ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] camelback water pack
Re: [endurance] camelback water pack
Samm C Bartee (bartesc@mail.auburn.edu)
Tue, 16 Apr 1996 17:04:19 -0500 (CDT)
Hey! I use a camel back--70 ounce--and I have never had a problem out of
it, except for the one time the bladder ruptured--but it was two years
old at the time. So, I figure that for all of the good water that I got
out of it, the price was well worth it!
I have never had a problem with heat build up either. I put ice and
water in the bladder and put it in the cooler the night before a ride,
and the thing is nice and cold when I first put it on.
The biggest drawback to it, I think, is the little bit of water left in
the tube gets hot and icky tasting each time you go to drink. Usually,
the horse gets this over his withers.
I have no problems sucking the water from the tube, I kind of bite and
suck at the same time, and plenty of water flows. If I know that I am
nearing the end of a loop, I will let the water flow over the horse. I
have drained the thing on a 15 mile loop before, and here in the
southeast with the heat and humidity that we get, 70 oz. of water is a good
thing to have out on the trail for you and the horse.
My straps are in as good shape now as when I bought the thing. My Appy
has a very rough trot, and if a trotting horse was going to be too rough,
it would definately be Sir Revel!!
I agree with Nick whole heartedly about not using soap to clean it with. I
can't stress that enough!!
I use the sternum strap to hold it in place better, and have not had any
problems with that strap. I am a rather buxom female, and if it doesn't
bother me, it shouldn't bother anyone!!! When I first started using the
thing, I thought that it would be a large annoyance, but after a couple
of miles on the trail, I never noticed it again, unless I didn't have
it--then I really noticed.
It could be a problem for some, but the benefits far outweigh the
problems as far as I am concerned. I dehydrate easily, and often forget
to drink if I have to go to any trouble to get the water out of a pack.
With the Camel Back, I just put that little thing in my mouth and go on
down the trail.
For me, it works.
APPY TRAILS
SAMM C. BARTEE