BASICS OF HYDRATION PACKS

Hydration packs have become standard equipment for hikers, bicyclists, campers, and any other outdoor recreation.

Of course, they are also very useful gift for motorcycle riders.

HYDRATION PACKS get their name from their “backpack” design. The pack contains a fluid reservoir, or “bladder,” which is manufactured from rubber or flexible plastic. (Note: there are also or waistpack designs, too, where the bladder is worn around the belt area).

The “bladder” or fluid reservoir includes a capped opening for filling the liquid. From that, a hose is available for the wearer of the hydration pack to drink hands-free. The hoses themselves have an ending with a “bite valve,” which simply means that when you put the thing in your mouth and bikte down on it, the fluid is available for drinking. Bladder sizes can range in fluid capacity from 1.5 to 3.0 litres and are oftentimes replaceable, should you the original bladder get damaged or punctured.

HYDRATION PACK TIPS FOR RIDERS

Specifically in terms of motorcycle riding, these hydration packs do allow a rider to drink while on the road, however, the use of the hose and bite valve can be more difficult with a full-face helmet.

Further, in the warmer months, it doesn’t take long for that water reservoir to get real hot. It’s very practical to fill the thing with ice cubes at convenience stores along the road. Alternatively, if you fill the bladder with ice cubes at the start of the day, you’ll get a number of hours of cool water – depending upon exactly how hot it actually is at the time.

Another factor to be aware of, even if you do fill the reservoir with ice, the water that is in the hose itself can become quite hot, depending upon how long it’s been since your last drink. So, if you know you have cool water in the bladder, but the several ounces of water in the hose is ready to boil in your mouth, then just be aware of it and spit it out until the good stuff makes it way down to where it’s needed!

Note: Using the hose, particularly with a full-face helmet, and especially on a day when the water in the hose itself is too hot, can be distracting to riding, so from an ideal safety perspective, you would be better off pulling off the side of the road to wet your whistle.

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