[Closed] How much water/kit do you take out?

My regular ride is just under three hours and I take:

2l water

2 x trail bars

Tube

Tools and a set of pads

Waterproof jacket

I would take 3-4L water for a full 24hr overnight camping trip, which includes 3hrs riding. So unless you’re going exceptionally hard, or it’s very warm, I’d say you’re carrying a little more than required.
Have you been checked for diabetes?
Or some other underlying health condition, there are many.
Im a 51yo biffer with T2, I probably carry more water than most btw, just for context.

My standard MTB ride is 3hrs / 30 miles:
1l of water (in 750ml bottle, usually half a refill halfway)
no snacks (or possibly a PBJ sandwich if I think I'll stay out longer - 3hrs is my limit without eating)
multi-tool
spare tube
puncture repair kit
phone
£5

3 hours ride for me would be:
1.5l weak electrolyte mix.
An emergency gel that never gets used.
Multi-tool
Pump and/or CO2
Tube
tyre lever
Phone and Garmin

Unless I’m absolutely hammering it I don’t need food for this length of ride, just eat well before hand and make sure you’re well hydrated too. The gel is as a “get me home” if there’s a problem.

These days for most rides (2 to 4hrs) I only take a 750ml bottle, I make sure I'm hydrated before I set off.
Only take more if it's very hot or I'm staying out all day.

For 3hrs I'd take one 750ml bottle and use one of a few taps on route to top up, maybe a slice of cake or scone etc.

I appreciate that not everyone has access to a network of taps on their rides, but if you can figure one out that's 1.75kg of weight you can save carrying on your back, that's significant weight saving right there!

3 hour ride on a mild 14-18 degree day

1 Bottle of water in a bottle cage

1 Nakd bar

Mountain morph pump strapped to frame

Spare inner tube, tyre levers, multi tool, spare chain link and a wind proof in a 1.5 litre saddle bag.

Phone and sunglasses in a planetX bottle case in a jersey pocket.

Riding without a backpack is so much more pleasant.

2*750ml water
Mini pump
Repair kit
Allen key
Mobile
BC card with £5 wrapped to it
~25 jelly babies
Maybe a gel

For me, water becomes a major issue when it gets warm, such as this coming Monday. 1.5l might just get me around a 3 hour hilly loop if I get out before ~0800 and take the climbs at very easy power.

Taking a cat4/3 climb at "full tilt" (at up to ~4W/Kg when I'm ~80Kg, Bernal is safe for now 😉 ) when it's ~25C+ will result in me using one 750ml bottle of cold water very quickly as I recover.

1.5-2.25l of water
nut bar x 1 (2 if over 3 hours)
Multitool
Leatherman
Torx tool
2 x spare tubes
2 x CO2 bottles plus CO2 pump
1 x normal pump
1 x shock pump
1 x chain splitter
Tyre pressure tool
2 x missing links
1 x first aid kit (large when doing bikeparks)

Probably carry a little more on the days, such as glasses or spare gloves, weather dependent as well, could mean carrying waterproofs.

All in all, it's a bit of weight, but find it's useful at some time, especially on group rides when someone has an issue, just been the way i've ridden through life, it's increased over time every time i get one of those ride killer breakages!

For that length of ride i take:

2l of homemade electrolyte drink, or water if ICBA

Snacks -  2 or 3 flapjack bar type things,  1 pack of crisps, an apple and a banana, and if I have time I'll make a sandwich

Tube and tyre levers strapped to the bike

Pump and minitool and patches in the pack

Unless the weather looks to be changeable, no jacket

First aid kit with basic bits inc. paracetamol/ibuprofen

As much as riding without a pack is nicer, I'm happy dealing with the sweaty back.  If you always get home with a decent amount of food and drink, just try a ride with a bit less and see what happens. It's not like you're going to starve to death or become severely dehydrated if you drink 1l less water over the course of a 3 hour ride.

Usual 3-4 hour ride

Two bottles - one with High 5 Zero, one with squash.

A chewy bar

A gel

A facemask, a tenner and a credit card for the cafe stop

3hr local ride. One bottle of water. Tubeless repair kit. Pump. Multitool

None. I can't reach it as I'd crash.

I stop for beer instead

Without beers, I'm staying home

For my 3 hour local I take the following.
1.5L of water in my hip pack
Multi tool
2 x cable ties (just in case)
2 packets of Dextros Energy tablets
2 surgical wipes and 1 large plaster (just in case)

If the weathers changeable I'll pop either of the following in my hip pack as well.
Rain jacket or base layer.

I've never punched on my local so I no longer bother with plugs/spare tubes/pumps

I'll also only drink water in the hour before I ride so I'm well hydrated before I head out

If you have water left after the ride, take less next time. If you run out, take more next time.

I was out for 2 hours yesterday and took:

600ml water.

A chocolate nut bar thing.

1xtube, tyre levers, and a multi tool.

Was wearing a wind proof gilet but took it off as was too hot.

2.5 litres in 3 hours? - I'd be needing to wee every 15 minutes!

Seriously, you can over-hydrate (hyperhydration / water toxaemia) - better off putting some hydration tabs in there to maintain your electrolyte balance. Get it badly wrong and it can be fatal.

In terms of the amount of kit, very much depends on terrain, weather, access to bailing point / safety and confidence in your maintenance. These days I carry a tubeless repair kit, sealant, CO2 inflator (2 cannisters) spare tube, tyre levers, chainlink, multitool regardless - it all fits in my saddle pack.

Most I've taken was 6 or 7 litres. But that was for a ramble rather than a ride.

3 litres of water is what I would normally take on a sea kayak trip per 24 hrs, to cover all my drinking and cooking. A day out riding I wouldn't carry more than 1 litre.

500 ml water + one snack bar per hour.

One tube + tubeless repair kit
Multitool
Pump
Spare quick link.
Windproof

I'd take a bottle (750ml) of water or high 5 zero in a cage. My phone, with Android pay on it, in my pocket. A pump clipped to the bottle cage. A tube taped behind the headtube. A Pedros tulio rear QR with built in tools. A caffeinated gel or 2 in case I blow up. A buff to double as a face covering. Water or windproof jacket if the weather looks to need it. Oh, and a spare pair of daily lenses if wearing them that day.

For a bigger ride/day out, I'd add a warm top, extra tube, maybe a map and snacks in an Alpkit Gnaro handlebar bag.

I see a few of us carry some first aid stuff with us.

I'd urge everyone to carry a foil emergency blanket. They take up no space, and can make a real difference to a casualty in the event of a crash while waiting for ambulance. Twice I've needed them on road rides I've been leading, another time I've given one to people helping a rider in an RTA as they hadn't got one, MrsMC has given one we kept in the car to a rider who had come off on ice.

Basically, just avoid the roads in Derbyshire near the MoreCash household 🤣

Same as TJ

Probably something like half a litre per hour. More than I need, but I'll often drink just for comfort- don't like a dry or dusty mouth.

Kit, basically one of two options. The bumbag- just a tiny first aid kit, a multitool, a tube, a co2 gun, a gel and my phone. Or a backpack, in which case it's the same but more so- better first aid kit, some spares, an actual pump, some food, a lightweight waterproof, and a tree saw. Nothing troublesome to carry, all stuff that sooner or later I'd wish I had.

And of course, 3 mech hangers for bikes I no longer own.

3 hrs local? 750ml water, probably a pint of ale half way. Can do without the pint 😎 Normally will down 500ml water before leaving home.

Carry:
tube
mini-pump
Pedros levers
Topeak multitool
Facemask/buff
50ml antibac gel
Tick-Twister
Debit card
Smartphone

Pump and water bottle fixed to bike, the rest goes in a (30cm) double-pocket frame-bag (under top-tube) that I picked up from Aldi/Aisle Of Dreams. Figured I’d replace the bag one day (panic purchase on an impromptu weekend trip) but 2+ years on and it’s still going!

Further afield will take small first aid kit, saline, wound-closure-strips, SAK Champ, Camelbak Lobo/hydration and/or a second bottle.

For a 2-3 hour ride I take a 400ml runners bottle (in my jersey pocket as don't have bottle cage mounts) and a phone.

That is all I take.

I ride a brakeless, fixed gear bike running nigh on puncture proof tyres and the only thing that could realistically go wrong is the chain snapping (which did happen last year when 10 miles from home which is where the phone came in handy)

One up EDC.
Water, CO2, tube if going miles and miles.

I find with water if I start drinking it I keep wanting more. And with food it makes my hockle thick. Then I need to drink, etc. So I don't bother.

Always interesting...

Think about the 3 Peaks cyclocross; 3 hours plus at race pace.
No one at the sharp end is taking or consuming 3 litres of water.
Think about a marathon; no one is consuming 3 litres unless they are walking for a length of time.

I'd never even think about taking 3 litres of water on a bike ride unless I was staying out all night.

For a 3 hour local ride I'd take 500 mls of water and come back with 250mls.

Thanks everyone, so a bit less water and a lot less food sounds about right.

I think I’m a bit over concerned with hitting the wall so I’m consuming lots of haribo to avoid this and drinking in excess. Perhaps I’ll take less on well used trail centre and go for a second lap and see how I feel.

My old circuit training instructor said most people should be able to do two hours exercise before really needing water.

Always try set out rehydrated and fed hr prior.

2ltrs for 3 hr ride and just a couple of energy sweets & few nuts in pack as do not like to eat when out riding.

Regarding water, I think everyone is different. I sweat an awful lot and suffer really (really!) bad headaches if I don’t drink enough while I exercise. But I think that 1.5 litres for 3 hours exercise would still be enough - with a pre-ride drink and then some more at the car afterwards.

Argee, why do you take a shock pump out with you? Have you ever used it on the trails?

I find I drink miles less on the MTB than on the road. I’ll probably get through a 600ml bottle every hour or maybe a bit less on the road, invariably with hydro tabs in.

Off road I’ll take 1.5 litres for a three hour ride with no tabs in (I never put anything other than plain water in a hydration pack bladder) and always end up with some left.

Ask yourself how much fluid you normally empty out when you get back, I wouldn’t worry about the cost of some squash but it’s more of a shame to have lugged around a litre extra, maybe 1.5/2kg right there. That would cost a fair bit to shift of your bike weight.

I used to take 2 to 2.5 litres thinking to be on the safe side, however any ride upto 5 or 6 hours I’m only really getting through 1/1.5 max. Recently I’ve. Ut right back and like you used to carry two tubes but haven’t punctured on the MTB for a couple of years so also dropped to one.

More recently I’ve started to use a hip pack which feels much nicer to ride with and helps you rationalise what your packing.

Out for 4hrs then 2l electrolyte, flapjack, lightweight jacket, 1 aid kit, multi tool, pump, tube, brake pads, gear cable. Spares tool and pump fit on the bottle cage. Bum bag for the rest

Brake pads? Is that an issue where you ride?

Think about the 3 Peaks cyclocross; 3 hours plus at race pace.
No one at the sharp end is taking or consuming 3 litres of water.

Meanwhile I burned 2 litres of isotonic mix getting halfway round an enduro last year and was just about done in when I got a refill. How much you need depends entirely on the weather, terrain and exertion. Hell, I can easily get through half a litre doing the 7 and a half mile cycle to work but burn through nothing doing exactly the same ride on the mountain bike.

trailtom
Free Member

Brake pads? Is that an issue where you ride?

It's not, which is why I carry spares, every so often I ride somewhere else and it burns through pads faster than I expected.

Also useful if you should accidentally just run your pads out, not that I'd ever do that, oh no.

Depending on your PoV, I guess I ride either with minimalist efficiency or a reckless lack of preparation...

Local rides are usually 2 - 2.5 hours for me. No water, no food, spare tube, CO2 x 2, multitool, zip ties, worms and that's about it for kit. Phone and camera.

Longer rides (up to 4 hours). Same tool kit as above plus pump, 2 x 500ml bottles, maybe a bag of jelly babies or similar / malt loaf.

'All day' ride. As above but bottle replaced by 2l bladder. Maybe a bit more food and a first aid kit.

Meanwhile I burned 2 litres of isotonic mix getting halfway round an enduro last year and was just about done in when I got a refill.

But have a look at how much you can actually absorb while exercising. The rest is just sloshing about in your tummy.

What Miketually said.

However, your recommended alternative sounded pretty sensible. If you’ve bonked before (I’ve had a few bad experiences myself) then I’d recommend an emergency gel or two. Much faster working IME than haribo or trail mix. And you can leave them at the bottom of the pack and forget about them.

Oh, and neck a pint of water before you head out 😉

For 3hr ride:
- phone
- emergency cash
- pump (with valve core tool)
- tiny puncture repair kit (the glue has usually leaked out and dried)
- tubeless tyre plugs and tool
- garmin (sometimes just the phone if it's dark)
-tube
- 2 tyre levers
- multi tool (with chain tool)
- spare quick links, valve core, cleat bolts, 2 different length chainring bolts. Spare mech hanger for rides further away, assuming I have one for the particular bike
- energy / breakfast bar just in case

If it's hot, like over 22-24 degrees, 750ml bottle with half a nicely flavoured electrolyte tablet. Generally don't carry proper food unless it's an all dayer.

Almost never wear a pack. If it's real mountains like the Alps then a pack with lunch, first aid kit, blanket and jacket.

If I had to take as much stuff with me as some of you I would either not bother riding or maybe pick a bike that isn't likely to need all that stuff to fix it.
The only mechanical I have had in last 20 years is a broken chain and that was mostly my fault for riding a chain I had shortened and lengthened a lot while experimenting with gearing.

Clearly this is dependent on where and how hard you ride. A 2-3 hour local is not unusual for us. 500ml of water, spare inner tube, mini pump and multi tool. Some times a cereal bar but rarely. Surprised by the quantity of water, food kit being carried but if well off the beaten track, we’d carry a lot more. Would say the weather or time of year affects the above but again if heading in the proper hills in winter, we’d carry some appropriate kit.

My old circuit training instructor said most people should be able to do two hours exercise before really needing water.

This, as long as you're hydrated first.
I always drink a pint of water before heading out.
If it's a 2-3 hour ride then I'll take 500ml bottle with me and unless it's a hot day I won't drink it all.
I use an Evoc lumbar pack, so phone, mini pump, tool, tube, tubeless bits and an apple + banana in there.
Sorted.

Seriously, you can over-hydrate (hyperhydration / water toxaemia)

This was me when I first got a camelback. Would drink all through the ride (cos “Hydrate or die”) and then get a headache so though I hadn’t drunk enough. Next ride I would drink more with the same effect. It was only finding out about water intoxication and then cutting back that stopped them.

depends but not a lot different to some of the lists above which seem to replicate my position of "I've learnt I might need this to get me home under my own pedal power and so I'll take it"...as to bonking...had a full on the ground can't move after doing a "friends" no map needed know where we are going pre breakfast 1hr went to lost and 3 hrs ride...good news was some very old chocolate from the bottom of the tool bag did fix me and though I'd avoid I now know it isn't the end of the world...as to how much fluid have had cramping problems and I'd promote the snake oil that is cider vinegar and will take some on long hot days (30deg+ for me) as well as spare hydralyte tablets...mentioned this before and well worth a listen....usual cyclingtips rambling podcast (get on with it!) but seems to suggest that yep some people will be fine with 500ml bottle for 3 hr ride but others sweat differently and need to rehydrate differently

https://cyclingtips.com/2019/06/cyclingtips-podcast-the-things-you-can-learn-from-sweat/

1 liter of water, I try to drink 500ml an hour.
I'll often take my filter bottle to so o can drink from any water source.
I will eat a bar every 2 hours, take a pump tyre levers and a tube, plus a multi tool that's it.

237.5 ml per hour!

I think I’m a bit over concerned with hitting the wall so I’m consuming lots of haribo to avoid this

You might be crashing because of the Haribo.

I tend to always have water left on return (750ml) from local 2-3hr rides.

Haven’t thought about about electrolytes for years as have been in rehab so rides aren’t as strenuous. Like others have said, hydration requirements depend on many factors, ie body-weight, metabolic rate, weather/ambient temp, output etc.

On most solo rides I just sip straight water from the 750ml and normally have about 100-200ml remaining on return home. The more I sweat, the more I drink. Have to be a little more mindful in ‘winter’ (Uk Midlands doesnk

If riding with friend/s then a pint and a bag of salted nuts really gives a boost on the return climbs (all our routes have return climbs). Feels as if wearing an Ironman suit/have popped a superpower-pill.

Wait, isn’t a pint of ‘session‘ ale and a few handfuls of salted nuts the perfect hydration package?

On a longer ride (and with no pub or shop en-route/planned) then I will often take a peanut butter sandwich, along with extra water. Maybe a piece of fruit but IME I gob fruit too early just to be able ditch the extra cargo.