I rode the last 5 years and the heat last year was brutal as you said. I ride self-supported and rode 2 day to the start and both of those days were 110 heat index too. Only riding the first day this year due to the fact i am leaving for a 20 day ride down the PCH in 3 weeks. i grew up 40 miles from Council Bluffs and 25 miles from Harlan so can do a long weekend and see the family too.