Ventoux page
(Last updated: Friday - Aug 22, 2008 )
I've created this
page because my friends are always busting me for the amount of
junk I keep in my Ventoux Camelbak. They've recently started
calling it the Tardis
because I've managed to lose things in there. I use the Camelbak
as a training tool for my bike rides. I load it up with just about
everything we might need on a ride. Remember I do centuries and
there are no bike shops on these routes. I like the Camelbak
system because I don't have to reach down grab a bottle, drink and
reach down to put the bottle back. I instead grab the hose, drink
and let go the hose. Works very nicely in traffic where weaving
can get you in trouble.
So lets take a quick look at my Camelbak. As I've stated above it's the Ventoux model. I have several models dating back to the early 90's. I like the larger models as they can hold a lot of stuff that's needed on long rides, especially fluids. The Ventoux holds 100 fl. oz. (3L (3 liters)). This works well for rides through the Pine Barrens where stores tend to be about 30 miles apart. I've become of the habit of taking two gulps of fluid when I take a drink. Generally I can down most of the entire 3L in those long hot sections. I rarely suffer from dehydration. :-)
Here's a picture of my Camelbak on my
couch. Just click to view the larger image. It's loaded with the
stuff from Saturday's
ride (except for the my hoagie and the cola which I finished
after the ride). Now lets look at the contents laid out on the
same couch.
, again click to view the larger
image. Sorry I'm not that great with a camera and I have them set
to be pretty large pictures. Hopefully I'll get better with the
camera and I'll try to reduce the picture size for better
viewing. The second picture gives a nice view of what I've been
carrying. The only thing missing is the loose change. I've been of
the habit to dump all my loose change (except for pennies) into my
Camelback. At one point I had about 5 fist fulls of coins. We used
to joke and call it bail money. :-) Anyway here's the actual list
of the contents from front to back and left to right.
- 2 foldable tires
- 4 loose tubes
- 2 boxed tubes
- 1 container of powdered Gatorade
- 1 mini pump
- 1 chamois creme
- 2 rolls of toilet paper,first aid kit and other odds and ends
- 2 shop tire irons
- a few Velcro strips and 3 plastic tire irons
- 1 patch kit
- 1 bottle of sun block
- 1 3L bladder
- 1 hand cleaner and sanitizer
- 1 seat cover (hard to see), spoke wrench and misc. tools
- 1 multitool
- 1 tire boot kit
- 1 cell phone and holder (fits on the outside straps)
- 1 Tigger (mascot)
- 2 tube patch kits
- 1 pen
- 1 Camelbak Ventoux
- 1 quart Gatorade (I lost the mix in this mess :-)
- 1 wallet, ride sheets, spoke wrench and camera
As I said I just throw everything in and not worry about what's in there. On the Longest Day (and Hillier Than Thou if I do it), I'll unload much of this stuff as it will be in the SAG wagon. Amend that, I managed to leave the Gatorade powder container in there (didn't see it). So i rode the Longest Day with a bit more that I expected. Also I don't know why I have 2 rolls of toilet paper in there. That's just what was in the Camelbak when I took the picture.
Lately I've been commuting to work and this Camelbak works well for holding everthing listed above and my clothes, toiletries, towel, etc. It's a 16 - 25 mile ride, depending on which way I go. The on thing it can't carry is my work laptop. I'm testing out another pack for that (I'll review that later). This works well if I leave the laptop at work (locked in a drawer of course).