re: water backpacks

[Teresa Van Hove <vanhove@ucar.edu>]

Some of the water packs have waist straps.  I've found the waist strap
essential if I don't want a sore back a couple hours into the ride.
I've used anything handy-including vetwrap to make up a tie at the
waist on packs that didn't come with a waist strap.  My problem
with these packs is they seem to develope leaks in a couple of 
years.  I'm still using 'em cuz I never drank enough with just
water bottles but I've tried various brands of the water packs
and none has held up for me long term.

Cheers,
Teresa