I'm starting to get nervous...

[li10up]

I am getting a bit anxious about doing the Hotter N Hell Hundred this weekend. This ride is notorious for being very difficult. During the past week I've been struggling doing 30 miles in the heat. I'm just not sure I'm up to this. Originally I was just going to do the ride with one friend of mine and we are very similar in speed and endurance. Now there are going to be 4 of us trying to stay together. I'm afraid I'll try to ride above what I'm comfortable with. The forecast calls for a high of 94 and about a 30% chance of thunderstorms. Hopefully this means that it will be cloudy so we'll get a bit of a respite from the sun. The plan is for us to make it to Hell's Gate by the cutoff time (just to see if we can do it) and then take the shortcut back to the finish for an 80 mile ride. My longest to date is 71. I guess I just need to stay hydrated and fueled and leave the rest up to fate.

[mimitabby]

hey, lighten up!



really, good luck. if you're like me your nerves will be your biggest problem.

[Veronica]

Ride your own ride. I find if I'm pushing to stay with a group I don't eat and drink properly and can end up paying for it later.

V.

[KSH]

Heidi and I did it last year and we did the 75 mile route. We didn't make it to Hell's Gate in time (they shut it down 1 hour early!), so they routed us to the 75 mile route.

Just pace yourself and go your speed. Drink and eat and rest as needed. Don't let the group pick your ride for you. Be OK with not staying with them.

I have to say, overall the ride is not difficult. There are little to no hills... the only hard part is the heat, the chip seal, and the headwind on the way back into town. OH, and the scenery... it's dull as can be out there.

Well, good luck! Trust me, you can do it. Don't let it get into your head. It is a hard ride for people who aren't use to heat... but if you live in/around Texas, you will be fine.

[meridian]

I got a little nervous today too!

Yesterday I went out while it was 95 for a 35 mile ride, went too hard on a crappy food day, and got sick to my stomach later that evening because I made so many wrong choices earlier in the day. That evening had me second guessing things!

But I'm still in for the entire 100 miles, solo. I will force a reasonable pace, definitely rest more than I have been during my training runs, and I won't let the pacelines and groups pressure me into taking it harder than I can sustain.

Since I'm notorious for pushing too hard and being lax on my bike nutrition at times, I’m going to put that nervous energy into preparing well this week, lay out a general speed/rest stop plan, do light rides every day in the early evening heat, fuel up wisely, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate (no excess caffeine or sugar).

No worries, we'll all survive! Best of luck!

[sundial]

I'm keeping you guys in my thoughts as the weekend approaches. If you can just keep in mind that you are there for the experience and for the fun, maybe it will take the pressure off you to perform at X level. I've been cycling in this heat wave and honestly, I feel acclimated now to ride the thing. If I were to do the HNH, I would make sure I'm hydrated and have plenty of fluids on hand, fuel every 30-40 minutes, and take small breaks to stretch.

I talked to a fellow cyclist last week who rode last years HNH and he said it was fun and really cool to ride with 11,000 other cyclists.