Summer time is perfect for cycling because there is obviously no snow and the temperatures are warmer. And in addition the days are much longer. Early morning and late evening rides become a staple. Not only are they easier to fit into busy schedules, but they also allow you to beat the heat.
But what happens when you're forced to ride in the middle of the day, when the sun is high in the sky and the wind that hits your face is as hot as the breath leaving your mouth? That's where your choice of water bottle becomes a bigger decision.
Go ahead and put as much ice as you want into your regular water bottle. Within the first 15 miles that ice will be melted and by mile 20 your drink will be as warm as though there was never any ice to begin with. You are pretty much left with two choices, to either learn to love warm water and energy fluids or to get a Camelbak Podium Ice.
I'll be honest, I was a bit skeptical of the Podium Ice when I first tried it. I thought there was no way it would work, and the idea seemed gimmicky, like something you'd find at a big box store. Boy was I wrong. Add a couple of ice cubes to your beverage of choice and prepare to be amazed. Although it depends on just how hot it is outside, I've had cold water from the beginning to end of 60 mile rides. All of this cooling refreshment is thanks to the Podium Ice's lightweight, high-tech Zeroloft™ insulation. Camelbak claims this insulation keeps water cool 4 times longer than a standard bike bottle. And it weighs in at only 130 grams.
The Podium Ice holds 21 oz of fluid so you sacrifice very little volume while keeping your beverages chilled. It uses Camelbak's Jet Valve™ which is a self sealing valve that practically eliminates spilling. Or lock it all the way down with the positive lockout for leakproof transportation. Use it in the winter time with warm beverages and you'll see it works just as well as it does in the summer time with cold beverages. It's BPA free and hasTruTaste™ polypropylene with HyrdroGuard™ so you'll taste your beverage and not your bottle.
Suggested retail on the bottle is only $20.00 so for only a couple bucks more than a standard bottle you can get the bottle that will make you throw out all your other old bottles. And lets be honest, it probably wouldn't hurt if you recycled some of those old smelly bottles anyway.