Inpd

I would do this loop.

Red rock canyon loop is a nice 13 mile loop but it most certainly is not closed to traffic. Infact doing it was some of the scariest riding I've done. Lots of curvy descents and I could hear cars slam in their brakes when they rounded a corner and saw me.

Beautiful ride of course.

CliffordK

Learn about heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Have a cooling plan. If you can't progress, STOP. Sit down, and rest and cool down.

If you stop sweating, it is BAD.

MikeyBoyAz

Agreed. Saturday's ride started at 8:30am and I felt like I was riding on a pancake skillet the whole time :|

Bluechip

I've got a bike rental lined up for Red Rock already. I've done it several times and cars have never been an issue. I'll probably do 3 laps before it starts getting too hot.
If I can find a decent rental for my wife (she's only 5') we will give the River Mountain Loop a try.

fietsbob

I was a Climate Refugee in an AC Bar with cold beers Myself.

Corbin

Well I live to ride another day (I hope).

That was rough. Too much, too hot.
First 50 I did with my brother second solo. I was looking behind me around the 75 miles mark waiting for a cyclist I could wheel suck. Looks like they all decided it was too hot as I didn't see a bike from about 10 on.

I saw a dude with white arm and leg warmers on... I guess for sun protection.

I had to make multiple "rest" stops on the second 50. I was suppose to pace myself @ zone 2 but through that right out the window.

I noticed around mile 85-90 I stopped sweating. @ 92 I pulled off debating the dreaded phone call.
A federal park (or was it land) police pulled over and asked if I was alright. He said he's seen cyclist passed out before and offered me a ride to the other side of the highway where town was. I figured with him stopping any pride was gone (I guess not enough to take the ride though) so I asked for anything sugar to which he gave me a Gatorade. I hope he knows how much that helped.
I thought I was bonking at that point and maybe was but now that I'm home and showered. I have not ate nor am I hungry. So was it just the heat getting to me or partial bonk?


At 95 miles in I got goose bumps? What? Surely a death omen right?
My heart rate was elevated higher than normal but didn't get out of hand.

So long story short. If you have the money move to Denver between May and June and come back to the valley around October to November.

I don't think I'll be going riding too much above 100°. Thankfully my schedule is flexible so I can night ride or early mornings.
I also don't seem to like going past 50 miles. Perhaps once my physical fitness improves.

To all those that gave advice, thank you. I'm still learning and sometimes the hard way.

https://www.strava.com/activities/599805086/overview

f4rrest

What? No KOMs?

Glad you made it.

Can see the cardiac drift in the last 8 miles in your ride. I've had goose bumps like that in the heat before too.

Corbin

I'm not sure what I was thinking PRing. That was about 70 miles in, must have been a nice breeze. Had I stuck to zone 2 I imagine this ride would have been 80% better.

Yeah. I wish I could analyze my cadence more. I think I spent more time coating than going. 1,2,3 crank, coast.

At the end of the day I accomplished what I set out for, but I am by no means satisfied. I'll be sticking to 50's until I feel brave again.

woodcraft

Congratulations for surviving a tough ride.

Nice early start.