Take more water than you think you'll need, especially if you're in a place where the towns and settlements are far apart and the roads are quiet. This becomes even more important if your terrain is hilly or difficult or if you have to contend with strong, steady headwinds, which can also sap your strength. If you're doing this tour in or around Texas in August, you're going to be facing some serious heat. Stay hydrated.

Along with that, if you've got a good hill or mountain to climb, try to time it so you're doing that as early in the day as possible. It might even mean getting on the road at 5 or 6 a.m. so you'll be up the hill before it gets too hot. If you're going to face a headwind, again, start riding as early as possible. In windy places where I've lived, the wind tends to pick up in the mid to late morning and in the afternoon, it's gusting. Morning is a little less breezy.