Fuzzygalore.com Don’t Drink and Ride? Err, Not Exactly
It is pretty commonplace to see the boys and girls who ride offroad wearing camelbacks. At any organized event that I’ve been to so far, it is more common to see riders with something to drink strapped to their back than not.
But when it comes to street riding, I can’t say that I have noticed the same trend. Granted, on the surface it would seem that the dirt rider would need the water more, but the reality is the only thing you need to do to become dehydrated is use more fluid than you take in. It doesn’t require strenuous activity.
While I was traveling on the Speed Triple this past July, there was one day on the road when I was riding alone that I was absolutely not good to myself. I spent hours and hours riding tank to tank, but not drinking when I stopped. The result was me feeling a little off, a little headachey and had I been riding with someone else no doubt they would felt the wrath of my “I’m hot and thirsty” crankiness that is the stuff of legend in my circle of friends.
I just wrote a little guest post for the Allstate Good Hands Community on the topic of keeping yourself hydrated when you’re on the road. (Take a peek there, won’t you?)
Now, I absolutely KNOW I should have something to drink when I’m traveling on my street bike. But, I’m not always in the routine of bringing something along. I need to work on that.
How about you?
Do you always have water, a camelback or something to drink with you when you’re on the motorcycle?
Comments
You know my story…
I learned from that ordeal…
oh, that’s right! I actually hasn’t thought of that. You were pretty wiped out from your ride down.
Do you actually have a camelback now or are you sticking with re-using a water bottle?
No camelback, I have a new suit where I can use some kind of camelback (courtesy of The Crudster) but when I normally ride I have a water bottle under the pillion seat…
And Crud, there’s more convenience stores here than you know…
Although I guess you’re thinking about our Alps trip. Then you’re right. You need to take something to drink with you…
Every gas stop I take I try to drink at least half a bottle of water(20oz). Which combined with the frequency of my stops because of italian engineering works out really well. I might start doing the camelback though if it is an extra hot day but I can’t stand riding the Duc with anything on my back I just find it uncomfortable.
I often have my camelbak on when I’m out on long rides – I think mine is only about 1.5 litres, but its small enough that it isn’t too heavy and doesn’t get in the way……and I need to get it ready for tomorrow’s trip….I think there is still water in it from the last time, which would taste pretty rank by now!
I have never used a camelback but maybe I should start. Even though my Concours carries 7.5 gallons of gas, I usually like to stop every 100 + miles or no more than 2 hours riding, than I drink lots of water. I guess I’m like a camel, I hold my water pretty well
Your point is accurate and affects all of us. As invincible as I believe I am, I was once riding poorly and couldn’t understand why; then I realized it was severe dehydration. It can hit you beneath conscious notice.
Most streetriders like myself don’t carry liquid because we assume we can get some anywhere. Almost every gas station now has a foodmart.
Shybiker – oddly, when overseas that “instant access” to food and drink is nearly nonexistent, and isn’t something you even consider when planning a trip to other countries. Heading up the block to a 7-11, Wah Wah, Sheets, etc can’t happen because they just don’t have that “convenience”. We definitely have it good here
Think back to any of the rides or trips I’ve shared with you and my 2L Camelback should have always been on my back, save for that special bicycle ride with Novos over Thanksgiving.
While offroad might be more work I think a fully geared up street rider needs water just as much, if not more; riding on asphalt surely makes a difference compared to the fields and woods. And what about the bike differences? How much heat does the DRZ put off compared to the 996? LOL
I’m halfway there. I have a camelbak, but I haven’t used it yet on the motorcycle. Just haven’t gone on a longer trip since I picked it up. I use it for bicycling in hot weather too. I prefer water bottles, but I drink more if I can take a quick sip here and there.
There’s a similar trend among bicyclists. Mtn bikers use camelbaks, roadies, for the most part don’t.
Duc – certainly no way hotter than the Duc
However, you do deal with one aspect of riding that is definitely lacking in comparison to street riding: WIND.
Often in the woods you are riding in full gear, physically exerting yourself quite a bit more than on a street bike, surrounded by an environment of trees and foliage that keep the air from moving at all – it can be stifling. I came very close to full-on heat stroke in the pine barrens in high heat and ended up laying in a bed of stickerbushes in my boxers trying to cool myself down. Not again, me hopes.
This is a great tip! I wouldn’t have thought of this. I took my MSF course a few months ago and I remember being pretty thirsty during the breaks. All that focusing and riding put a toll on my body! I’ll be sure now to bring water. Thanks!
Great, Liezl!
Welcome to the wold of 2 wheels