|
Bikin' Shorts - The Rides of July
|
The heat is cranking up along with a stranger in our area - humidity. While all the rains have greened things up nicely, making our rides more scenic, the humidity makes staying hydrated even more challenging. Look for our Hydration Tips below.
This weekend is wide open for riding with your friends and family on your own. Avoid the long, fast ride idea and go for something casual with your spouse and/or kids or friends. Go check out some of the area trails, whether they are in your neighborhood or even if you have to drive to a trail.
While White Rock Lake, White Rock Creek and Katy Trail are very popular and crowded, check out the neighborhood trails in Carrollton, Plano, down at the Trinity River in both Dallas and Fort Worth (there are lots of trails in our area that I am not listing). Keep it playful, slow and easy. Go get a meal or some ice cream after the ride. You'll have plenty of chances to get that long, fast ride later.
July is just FULL of great rides. I've listed my just a few, so if you are looking for more ideas, click the link below. |
|
Weatherford - July 8
The United Way of Parker County does a great job with this ride, providing routes of 8, 28, 39 and 61 miles. Their staggered start begins with the 61 mile riders at 730am, the the other distances following at 745am and 800am. Register before July 1 for just $25, $30 from July 1 through 7 and $35 on ride day.
Peach Pedal Website
|
|
Paris - July 15
This small town ride provides BIG support from friendly volunteers and an experience filled with fun, food (home baked cookies) and choices.
As you get ready to ride, hot air balloons will be launching overhead. Then you have to decide which route to ride. The TdP offers 14 or 21 mile rides on the North East Texas Trail, as well as open road routes of 20, 35, 57, 66 and 80 miles.
Register now for just $35 (kids under 12 are 1/2 price). All riders get a post ride hamburger and other goodies in the air conditioned Civic Center. See you there!
|
|
Plano - July 22
Yes, the NEW organizers of the Collin Classic, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County, moved the date so that they could get the Lake Lavon Dam for the best route options. They will offer 17, 30, 38, 47 and 64 mile routes, starting at 7am. Avoid the Saturday morning crowds by visiting a registration /packet pick up location the week leading up to the ride. Visit their website to get all the information.
Get all the information HERE
|
|
Cleburne - July 29
Come celebrate the 30th Edition of The Goatneck. This challenging ride has been bringing back riders for the challenging courses and great support. Routes of 70, 41, 27 and 10 miles begin their staggered start at 730am. You can register now through July 15th for just $25, or $30 after July 15th. Don't spend all your energy early, as they have some big hills on the way to the finish.
|
|
|
|
Finishing the HHH
When it comes to that ride in Wichita Falls - it's how you finish that matters. We've been helping riders avoid the medical tents for years by teaching them how to stay hydrated and fueled while managing their energy resources. Whether you want to prepare on your own OR train with us, we can help. Don't end your HHH experience in a medical tent. Let us help you cross the finish line feeling like you have energy to spare.
Get ALL the information HERE
|
|
Staying Hydrated in Humidity
Hydration in high heat and humidity means drink more water. Your body will sweat more as it tries to cool down. Sweat will stay on the skin longer before evaporating. Jerseys and shorts will absorb more sweat and that sweat will also take longer to evaporate. I love the Camelbak Hydration Systems, which were invented at the Hotter 'N Hell Hundred. I fill mine up with ice cubes first, then top it off with cool water. That 70 ounces of water stays cold until it is gone. The "straw" over my shoulder helps me remember to drink a little bit at a time frequently during my rides. I don't want to drink so much that I feel the water "sloshing" around in my stomach, so steady intake is better than a lot of water at one time. Just remember that with all that sweat, you are also losing salts. Get those back into your system with snacks or electrolyte pills or solutions.
Warning signals do alert you that trouble is on the way. These signals may come alone or in groups. Signs that you might not be fully hydrated? Unusual heart rate patterns. Not urinating or very dark colored urine. Headache. Nausea. Chills. Not sweating. Waking up in the medical tent.
|
|
|
|
Wichita Falls - August 26
This is THE ride of passage for all Texas cyclists. 13,000 cyclists gather for this ride every year for a good reason. Nobody does it better than Wichita Falls. Endurance Ride distances of 10, 25, 50, 62, 75 and 100 miles offered. They've got races and criteriums for licensed racers, as well as an off-road trail ride, an off-road trail run and the Triple Threat. Check out the info and join us for some wheel fun!
Hotter 'N Hell Information Here
|
|
Stay Fueled
Heat makes your body work harder to cool down, so in the big heat and humidity conditions, make sure your are eating enough. Depending upon your size, you'll need to ingest 125 to 200 calories per hour on longer riders. If you are really feeling fatigued or feeling the heat, you might be running out of gas. Eat something good and drink a little water to chase it down. Stay safe and live to ride another day.
Ride on!
|
|
