Freezing water in the bottles before a long ride .

[Cuchilo]

First thoughts are it will keep the water colder for longer but thought I best ask the forum first incase my water bottles explode or something .

 

[cyberknight]

You can get bottles that are insulated to keep them cool

 

[172traindriver]

Probably pay you to not fill them to the top as water expands don't forget. Also it might be an idea to leave the top top in case it expands more than you think.

 

[Saluki]

I freeze a third of a bottle of lemon squash and then top up the rest with more lemon squash just before my ride. I freeze the bottle on the huh so the icy lemon squash is at the side of the bottle not just at the bottom. Then I have lovely cold squash for ages.
Never had one split or anything horrid.

 

[slowmotion]

My guess is that plastic bottles have enough flexibilty to allow the water/ice to expand wthout cracking. Give it a whirl.

 

[inkd]

You can get ice cube trays in IKEA that makes long ice rods for drink bottles.

 

[Cuchilo]

My guess is that plastic bottles have enough flexibilty to allow the water/ice to expand wthout cracking. Give it a whirl.

I just have . I figured by the time I have finished two bottles the bike shops will be open tomorrow if it goes wrong . I can buy two new bottles and ask them to fill them with cold water for me

 

[400bhp]

I did it earlier this week. Absolutely fine.

 

[User10119]

I used to do this (with disposable bottles that I reused) to take to the gym. Half-filling before freezing and then topping up worked well for me - drinkable iced water from that start and still icy after a couple of hours.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I did it a fair bit last summer without any problems.

 

[MontyVeda]

often do it myself.. but have cracked the wrong type of plastic bottle in the process before. I tend to take one bottle of cold on the frame plus two frozen in the pannier, which will hopefully be half defrosted by the time i need them... hopefully.

 

[jarlrmai]

Come on, lukewarm plasticy tasting water is all part of the fun.

 

[slowmotion]

When I used to do mountain walks, I met an elderly American who swore that freezing beer cans at the start of the day was the answer to mid-day and afternoon refreshment. I never tried it. The risk of a backpack filled with warm lager seemed like a step too far, no matter how great the thirst.

 

[subaqua]

beer cans and wine bottle will crack in the freezer. some plastics will crack if filled full. fill 3/4 full to allow for expansion . what i do for going in to work and then refill and freeze in the freezer in the canteen.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

First thoughts are it will keep the water colder for longer but thought I best ask the forum first incase my water bottles explode or something .

There was a similar question about this last year. Here's what I replied:

When I'm going for a full day's off-road riding I'll fill my camelback the night before and freeze it. Same with a water bottle, into which I slip a mars bar, then pop in the freezer. Always leave a little room for expansion with the bottle, it's not so crucial with the bladder as it is fairly stretchy.

I find that the camelback acts as a heat-sink for my back and melts at a rate that matches my need for hydration. I keep the mars bar as a prize for reaching the top of the biggest climb, when it's still lovely and cool and not melted in the summer heat.

That's my top tip for today.

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