Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Water Is The Most Important Item To Take On A Long Trek Bicycle Tour

By Larry Wildems

If you are taking a long ride on your bicycle this weekend with friends go for a relaxing tour of back roads and enjoy the scenery. You have to take an ample supply of fresh water in order to keep up your strength and stay focused. Water will be the most important item to carry with you. Don't forget that the human body needs to be replenished with water to stay saturated at about 85%.

Research shows that a 50 to 60 mile bike run burns an average of 4000 calories depending on how fit you are and how hot the day is. There is more energy spent on hot days than mild or cools days. If you are traveling on hills or mountain trails, you will burn more energy than biking over level,even ground. Either way, you will require to pack enough water to take care of your needs.

Studies have found that most bikers will need a minimum of 2 quart bicycle water bottles to satisfy their thirst on a sixty mile trip. Two quarts is just a recommendation and it is a good idea to add several more bottles if you are going on a longer trip. Often, long distance bicycle trekkers, when traveling over several days, will wear water systems in back packs. Some solo endurance bike riders, when traveling over very long distances, carry their own back pack water systems and will sport water bottles as extra water sources.

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.

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.

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