles are recommended by experts for a simple 60 mile run to slake your thirst. This does not take into account your own preferences and it is a good idea to take along more bicycle water bottles to make sure you stay hydrated for a longer trek. Long distance bicyclists sometimes equip themselves with water systems in back packs. Solo endurance, long distance bikers will often carry their own back pack water system and also sport water bottles to make sure they have an ample supply.
Back pack water storage systems come in different sizes to accommodate larger amounts of liquid. You can find 60, 72 and 100 liter packs. The 100 liter system needs extra support to stabilize the weight of the water. The better back packs come with a waist strap to help with this problem. You will never regret bringing extra water on your next bike trip. But, how much is enough water?
You probably are entering a mild state of dehydration if you are thirsty or experiencing cotton mouth. Determining the color of urine is an indicator of your water saturation point. Do you have clear urine? This generally means you are fine with your liquids. There is a good chance you need more water if it is dark or becomes cloudy.
Dehydration can happen to you faster than ten minutes and can be the cause of muscle cramps. Cramping in turn may lead to unnecessary fatigue leading to irrational fear. The resulting diminished strength and can affect you to lose much of your complex motor skills.
So before you take to the highway with your cycling buddies for that long road trip, check your maps, your repair kits and don't forget to pack plenty of good old H2O in your bicycle water bottle.
The caloric consumption of a 50 to 60 mile bicycle ride can burn up to 4000 calories or more depending on your conditioning and the state of the environment in which you are cruising. You will burn many more calories on a hot day then biking on a mild day. You will also use less energy riding on flat ground than climbing hills and mountains. For any kind of bicycling you will need an ample supply of water.
A minimum of 2 one quart bottles are recommended by experts for a simple 60 mile run to slake your thirst. This does not take into account your own preferences and it is a good idea to take along more bicycle water bottles to make sure you stay hydrated for a longer trek. Long distance bicyclists sometimes equip themselves with water systems in back packs. Solo endurance, long distance bikers will often carry their own back pack water system and also sport water bottles to make sure they have an ample supply.
Back pack water storage systems come in different sizes to accommodate larger amounts of liquid. You can find 60, 72 and 100 liter packs. The 100 liter system needs extra support to stabilize the weight of the water. The better back packs come with a waist strap to help with this problem. You will never regret bringing extra water on your next bike trip. But, how much is enough water?
You probably are entering a mild state of dehydration if you are thirsty or experiencing cotton mouth. Determining the color of urine is an indicator of your water saturation point. Do you have clear urine? This generally means you are fine with your liquids. There is a good chance you need more water if it is dark or becomes cloudy.
Dehydration can happen to you faster than ten minutes and can be the cause of muscle cramps. Cramping in turn may lead to unnecessary fatigue leading to irrational fear. The resulting diminished strength and can affect you to lose much of your complex motor skills.
So before you take to the highway with your cycling buddies for that long road trip, check your maps, your repair kits and don't forget to pack plenty of good old H2O in your bicycle water bottle.
About the Author:
Larry Wildems has been bicycling for almost all of his 26 years. He has trekked and led many long ride bicycle treks across the United States and Europe. He has traveled through some of the countries of Central America and is planning a long trek across central China. You can find out more about sports water bottles and water delivery systems, bicycles and bicycling accessories at his website: http://www.bicyclewaterbottle.net
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