99 degrees today, and a heat index of 107. Insane to be outside, let alone cycling. My day began on the bike at 6:15 a.m. Stepping out of the hotel was like stepping into a plastic bag. The humidity was twisted! Right then, I knew we were in for it. I called it a day at the 60 mile mark. My friends I was riding with, were experiencing what I guess is heat exhaustion...one of them felt dizzy and shaky, and me, well I began laughing at nothing, and basically felt out of my head, singing crazy songs,. All signs we need to stop. The state of Iowa is all farmlands, steep rolling hills and there is zero shade on the roads. I've never seen so many corn fields in my life, and the smell of cow manure, in the heat is nauseating. I am not liking riding out here at all...I know it is because of the heat. The whole time we were riding, there was not one person outside...the towns were empty. Everyone was inside. At the sag stops, I would douse my head with water, pour it all over me, but I only felt cool for a minute. Out of the 23 riders, 7 made the entire distance. Others hung it up at the 25 mile mark, 75 mile mark, 80 mile mark. All wiped by the heat. We are all incredibly strong riders but this heat nailed us down today. I know I made the right decision to call it quits today. Tomorrow is an off day We get 1 day off every 5 consecutive days of riding. On Tuesday, we ride 78 miles into Kewanee, IL. The temps are suppose to be better. I long for the days of 80 degree weather.
Love,
Kit
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