Don't Die of Thirst!
Pros:
holds 100oz of water, lots of cargo room
Cons:
not fun to keep clean
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
The sun is beating down my head back, and I am pedaling as efficiently as I am able. I am drenched in sweat. I can feel the heat through my helmet; it has to be at least 100 degrees outside, and theres no shade.
Where am I? The desert in Moab, Utah mountain bike capital of the world!
Everyone is warned to carry plenty of water before venturing outside in the wilderness. Temperatures easily hit 100 in the spring and fall. As for summer? Who knows how hot is can get out there!
Lets face it a 16-ounce water bottle isnt going to cut the mustard. Youll have that finished within 10 minutes of your start. What are you going to do then? Theres no water fountains out here. Heck, theres not even a river to refill your water bottle (and would you even want to drink that nasty stuff?).
I suppose there are a few alternatives. You could conceivably put some panniers on your bike and cart around gallon jars of water, but thats a ton of weight, and very unrealistic. You could put two water bottle cages on the frame, and then get a fanny pack that holds a water bottle or two, but thats still not enough water. Plus, the downside of water bottles is they fall off and roll into the dirt. Then you get to try to quench your dry throat with dirt and sand. Thats not much fun.
What I use is a Camelback M.U.L.E. (Medium to Ultra Long Endeavors). The M.U.L.E. is big enough to carry a 100-ounce water reservoir (three liters) inside, so you never have to worry about running out of water. You drink the water from a thick plastic tube with a bite-down valve on the tip. To drink, you bite down on the end, the pressure opens the valve and the water flows freely out and into your mouth. You do not need to suck as you would a straw from a water bottle.
Because the tube rests on your shoulder, it doesnt ever jar loose and fall to the ground. Thus, it stays clean, and youre not drinking dirt and water together. It is also a hands-free apparatus, meaning you can drink on the go and you do not have to take your hand off the handlebars to get a drink.
The cargo area has plenty of room to carry spare bike tubes, tools, your keys, wallet and cell phone, along with a mini-pump. I am also able to toss in a few Clif bars or an orange or something of that nature in case I get hungry or need energy.
There are some accessories I would recommend purchasing along with the Camelback. I would suggest purchasing a water bag insulator. This keeps your water cooler for a longer period of time. Nothing is more disgusting than being very hot and thirsty and then having to drink hot water. I would also recommend, for the same reason, getting a tube insulator. This will help keep your water that stays in the tube cool, so your first gulp isnt hot water. Also, the tube insulator comes with a bite-valve protector, which will keep the valve dirt-free should you take a spill.
What are the other advantages of a Camelback?
You are getting weight off your bike and transferring it to your body. The idea is to make your bike as light as possible, because it becomes easier to push up hills and go for longer distances. Serious cyclists look to drop as many grams as possible
forget ounces!
This isnt just for desert climates, either. I wear my Camelback whenever I ride, and fill the water reservoir to an appropriate level. If Im taking a short ride, I only put a small amount of water in. If Im doing a race that day, I fill it all the way.
I use my Camelback for other sports, such as hiking, cross-country skiing, and if I go to an outdoor event. The water is always there, yet Im not carrying anything in my hands.
The only downside I can think of is that you must be very careful to empty the reservoir when youre done, or put the reservoir in the refrigerator. If you choose to empty the reservoir, you must make sure the inside is very dry and has plenty of airflow. Otherwise, you risk bacteria and other nasties growing inside, which can make you ill.
