Hydration in bikepacking: basic rules

The art of bikepacking begins with the choice of equipment. Specific bikepacking panniers, designed to fit the frame, saddle or handlebars perfectly, are proving to be great allies. They offer optimized space for water bottles and hydration systems, while preserving the bike's aerodynamics and balance.

The choice of materials is also crucial: panniers made from lightweight, waterproof materials ensure that equipment stays dry, without adding unnecessary weight.

To maximize space without weighing the bike down, every nook and cranny counts. Solutions such as bottle cages exploit often neglected areas, allowing you to carry more water without taking up too much space. Hydration systems like the Camelbak, with their flexible water pouch and easy-access tube, give you something to drink with ease, without having to stop or let go of the handlebars (perfect for those who don't want to choose between drinking and beating their personal record 🥇).

As for the water bottle, it remains a must-have, combining simplicity and efficiency. Available in a range of sizes, water bottles are easy to fill, clean and store. For performance-oriented bikepackers, a simple rule: the more water you have at hand, the less frequent your stops will be.

When the mercury rises or the course gets tougher, adjusting your hydration becomes critical. In bikepacking, where every day brings its share of climatic surprises and physical challenges, knowing how to manage your water intake is a key skill.

In hot weather, hydration requires extra vigilance. The rapid evaporation of sweat, sometimes imperceptible, increases the risk of dehydration without the alarm sounding. The golden rule? Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.

The ideal is to adopt a regular rhythm, drinking small quantities of water frequently. This ensures optimal absorption by the body and keeps hydration levels stable (there's no such thing as a thirst indicator yet, so you'll have to adapt! 😅 ).

Adjusting your water intake to suit your exertion and outdoor conditions is an art in itself. During long mountain bike climbs or gravel bike crossings of arid regions, the intensity of the effort can cause water requirements to vary significantly. For demanding routes, an increase in water consumption is necessary.

It's advisable to allow up to an extra liter for every hour of intense effort, especially during trekking at altitude where the air is drier and hydration more quickly compromised.

Experienced bikepackers recommend watching the color of their urine as an indicator of hydration: a pale yellow indicates good hydration, while a darker hue indicates an urgent need to drink more.

For extended adventures, where replenishing drinking water is part of the journey, planning your stops according to the water points available on the route becomes a strategy not to be overlooked.

When bikepacking, the quality of water consumed along the way plays a vital role in avoiding health problems that could turn an adventure into a misadventure (nobody wants to turn their journey into an epic quest for the nearest throne. 🥴).

Faced with water sources of uneven quality, modern-day adventurers equip themselves. Portable water filters and purification tablets are invaluable aids for ensuring safe drinking water, whatever the water source encountered on expeditions. These practical, lightweight tools fit easily into your pack, without weighing you down or taking up too much space.

Portable water filters, designed to eliminate bacteria and parasites, guarantee healthy water from virtually any source. Some models, true gems of technology, even promise to eliminate viruses, making a simple puddle a reliable source of hydration. Their use is simple: dive, pump and drink. With compact, rugged designs, these filters are ready to take on the challenges of the wildest courses.

Purification tablets, meanwhile, offer an effective, ultra-lightweight back-up solution. Perfect for treating larger quantities of water during overnight camping stops, they work in minutes to neutralize invisible threats. Their effectiveness relies on the release of chlorine or iodine, guaranteeing safe water for cooking or filling water bottles for the next day (forget the soda, okay? Even diet! 😜).

Water clarity does not guarantee its potability, hence the importance of suitable equipment. Investing in water purification products is a wise expense, far less than the price of an expedition ruined by illness.

Bonus tip: there are free water fountains in cemeteries so you don't die of thirst! 🪦

What is the ideal capacity for a water bottle or hydration system when bikepacking?

The ideal capacity varies according to the length of the trip and the possibility of refuelling. For day trips, 2 to 3 liters may be sufficient. For longer expeditions, we recommend systems capable of carrying up to 6 liters, divided between several reservoirs to balance the weight on the bike. Some cyclists opt for full support configurations, including waterproof black water bottles fixed to the handlebars and hydration pockets in the sleeping bag for overnight stops.

How to choose the best water bottle holder for bikepacking?

The best water bottle holder combines accessibility and safety. It must be compatible with your bike's frame, offer firm support to prevent loss en route, and allow easy extraction of the water bottle. Some models offer the option of attaching additional panniers to maximize storage space without compromising stability.

Is it better to rent or buy hydration equipment for a first bikepacking expedition?

For a first expedition, renting can be an interesting option for testing different types of equipment without committing to an immediate purchase. This allows you to assess what best suits your needs in terms of capacity, comfort and practicality. Once you've gained experience, investing in equipment that suits your preferences becomes an obvious choice for future adventures.