Tour Test Ride: Outlook

The forecast for Sunday is favorable. It looks to be a sunny day, with a high around 90 degrees F. Very low rain chance.

Naturally, on a warm Spring day in North Georgia, pop-up T-showers are always a possibility. I’d recommend packing a rain jacket. (That should be part of your kit anyway.) I’d also strongly recommend applying sunscreen liberally before the ride, and planning to re-apply as the day goes on.

It will be warm, so do bring at least two, if not three water bottles. Plan to pay close attention to hydration. Drink regularly.

While on the topic of warm weather, here’s a very good tip. One item in your travelling kit should be a bandana. These things are incredibly useful. They make a good emergency first aid dressing. They can be used as a washcloth in a pinch. Your bandana can help you stay cool too. Dribble some water on your bandana and then tie it loosely around your neck. As you ride the water evaporates and cools you nicely.

One water bottle should be used for dowsing. If you are getting hot, the equivalent of a half mouthful of water, squirted through the front vents of your helmet will work wonders. If you do this every ten minutes or so, you will stay refreshed, and your “dowsing bottle” will last you for about 20 miles.

Sunglasses are worth their slight weight. Shielding your eyes on a bright sunny day reduces fatigue.

Pre-hydrate. You should need to visit the restroom just before you ride. After that, it will become increasingly more difficult to stay up with your hydration needs. So don’t start out dry.

Fuel well. Have a good breakfast, and a good strong snack before you ride. You’ll need the fuel. A quick snack at the 15 mile stop will help you, and we’ll make a longer stop at the 40 mile point. Plan to eat more then. That will get you home.

I’ll be sending out an email later today, with a copy of the cue sheet for this ride. If you are not on my list, and you want this copy, please email me at The.Road.Dragon@gmail.com and I’ll send you a copy. I will also have a few copies available at the start of the ride.

One last note: I’ve had several questions along the lines of, “I don’t plan to do the tour. Can I come along on the ‘Test Ride’?” I’d say the answer is a definite yes. Just remember this. Those of us who are practicing and training for Cheaha will be riding heavy bikes. We won’t be setting a blistering pace, and we won’t be looking for folks to “push” the pace up faster than we need to go. If you’re good with a relaxed pace ride, and want to be good company, come on along.

I’m looking forward to this ride. It’s another big step toward an exciting adventure. Can’t wait for the start. I hope to see a lot of you out there.