Personal memories underlining the advantages for cyclists of drinking sensibly and the penalties of getting it wrong
I’ve just posted an article about the importance of proper hydration and thought I’d also mention some personal experiences which helped me to understand the importance of staying hydrated, and the best ways to go about it.
I used to suffer frequently from cramp on long rides (2 hours plus), especially in hot weather. This was both painful and, I now know, unnecessary. In those days we used to carry drinks in bottles mounted on the frame, or when we weren’t racing, would often rely on stopping at a cafe or a pub. Cafes meant tea, and pubs meant beer. British beer is the best in the world, but quaffing a pint or two in the middle of a long day in the saddle isn’t really recommended.
Once upon a time the only way we knew to carry drinks was in a bottle (occasionally two) mounted on the frame. I discovered a major limitation of this arrangement on my first taste of real mountain-biking in the Quantock Hills; bottles got covered in mud, making them uninviting, if not unhealthy, to drink from. I was soon introduced to modern hydration systems and drinking through a tube. Apart from the hygiene benefits, I soon realised I was drinking more, often getting through a 2 litre reservoir when I would previously have had one 700ml bottle.
This was put to the test when I entered the Isle of Man End to End Mountain Bike Challenge, a 45-mile off-road event with some serious climbing. It was far the longest ride I’d done on a mountain bike and I set off with trepidation, but by making sure to drink plenty (I started off carrying 2 litres, and got a top-up half-way), it went smoothly, with not a trace of cramp. In fact I felt so good at the finish I wished I’d gone faster! If only I’d known a bit more about hydration when i was riding 50- and 100-mile time trials...
