We’ve been out on the local trails lately, and I’m proud to report I’ve got several mountain rides to my credit now.

Hydration packs can be a real problem when you’ve had a back injury somewhere in your history, and my friend, Connie, has an old break in one of her vertebrae that can get painful on long rides or whenever she tries to put weight on her back while riding. So, she was cautiously optimistic about a waist-style pack she got from Polarpak recently. After a couple of great rides using the pack, Connie tells me:

I’m a Polarpak FlowJo convert!

The FlowJo didn’t shift around too much while we were popping over roots and rocks and the weight of the pack rested comfortably on my hips and away from my lower back. Ahh!

The 24 ounce reservoir has a pressurization system that lets you pump air into it, so you’ve got a positive flow of water/drink when you bit down on the valve, but you can use it without inflating, too. All the hose connections are quick release and stay sealed when they are disconnected — just a twist and they are off, without any leaking.

There’s a baffle system inside the reservoir that keeps the sloshing to a minimum, but it also makes it a challenge when you’re trying to dry it out with a towel.

Some antimicrobial treatments on plastic reservoirs keep flavoring your water for a long time, but I didn’t taste anything but my drink after an initial rinse of the reservoir.

My favorite feature, though, is the big pocket in the pack itself. I was able to cram in everything I needed for the ride: gels, a cell phone, ID, energy bars, and even my tools and flat kit. It’s perfect for riding or running.

There you have it. Connie is a new mountain bike rider and her only hydration so far has been from caged water bottles, which just love to pop out and roll around when the going gets really rough. The FlowJo means she stays hydrated and the rest of us can stop rolling over her water bottles on the ride!

Polarpak FlowJo pressurized waist hydration pack: msrp $39.95 www.polarpak.com

Brrr!!! It’s getting cold around here, but my schedule is just as packed as ever, so I’ve got to squeeze my outdoor endeavors in when I can. That means some chilly, early morning rides. And when I get back home, the last thing I want to do is drink a big glass of recovery drink - heck, it’s hard enough to make myself drink on the bike when it’s really cold!

The clever folks at Clif have come up with an electrolyte drink and a recovery drink that are served warm or hot. The electrolyte drink is an apple cider flavor and the recovery mix is hot chocolate. You can add water to either, but milk or soy milk are especially good in the chocolate recovery mix. Think hot chocolate with all the goodies in it you need to replenish electrolytes, carbs, and the specific vitamins and minerals you deplete when you’re working hard. Now, why didn’t I think of that?

Clif Shot Hot Drinks

Sweeter than ice cream and about as light and fluffy, the iControl IRONMAN Timex is absolutely as cool as it looks. Now you can go beyond tracking your splits or pacing your miles down the beach.

Run, hike, or bike with your iPod stowed away and your hands free while you adjust the volume and change songs using your watch. The iControl talks wirelessly to your iPod, so you’ll be prepared when you need inspiration to make it up that steep hill. And it works with just about all versions of the iPod, although for runners we recommend using it with the Shuffle or Nano to limit the bounce factor and fit into an armband. $125. www.timex.com