[jethro10]

Thanks folks,
Yeah, I was looking at 3-4.5l for the day and at least one day, I'll have to carry all of that as there wont be any shops.
so looks like I'm in the ballpark.
Jeff

[ASC1951]

jethro10 said:

Yeah, I was looking at 3-4.5l for the day and at least one day, I'll have to carry all of that as there wont be any shops.

I don't understand that - where on earth are you going?

It might seem obvious, but we can't live with without water. That means that you will find drinkable water everywhere there are people. I can't think of anywhere in Europe - and I've cycled a lot of it - where you would ever need to carry more than three or four hours water. Cycling all day with a gallon of the stuff sounds like madness.

Top tip for collecting cooking water at the end of the day - take a winebox inner. It packs to nothing, hold half a gallon and is surprisingly robust.

This post has been edited by ASC1951: 09 February 2010 - 09:56:04 -

[jethro10]

ASC1951 said:

I don't understand that - where on earth are you going?

There's lots n lots of places in central/north scotland where a days bike route wont go near any commercial/retail property.
Ok, I could knock on doors, but unless I'm desperate, it seems just a bit rude.

Jeff

[ASC1951]

jethro10 said:

There's lots n lots of places in central/north scotland where a days bike route wont go near any commercial/retail property.

Good grief, man, there is more of the stuff running off the hills there than almost anywhere on earth. I've walked all over Scotland for years, backpacking as well, and I've never needed to carry more than a few mouthfuls.

I can't think of anywhere in Scotland where you could go more than a couple of hours on a bike without passing a shop, a garage, or a reliably clean stream. Still, if pedalling a bowser does it for you....

[Davidc]

jethro10 said:

There's lots n lots of places in central/north scotland where a days bike route wont go near any commercial/retail property.
Ok, I could knock on doors, but unless I'm desperate, it seems just a bit rude.

Jeff

Why can't you knock on the door of domestic property if you need a bottle refilled?

I've done that in several countries, and the worst response I've had (only in England BTW) has been being told to pi$$ off. Normally people are more than happy to give you some water, but you do need to allow for ten minutes or so extra for a chat and a cup of tea/ coffee/ wine.

[andrew_s]

ASC1951 said:

Good grief, man, there is more of the stuff running off the hills there than almost anywhere on earth. I've walked all over Scotland for years, backpacking as well, and I've never needed to carry more than a few mouthfuls.

When you are cycling, you are most likely to be down in the bottom of the valley, and so just filling up out of the nearest stream is more likely to result in gut rot.

I had to carry water for a day and a half once (10L). There was a drought, and all of the streams were dry, and although there was water at the overnight campsite it wasn't drinkable

This post has been edited by andrew_s: 09 February 2010 - 19:46:01 -

[ASC1951]

andrew_s said:

I had to carry water for a day and a half once (10L). There was a drought, and all of the streams were dry, and although there was water at the overnight campsite it wasn't drinkable

I can't see what the relevance of Summitville Mine is to this discussion.

The OP is proposing to cycle round Scotland carrying 4L of water. How on earth can that be necessary or even sensible?

[andrew_s]

I can't say it's what I would do, but if you are a shy and retiring soul who doesn't like to go beating on the door of the nearest house saying "give me some water", your last commercial/public water source was at lunch, and you want to camp down in the bottom of a valley with cows grazing all around, how much do you need for the afternoon, your evening meal, breakfast, and the first half of the following day?

I carry a water filter if I think I'm going to get into that sort of situation, but they cost significant amounts if they are to be reliable.

[jethro10]

ASC1951 said:

I can't see what the relevance of Summitville Mine is to this discussion.

The OP is proposing to cycle round Scotland carrying 4L of water. How on earth can that be necessary or even sensible?

lol.
Yes, from B&B to B&B carrying all I need and not having to worry.
Wish I had just asked "how much water do you drink an hour" and left it at that and see if my own trials were in same ball park.

Ta
Jeff

[jethro10]

andrew_s said:

I can't say it's what I would do, but if you are a shy and retiring soul who doesn't like to go beating on the door of the nearest house saying "give me some water", your last commercial/public water source was at lunch, and you want to camp down in the bottom of a valley with cows grazing all around, how much do you need for the afternoon, your evening meal, breakfast, and the first half of the following day?

Why put so much effort into working up a scenario where i'm half dying cos i'm stupid to ask for help.
I'm not stupid and if necessary, then I certainly would.
Hey, I could easily afford to have the butler follow me round in the Bentley with £50 per pop mineral water, but that's not the point

But just cos I'd rather not, there is no need for you to persue this line of fantasy to satiate some in-built desire at demeaning other people.
ok?
Jeff

This post has been edited by jethro10: 10 February 2010 - 08:44:22 -