We despise water weight, don\’t we? Especially when we\’re watching our weight.

But in this case, I don\’t mean unwanted water poundage on one\’s frame. I mean the weight of a full Camel-Bak reservoir on my, well, back.

The one I have can hold 100 ounces, or a little over three quarts (liters). That right there is about six pounds. Add a cable lock; tube of Chamois Butt\’r; snacks; cell phone; and roll of bathroom tissue (in case the place I stop doesn\’t have any), and that\’s likely eight or nine pounds to piggyback.

It feels like quite a load; but on long rides, it\’s a necessity. I\’ll take that weight on my back over collapsing from dehydration any day. Besides, as a long ride progresses and I drink the water, the weight decreases.

I was thinking that I\’m lucky I\’m not packing along heavy water. I had the idea that it would weigh a lot  more than regular water. Apparently it does weigh 10% more. That\’s less than I expected. All the same, I\’m not  going to try using it, even supposing I could get it! Ordinary water weight is quite enough.