| Cycle Touring Health & Medical Issues |
| Cycle Touring Health & Medical Issues |
| Cycle Touring Health | Rehydration |
International cycle travelers have three thing to
think about concerning hydration.
think about concerning hydration.
- Finding Clean Water
- Hydration Solutions / Drinks
- Carrying Water on the Bike
- Stopping to Drink
| Finding Clean Water |
In the developing world this can be a real
problem. Even in the developed world it is
often possible to find water everywhere but
none is drinkable (potable).
We carry a Katadyn Pocket Water Filter that
removes impurities from the water. Even in
countries where water is available from
roadside vendors we prefer to pump our own.
When cycling in hot climates we drink a lot,
sometimes as much as ten liters a day.
Throwing that many plastic bottles into the
trash just seems wrong.
In some remote locations such as Peru,
northern Chile, North Africa, Tibet, Nepal,
Central India, and others, it may be difficult to
find water sources of any kind. We met one
cyclist in Chile who had ordered detailed
government maps of small seasonal streams
along his route where he could dig to find
water. In these regions planning where to find
water is crucial and could be the difference
between life and death.
problem. Even in the developed world it is
often possible to find water everywhere but
none is drinkable (potable).
We carry a Katadyn Pocket Water Filter that
removes impurities from the water. Even in
countries where water is available from
roadside vendors we prefer to pump our own.
When cycling in hot climates we drink a lot,
sometimes as much as ten liters a day.
Throwing that many plastic bottles into the
trash just seems wrong.
In some remote locations such as Peru,
northern Chile, North Africa, Tibet, Nepal,
Central India, and others, it may be difficult to
find water sources of any kind. We met one
cyclist in Chile who had ordered detailed
government maps of small seasonal streams
along his route where he could dig to find
water. In these regions planning where to find
water is crucial and could be the difference
between life and death.
| Rehydration Solution |
| Carrying Water on the Bike |
Water weighs one kilo (2.2 pounds) per liter.
That's a lot! Finding a place on your bike for
a days worth of water can be a heavy
challenge.
We have two MSR Dromedary bags and two
water bottles each that together allow us to
carry a total of nearly ten liters.
That's a lot! Finding a place on your bike for
a days worth of water can be a heavy
challenge.
We have two MSR Dromedary bags and two
water bottles each that together allow us to
carry a total of nearly ten liters.
The biggest mistake when using commercial
rehydration solutions (sports drinks) is to
drink them straight from the bottle. If a sports
drink is more concentrated than your body's
fluids, then your body will have to bring fluids
into the intestinal tract from your blood
stream in order to decrease the
concentration of the fluid so that it can be
absorbed. Dilute it and it will absorb better.
When preparing for a really hot day it is
possible to make your own fluid replacement
drink using:
rehydration solutions (sports drinks) is to
drink them straight from the bottle. If a sports
drink is more concentrated than your body's
fluids, then your body will have to bring fluids
into the intestinal tract from your blood
stream in order to decrease the
concentration of the fluid so that it can be
absorbed. Dilute it and it will absorb better.
When preparing for a really hot day it is
possible to make your own fluid replacement
drink using:
- A spoonful of salt (sodium)
- 1/3 spoon of baking soda (sodium
bicarbonate) - A few packets of sugar (sucrose)
- Liter of water
- Eat a banana for breakfast (potassium)
| Stopping to Drink |
I am not sure what it is about cycle touring but
for some reason it is difficult to remember to
stop and rest. It must have something to do
with the hypnotic circular rhythm or the always
changing scenery. Anyhow, forcing yourself to
stop, rest, and drink every so often is critical,
especially in hot climates.
We met a group of women in Vietnam cycling
from London to Australia who would set a
stop watch to beep at regular intervals as a
reminder to stop and drink.
for some reason it is difficult to remember to
stop and rest. It must have something to do
with the hypnotic circular rhythm or the always
changing scenery. Anyhow, forcing yourself to
stop, rest, and drink every so often is critical,
especially in hot climates.
We met a group of women in Vietnam cycling
from London to Australia who would set a
stop watch to beep at regular intervals as a
reminder to stop and drink.
| Rich Pumping Water |
Cycle Touring Health & Safety > Hydration | Drinking
