For all of us crazy enough to be riding in this heat (and that is most of us), here are is what's happening on Saturday. 

Starting point: Wheelies parking lot

Start time: 8:00am

Destination: Johnson's Farms

Route miles: 

26 miles (C):

35 miles (C+, B, B+)

42 miles (A)

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Hot Weather Riding Tips

The single most important step you can take to prepare yourself for hot weather riding is hydration. Here is an excerpt from Cycling Weekly:

Start Your Ride by Pre-Hydrating - Don't drown yourself...Drink a large glass of water before you leave the house. 

On the ride:

One of the biggest obstacles with cycling in hot weather is maintaining adequate hydration. You will sweat more as your body naturally tries to cool itself down, but that sweat will evaporate quickly, meaning that it is hard for you to gauge exactly how much fluid you are losing.

Drink often when riding, and make sure that you have plenty of drink with you or know of places on your route where you can obtain more drinks – as if a mid-ride stop needed an excuse.

Using drinks with electrolytes can be a good idea to replace those lost by sweating, which can cause cramping. Packing ice cubes into your bottle before you leave will help keep your drink cool, at least for the first half an hour.

The harder you work the more you will sweat, so if it’s really hot and you’re starting to feel it, romping through your drinks, knock off your pace or shorten your ride. And don’t forget in among all the drinking to pay attention that you are eating enough on your ride, too.

And when you get home…

Pay particular attention to fluid intake when you get home, but also don’t forget to eat as you would normally after a ride. Making a recovery drink before your ride and putting it in the fridge ready for your return will provide you with a refreshing, fuss-free cold drink. A cold bath or shower will help you cool off and wash off the accumulated grime. You may also feel you deserve an ice cream or two…

* Members have access to ride routes. 

**Non-member cyclists are welcome, but are required to download, sign, and bring a ride waiver to each ride. Waivers can be found as a drop down under the "About" section on the web site.