Drove out to Richardson today for the 2nd annual Wild Ride. I choose the 64 mile route and was expecting a fast and uneventful ride. Little did I know the events the previous day would catch up with me!

I arrive in Richardson at about 6:30, registered for the ride, and then just milled about until the rally started.

The ride started promptly at 8am and for the first 20 miles I was averaging 18.2 mph. I managed to get in with a really fast group and was able to keep up for the first 15 miles or so. The route was mostly flat and the traffic control was excellent! The first rest stop I stopped at was stop #3. I loaded up on the usual items, water, bananas and oranges slices…… then headed off, hoping to finish in less than 4 hours.

Not long after that rest stop was when I noticed that heat was really starting to affect me. My pace had slowed considerably and I was beginning to fell drained. I stopped at the next rest stop, sat in the shade for a bit and again loaded up on water.

48 miles into the Wild Ride, I bonked! Could not go any farther, had absolutely no energy left! I have never felt so completely drained! I got off the bike, flattened my front tire and waited for the SAG wagon...... yes, I flattened my front tire on purpose. I did so to make sure that I did not get back on the bike and try to "tough it out". Although I wanted too, I felt that I would be in some serious trouble if I tried to make it to the next rest stop. Luckily, the SAG wagon was only ten minutes behind me, so I just sat in the shade until they arrived. The van was full of distressed riders, and we would to pass many more on our way back to the finish.

Although the heat is what finally stopped me, I still believe the day before, played the largest role in my defeat. I’ve ridden in the heat several times before and have done longer routes, on much more difficult terrain, without any issues...... Below are my observation’s on everything that factored into my defeat:

20 mile ride at 16.+ mph, 12 hours prior to ride start
+ not enough sleep the night before, 4 1/2 hours
+ record heat, 99 degree’s
+ high humidity, just shy of hell
+ too fast a pace to start, 18.2 ave. mph

= MAJOR BONK!!!

Other than that, it was a great ride. I still managed to beat my best AVE MPH for a ride over 40 miles.

Afterwards, I meet up with Lisa at the Flower Mound Music Festival.....