This afternoon as I prepared for my regular Sunday walk my wife made fun of me. Mostly because of how long it was taking to prepare. I'd purchased a new hydration system yesterday. So her ribbing wasn't the good natured sort. It was more the you-spent-money-on-what? tone of pleasantness. And, let's face it, I deserve most of what I get.

But it's not like I woke up yesterday and just decided to get a new hydration system. I've been thinking about it for a while. Mostly when I get done with a long walk and drag myself up the back steps, a powerful dryness in my throat. On the mountain I've found myself spending many thoughts about water. And I've missed my old canteen. You know the type, at least if you are over 40. It was army issue. I probably paid a couple of dollars for it back in the 1970s. It was steel with a olive drab cover. Water tasted pretty good pouring from that cold steel liner. Back in the day, prior to giardia, it was great to fill up at a stream crossing and then have cold refreshment high up on the mountain ridge. Those days are gone.

Another reason for needing hydration is my renewed interest in my road bike. It's an old Trek 1400. An aluminum frame given to me over a decade ago. I put a shimano 105 groupo on it all those years ago. It still functions well and I'm planning on putting on some miles and shedding some pounds this summer.

Yesterday morning, as part of my ride, I stopped by the local bike shop. Standing at the hydration rack, drooling, a salesman approached. I asked about the different systems. It seems that there are two schools of thought. Carry a hydration bladder, either alone or with some extra storage. I liked the extra storage idea. Not much of a place to put a wallet in those fancy biking togs. Carrying a cell phone on my hip doesn't seem right. So I got the pack style.

I also bought the Camelbak. That's the gold standard in hydration systems. So it costs a bit more. Not 50%, but a little more. I think it's worth it.

With a powerbar in my pocket (my wife gave it to me in a gesture of kindness as I walked out the door) and 100 ounces of pure water on my back, I set out on my Sunday walk. The pack seemed heavy. Those first few steps made me wonder if I'd made a mistake.

I reached my usual path, 700 vertical feet above my house, with relative ease. Each time I felt a little bit of thirst I'd take a little pull on my hydration system. I felt good and moved up the mountain. It was a cool day and I enjoyed the combination of chilly air and sunshine. By the time I reached 1800 vertical feet I had ran dry. My hydration bladder was completely empty. I was surprised at how much water I'd consumed. I decided to turn back. I'd been gone long enough.

By the time I walked up those back steps my hike had lasted nearly three hours. Typically, I'd sit at the kitchen table and down at least one liter of Perrier and several glasses of Farmington's finest tap water. Not today. I found no such need. I can't say the same for the dogs, however. They went right to the water bowl and drained it. I smiled as I watched them. And I wondered. Do they make doggie hydrations systems? And what would my wife think about that?........
11:11:42 AM    comment []