Can you wear a hydration backpack during the bike???

docandchef - 2009-09-16 5:51 PM Hello, first timer here. Will be participating in my first tri on Oct 10 San Diego Classic. Was wondering if you can wear a hydration backpack on the bike course, or is that illegal, does your number have to be displayed?

mrheathen - 2009-09-17 9:14 AM Nothing new on race day, so if you train with the camelback and the rules don't prohibit it, definitely wear it. I did not bring mine for my season opener this year and almost ate it a couple of times trying to hydrate. Just make sure that you're following the regs for displaying the bib #.

You won't see a lot of people with camelbacks on race day. I don't know what they know that I don't. I find it simpler to reach for my shoulder than to reach between my legs when I want a drink.

tri_d00d - 2009-09-17 9:49 AM i've seen ppl put hydration packs under their jersies, to reduce drag...

i was going to use a hydration pack on a long ride a little while back. once i had it on, i took it off. i'd rather let myself get dehydrated than tote that thing around!

trix - 2009-09-17 10:35 AM

you can't think why?

- bike position on a tri bike or a road bike.  a camel back will generate additional drag, alot of drag.  whats the point of fancy 2k zipp wheels when you put a parachute on your back....

- putting on something extra in transition takes longer, take a 30 second transition, you probably just added extra 20 seconds adding the camelback

- its usually heavy and unless you tighten it properly it will be sliding around, i know i have put in my years in a MTB saddle

- depending on the course how much water do you really need, sprint?  small water bottle, oly big bottle or maybe 2 smaller ones

i have yet to see someone with a camelback at a sprint or oly race. 


to answer OP:  can you use one...yes....but why would you want to?  even when i did my races on a MTB i didn't use it and i had no bottle cages and had to buy one for the front of the bike.

trix - 2009-09-17 10:35 AM

- putting on something extra in transition takes longer, take a 30 second transition, you probably just added extra 20 seconds adding the camelback

Slugger - 2009-09-18 12:06 AM
Uuuuhhhhh...I had a sub-40" transition putting on lace-up mtn bike shoes and my camelbak, and it included the run in from the swim (not long, but enough). It went on while I was putting my feet in my shoes. If you are taking 20 seconds to put on a Camelbak, you need to work on transitions!

As for drag, I was riding a mtn bike. Seriously, the drag that a Camelbak added was NOTHING! Of course people with 2K Zipp wheels aren't using them, but they are much farther along in their tri careers. But for the run, people run with hydration belts all the time, what's the difference?

I used it because I was going through a period of having a mini-mental black every time I got thirsty. Instead of figuring out how to train for grabbing water and drinking it on the ride or run, I raced like I trained. Again, riding a mtn bike, no bottle cages.

Sure, once you are getting aero, no hydration pack (though I've always wondered about bottle vs pack-under-jersey for long rides, HIM or longer). But until then, I find them a great solution.

Oh, I should note, I use a specific XC running version, so it stays nice and snug.