Taking A Long Bicycle Trek Or Tour? Make Sure You Bring Enough Water.
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.
Most experts recommend a minimum of 2 quart size water bottles for an easy 60 mile trip. This is just a bare minimum amount and you should add 1 or 2 more bicycle water bottles if you are going for a longer trek. If riding for a longer stretch, you might want to consider using a back pack water system. Longer distance, solo endurance bicycle riders often depend on carrying several, one quart sports water bottles attached to their bicycle frame and wearing a back pack water system.
There are different sizes of water storage systems available for your safe travels. The can range from 60 to 100 liter back packs. The larger 100 liter packs need extra stabilizing support because of the water’s weight. Most of these systems come with adjustable waist straps to help keep them in place. One never will regret bring another bottle of water on your bike trek. However, how do you know you have 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.
After as soon as ten minutes of dehydration, the body can develop muscle cramping. General fatigue and irrational fear can follow the onset of this cramping. This condition can develop into diminished strength and loss of complex motor skills if left untended.
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.
Larry Wildems has been cycling for almost all of his 26 years. He has trekked and led many long ride bicycle treks across the USA and Europe. He has traveled throughout most of the countries of Central America and is planning a long trek across parts of China. Find out more about sports water bottles and water delivery systems, bicycles and cycling accessories at his website: http://www.bicyclewaterbottle.net
Tags: bicycle water bottle, bicycles, bicycling, biking, family, insulated water bottle, outdoors, recreation and sports, sport, sport water bottle, sports, sports water bottle, trekking, Vacations
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