Not sure there was any way to beat the heat. I left at 5 and didn't have any heat to speak of until after the lunch stop. Then it was HOT.

Definitely the most beautiful of all the doubles I've done so far. And by far the hardest. The last 60 miles were easy, but the first 140 were the toughest 140 miles I've ridden.

Absolutely non-stop climbing, lots of headwinds, and late in the ride on the last 15 mile climb (yes, the last 15 mile climb, because there were several) from mile 125 to 140, the temps climbed over 90 degrees and there was a strong cross wind. I actually saw people walking up the hill. They had just given up on riding. It was too hot and too steep. I also saw several people off their bikes, just lying on the side of the road.

I felt good for most of the day, but dehydration got me in the last hour. I was feeling sick to my stomach and stopped drinking. Big mistake. I suffered like a dog the last 15 miles.

But it's done...That's #4 for the year...So far.