| Hydration packs are small rucksacks that contain a | | | | Reducing Fungal Growth |
| plastic bladder with a tube and are filled up with fluids | | | | Once the hydration pack has been used for a while, |
| usually water. They are ideal for when you are | | | | body fluids such as saliva and stagnate water can |
| mountain biking because you can keep hydrated | | | | encourage bacteria and fungal growth. This can occur |
| easily without having to carry a drink bottle around. | | | | inside the bladder but is more common on the mouth |
| New Plastic Taste | | | | piece and tube. |
| The problem with the plastic bladder and tube is that | | | | The best way to prevent the growth is by washing |
| initially when you purchase a hydration pack it | | | | out the bladder, tube and mouth piece after each |
| contains some manufacturing residue on the inside of | | | | use and drying thoroughly. Other ways is to only use |
| the bladder and tubing. It isn't harmful in the small | | | | bottled water and stay away from filling up with |
| quantities present, but the plastic taste make you | | | | sugary drinks, such as hydration drinks or energy |
| think twice before re hydrating during a ride. | | | | drinks. Another tip is to store your hydration pack |
| An easy way to reduce the taste is by using warm | | | | inside your freezer at home, the temperature |
| soapy water and a small amount of dish washing | | | | prevents bacterial growth but the only down side is |
| liquid. Once you have run the water through and | | | | when you go for a ride you might have to let your |
| washed off any soapy residues dry the bladder out | | | | hydration pack thaw out before you can put it on. |
| with a paper towel. | | | | |