Not Just Water, Cold Water
I've just reached the top of Suicidal Tendencies. The Garmin shows the temperature is 95 degrees and I've been riding for 2.5 hours, give or take a few minutes. The occasional breeze and the thought of cold water is just about the only thing that has kept me moving forward. When the slight wind shuts off, my brain feels like it's boiling. I deeply regret wearing a jersey with sleeves.
As soon as my foot hits the ground, I reach for the bottle in my cage. I remove the cap and take a couple of long swigs. The water feels like it has been sitting in 90 degree temps for a couple of hours because it has. I suck it down anyway knowing that I need the liquid and that I've got a little secret weapon in my lumbar pack.
I let the warm water settle while I catch my breath. The air is still and I'm really glad that I am mostly done climbing. The climb back up to Sidewinder has me a bit worried, but I figure it can't be that bad. Once my heart rate and breathing slow down, I pull my other bottle. It's been in my pack just as long as the first one has been on my bike. I twist open the valve and take a small sip. The Skratch is cold as it hits my throat and immediately my head feels like it has left the oven. I savor the relief and muster all the discipline I have to not suck down the whole bottle.
Feeling much better, I tuck the bottle back into its spot and head back down the trail.
Shirley approved
Our latest Red Rock bottles come to you via Camelbak. These are stainless steel and vacuum sealed. Super durable and will keep your drink cold for hours. They have those Red Rock designs you know and love.
Plus, they are Shirley Approved! As she puts it, they're the only way to still have cold water at the end of your ride.
RRBC Vacuum Sealed Bottles
As I predicted, the downhill is pleasant, but as soon as my speed slows on the climb the heat hits again. The air is still in the saddle eliminating any relief I was getting. I know once at the top, it's a quick coast back to the truck. I push on promising myself some more cold water at the top.
About halfway up, I stop and finish off the warm water choking it down. It feels like it's even hotter than before. I guess that would make sense. I drag my sorry carcass back to the top, happy to finally be done climbing. I pull out my bottle. The water is still cold and I finish about half of it, leaving the rest for just in case.
The downhill is uneventful other than a group that was past their dogs' comfort level trying to let them rest as the dogs panted heavily. I make it back to the truck hot, sweaty and a little tired. The whole time looking forward to that cool relief in my pack.
I put the bike on the rack and chug my reserves happy to be done riding now that the temperatures are nearing 100 and that I'm out of water.
Zen tested
Everyone knows that vacuum sealed bottles keep water cooler longer, but these bottles have to hold up to the rigors of mountain biking in Southern Utah to be useful on the trail. So we tested them on Zen.
Combined with a Specialized Zee Cage, these bottles kept our hydration drink of choice nice and cold (actually still had ice left after a quick lap) and stayed right where they were supposed to. We're not saying there's no way you can get them to eject, but Zen is about as chunky as it gets.