Hotter than hot
I now have a new benchmark for hot. My first 6+6 so was keen to see how I backed up on Sunday morning. The Del Rio forecast was for temps in the 40s and thats what we got.
After the first lap I was looking for any excuse to stop in transition so when my seat slipped on the second lap that was my first of many stops. Got to the 5th lap and didn't enjoy the singletrack. I had been drinking 2 large bottles every hour and that wasn't enough as I was getting slower and felt hotter each lap. Pouring a bottle over my head each lap wasn't helping so I went for a swim in the river. Call me soft but from then on I stopped every 2 laps for a cold shower or the quicker version of tipping 10-20 bottles from the tap over my head, back, arms, legs etc. Cooling down made such a big difference. Was sitting next to the tap and knew I had to leave then to get in two more laps. Took the soft option again and drank a Gatorade instead.
Ended up 4th, two laps behind the guys that didn't stop. Started the Sunday ride feeling positive as it was cooler at 24 degrees (6am). Rode round for a while and my times were not blowing out as badly as Saturday. When the sun came out on the climb around 9am it was all the excuse I need to stop every hour. Happy to finish my 10 laps faster than the previous day.
My wife's team came first as they were the only female team of 3 in the 6+6 and my 12 year old crew chief did an excellent job on the bottles only forgetting to refill them a few times which given the temperature and the proximity of the pool and river was fantastic.
So how hot was it? I forgot my edge but the guy who told me it was 24 on Sunday morning said he saw 47 on Saturday afternoon.
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47!!
We were wondering about that this morning ... now we know what we missed...
You're a tougherer man than me!
well done Paul, I can't even Imagine riding in those conditions .
PS, good on ya for staying on the bike and out of the pub during the madness of a 47 deg day. You are much tougher (and older) than me
Awesome effort. Did you like the 6+6 format ? Was it hard to back up for 6 more in the am (not withstanding the heat) ?
Well done. I just searched and found this with a max of 47.
Holy Cr@p...! He smashed out 10 laps (84km/1769m vertical) non-stop in 5 hours in that heat!
Second place in mens masters he says... great work!
I dont suffer that badly in the heat and was fairly well prepared on the hydration side of things so I saw heaps of people doing it much tougher than I was. Its really the people that either haven't prepared or don't like the heat that did it tough.
And Jason English, well after being on the back of the lead pack of 15 or so about 1/3 of the way round the first lap he lapped me when I was on my 4th lap and then kept going.
@Brian, I got away with plain water and saltstick tablets on the Sunday so they are the best cramping prevention I have used. I think you suggested them.
@D_on, Really liked the 6+6 format. Didn't find it that tough to back up on Sunday and the early lap times were ok pace so I think it will get more popular, particularly at the more social 24hr events like Del Rio.
standing up the top of the climb spraying people with water , no just joking it was damn hot up the top even if I was in the shade , if I saw anybody struggling at that point I was pulling them up for a rest damn fools if u ask me , but you all gave it a go well done for doing more than 3 laps , that is all I would have put in ..
I did appreciate the spray, next time I will stop and chat for a while now I know its you.
I thought that you guys did a good job on the safety front with a variety of people constantly checking the climb. I only saw one person who stopped on the climb and needed help to get back to Del Rio. By the time I went past there were 5 people helping him and it was just a matter of waiting for the transport.
Very friendly overall and anyone who stopped, particularly got asked by all the other riders if they were ok.
btw I agree it was tough standing up there all day. Standing around can often feel worse than actually doing something.
the resort a guy I seen at a lot of races was cramping up asked him if he was ok ,he said it was his last lap as it was just after 12.00 the close off time & he was white as a ghost & shaking he wanted too keep going so I gave him some of my special blend drink & jellybeans & he took off as he was determined too finish his last lap .
Yep, that's what we found at Duck Holes Sunday morning. As soon as you stopped moving, it was like standing in a sauna and the perspiration just poured off you. And that was only 33C, not 47.
Hope you had some shade, Smiley.
had my piping hot surf hat on big brim on it & white too or was b4 the weekend
I didn't realise you were doing the Solo Paul, that was tough. The heat was challenging enough for us but at least in a team format you can jump in the river after each lap for respite. Doing 20 laps in those conditions is bloody impressive (actually who am I kidding, I couldn't do 20 laps solo in any conditions).
Hope you're bouncing back OK and will most likely see you at CCOMTB Rd2