Dudes, it is a hot own out there today. Really can’t believe how hot it is for May. I thought yesterday was warm but today is a bit ridiculous. Never before in a three hour ride have I drank six bottles! Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers…

About two hours into my ride I stopped at a soon-to-be-opened butcher/bakery on Dwyer Hill road where the friendly guy directed me to a hose in his laneway. Sweet. Well, he forgot to tell me about the four big dogs. In the end, a lady popped out of the house and let me traipse through her kitchen and fill my bottles. I must have looked quite the sight!

I do have to say my intervals weren’t the best today. I really suffered in the heat. I got through them but they weren’t as high on the power scale as I would have liked. Best thing was the last interval ended right by the McEwan’s in Richmond. Perfect. One Coke and cherry slush later and I was on my way. That last bit of the ride home was not fun.

I was in full-on goosebumps mode… Yep, a bit of heat stroke. My jersey was fully unzipped and I was no longer sweating and I felt a bit cold. Luckily I knew the signs. Time to put back the sugar and liquid. Finally after about 30 minutes of very slow riding I started to feel the effects of the liquid sugar.

I had planned to take my new commuter bike out this afternoon and roll over to the coffee shop for some computer action. But I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to go out in that heat for a little bit. Even as I sit here, now 90 minutes since getting home and I still have the chills.

The human body really is quite fascinating. Number one lesson learned today – don’t ride at the hottest part of the day when the city announces heat advisory messages… I think tomorrow’s recovery day calls for a ride in the shade…

If you’re going out for a ride today, be sure to bring your bottles and some money to fill up during the ride. Trust me, it is hot out there.

(I’m raising money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada and will be participating in the Heel ‘N’ Wheel-A-Thon on June 13. You can donate to the cause here.)