| Re: Riding Cross Country Alone
[Kumen asked about riding across the Texas panhandle and into Oklahoma
in the summer].
Sounds like a good trip. I've ridden a few thousand miles in Texas and
a couple hundred in Oklahoma, plenty of that in the summer, none in the
panhandle. I know about three families in Colorado who are from Borger
and I went to college with a couple of people from Pampa.
Regarding your specific inquiries:
1. [ride preparation]. Do you plan on doing all 150 miles in one day?
Or will you split this into two days? 150 miles in one day takes a good
deal of effort and conditioning. Even at a slow pace you can bonk if
you're not prepared. You still need to be reasonably fit to do 75
miles/day, but you don't have to be superman. Go on a reasonably long
ride (50 miles or so) a couple of weeks before your 150 mile journey.
You'll get a much better feel of what you are capable of. I've been on
rides where I'm at a relaxed 14 mph pace for 20 miles, then suddenly my
legs just turn to lead and it's a struggle to get above 10 mph. 150
miles at less than 10 mph makes for a very long riding day.
2. [food, water, clothing].
*FOOD* Gu or equivalent works well for me, with occasional stops for
something a little more substantial. Avoid burgers, chili dogs,
chicken-fried steaks, etc -- I've made that mistake and my belly made
me pay. Stopping at Braum's or DQ in all the little towns for a small
snack and air conditioning might be a good idea.
*WATER* Hydration will be critical. When riding in extreme heat, I've
gone through two large water bottles every 20 miles. I've finished
rides with my clothing white with salt.
*CLOTHING* Whatever is comfortable with you. Wicking polyester
fabrics will keep you cooler. Polyester blocks UV better than cotton.
Don't forget the sunscreen. You'll sweat it off so reapply. You'll want
gloves for a ride that long. I can't stand headbands, but many people
consider them essential. You will have streams of salty sweat dripping
and stinging your eyes. Shades are essential.
3. [mental]. A meditative state-of-mind -- almost a trance -- works
well for me on long rides or long runs. Makes the pain go away. Don't
do this in heavy traffic.
Unsolicited advice, etc:
0.1. Don't count on the phone to bail you out of anything. Too many
people in the Colorado backcountry die because they substitute the
phone for the ten essentials and good sense. If you get disoriented
from heatstroke, you won't be aware of your distress until it's too
late.
0.2. You say you're diabetic. Type 1 or 2?
0.3. If you haven't done so already, get slicks for your bike. Don't
forget spare tube, patch kit, pump, tire levers, and maybe a little
duck tape and a chain tool or multi-tool. Know how to repair/change the
tube before you go.
RFM
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