Dealing with the heat

[Catrin]

I headed out for my usual 2 hours, and did rode very close to 20 miles in a local park. I was unsure how I would deal with the heat so didn't want to be more than a few miles from my car at any given time.

I headed out with a bottle of Cytomax (went on the bike), a bottle of ice water (stayed in my car) and my 50 oz Camelbak. At least I thought it was full...but it was mysteriously dry after the first 5 miles and I KNOW I didn't drink THAT much in the first loop! Thankfully there is a water fountain with a regular spigot so I refilled it.

I made a point at stopping at the end of each loop - depending on which way I go a loop is 5 or 6 miles - and drank both from the Cytomax bottle and plenty of water. As it was right under 90 degrees when I started, I also took a bite from my Cliff bar at each little stop - no more than two bites. Halfway through I had a Hammer Huckleberry Gel.

So I drank close to 75 ounces of water in 2 hours - but never had to "go" until I got home (and not much then). It also didn't seem that hot to me after the first hour - so am unsure what was up with that though of course the sun is lower in the evening. It was 88 degrees when I started with 70% humidity level, 85 degrees when I stopped.

When I stopped and got off the bike I felt very strange, almost shaky - though I had felt fine on the bike. So I drank more of the Cytomax and tried to finish it off - but I've a problem with flavored drinks when I am that thirsty - finished off more water instead. Had the last bite of my Cliff bar and came home to hit the shower. I am now drinking a Smithwicks, one of my favorite ales. I earned it Chocolate milk actually sounds better, but I don't have any. So ale it is!

Does it sound like I drank/ate enough for a two hour ride in those temps/humidity?