(de)hydration rates

[orgasmicliving!!]

How many litres of fluid should one replace per hour while biking? I am gearing up for a 40 mile ride (2.5 hours or so) and have a 3 litre container in my backpack. Is this enough or should I pack a couple of water bottles as well?

Many thanks!

[Parrot of Doom]

Thats probably just about enough.

I just figure it out as I go. If I'm thirsty, I drink. If I need a pee, I've drunk too much

[orgasmicliving!!]

OK, cool, thanks. I am a little nervous.

I went riding with a professional group for the first time last Wed evening. They did a "scenic tour" of San Francisco, about 25 miles. It was fantastic!!! After every hill they took a break and had snacks while I huffed and puffed up to them. It was very nice of them to make allowances for me, as they are the kind who have done Norway to Italy or across Angola on bikes with 70 lb panniers hanging off. And all of them have ridden around the US and Canada. I got a lot of catching up to do.

Funny thing was, after a while, the cold and hurt went away... They did warn me that my knees might explode later, but it didn't happen. And today, riding by myself, I noticed my average speed was quite bit higher than before, despite a headwind. I love it!!!

To reward myself I went and got some more gear too, hehehehe!

[Trooper2]

Hey OL, here are some hydration tips from REI:

www.rei.com/online/store/LearnShareDetailArticlesList?categoryId=Cycling&url=rei/learn/cycle/clhydrf.jsp&vcat=REI_EXPERT_ADVICE_CYCLING

I noticed you said it took you a while to feel good on the bike, even when I was riding alot I had the same thing, it usually took me 3 to 5 miles to get good and comfortable, warmed up and feeling strong. Some rides I had to push myself to get there, as starting out I'd feel so rotten and would want to quite for the day. Just ride through the early blahs and unless you are coming down with something you will feel better after a few miles.