Keeping water cool.

[Andrew G]

Silly question: I use transparent bottles as I prefer them for seeing how much water I have left, but in this hot weather the water gets warm very quickly. Other than the usual sticking ice cubes in, I wondered if anyone knew if coloured bottles helped deflect the heat and keep water cooler for longer? If so which colour works best?

[Dr Frigo]

I used to have one of those Zefal in France (never had the need for it here ), it was good for about an hour. And the contenance was fairly small, less than 500ml.

White bottles would work best, but not sure if it would be any better than transparent.

I once put a water bottle in the freezer before a race on a hot day at Eastway, got it out well over an hour before the start and rode there, but it was still mostly frozen still at start time - I was frantically trying to warm it up under the hot water tap in the toilets! But if you time it right say for your second bottle you could have cool water after an hour's time.

If you have a Camelback and fill it with water from the fridge and ice cubes, it will stay fresh for longer. Will also keep your back cool, but makes it sweat more too.

[Andrew G]

I'm not sure about the thermos bottles as they look a bit large and I wasn't sure how much you'd get in them, thanks for the confirmation that it's not that much. I might try the freezer trick but take it out before it freezes, just bring the temp down. Should've thought of that really, been doing it with beer for long enough .

[Dr Frigo]

Have you tried partially frozen beer? Once again, an accident - but well tasty.

[Andrew G]

Not partially frozen, but left some in 'til fully frozen once by mistake. Lager lolly's are okay if a it unusual but don't defrost, the can goes very soft and collapses and the beer goes flat. A tragic waste.

[John Cochrane]

Never tried it, but would wrapping tin foil/cooking foil round the bottle help. Might help to insulate the bottle and keep cold in and heat out.

[Grahame]

I fill the botle 2/3 full, then freeze it the night before a ride (must remember to do that tonight), then top it up with water just before setting off. This seems to give a supply of cold water for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending on the suize of the bottle.

[Andrew G]

Do you put the lid on before freezing as I couldn't stand it upright in my freezer? Does the freezing distort the bottle at all?

Thanks.