2 ltrs or 3 ltrs? What type of hydration pack have you used?

[Edwinsprint]

Just wondering how much water should I take ? I have no support. I have got quite a few gels.

About to buy a Fox Oasis or Camelbak Mule any other recommendations?

Many thanks

Ed

[yoda]

You'll probably only drink on the road between cold cotes and Hill inn and then again from ribblehead to horton in Ribblesdale.

The rest of the time you'll either be hurtling downhill so can't take your hands off the bars, ......or............
.......going up hill and breathing out of your arse so badly that you won't be able to get enough air in, let alone liquid!

[Edwinsprint]

Okay but how much will I need to carry. My frame is small so will not be able to use bottlle cages.

2 or 3 ltrs

Cheers

[simon]

Decide on the day/weather. You could get a 3 litre camelbak, but just put 2 litres in of course, but obviously not the other way round.
I have used a 2.5 litre for the past couple of years, which seems about right for me. Only you would know how much liquid you would usually consume for the length of time you would predict your race to last.

[cmyk]

I use a Camelbak Octane which has a 2 litre bladder.
The reason I use this though is because it sits very low on the back with the bladder at waist height. This stops the pack pushing my helmet over my eyes on the steeper descents!

[neil²]

I used CamelBak 1.5l last year and had a stash of water to refill hidden near Chapel le Dale, and from crew at the viaduct.

I have just bought a new 2l to speed up refilling (just swap). Rutland Cycles were the cheapest and it came in 2 days for me (£30).

I'm pretty paranoid about hydration so I might be overdoing it, taking on more liquids than you might choose to. I usually aim for 750 ml / hour.

[Identicalbutlighter]

There's individual variation, but 1 litre + some water gulped at foot of Whernside is usually sufficient for me, even for hot & dry episodes of the Peaks (looks unlikely). Current best evidence now supports a drink to thirst policy (I could give references if you really want, look up the works of Tim Noakes, particularly his papers in the Brit Journal Sports Med if you're interested).

[lanterne rouge]

Personally I'd err on the side of caution and take more rather than less. It may also depend on how long you're likely to be out there - if you are going round in under four hours you might not need so much, but if, like me (though sadly not this year) you are more likely to be out there for six, then I'd go for the full three litres.

[crazy-legs]

I've always used a 2L one, usually with about 1.5L of water in there.
Also take a bottle with energy drink and I've got through the whole lot before.

[killa]

2l hydration pack from tesco for £10 - can't go wrong! This year I'm trying two 1 litre bladders in it - one with water and one with 50% orange juice and 50% water.