Keeping cool for Philly scorcher torture

It’s 6:08 am right now. The room is dark and I can hear Big Maggy snoring across the room. It’s like a heavy breathing giant lives in my room at the moment. Actually I think he is doing a time trial in a dream or something.

In 15 minutes room service will be here with our pancakes and coffee. That is my favorite race food as I always seem to ride well after having them. Maggy is taking my word for it and giving it a try for the first time ever as a race meal.

Watching the news report on the weather today. Record-breaking heat wave here with today the hottest since 1939! They’re warning against strenuous physical exercise outside today due to the extreme UV index and scorching temperatures.

That’s funny because starting at 9 am is a 256 km or 156 mile bike race in and around Philly! Yep, that’s why they pay us the big bucks.

Our strategy is quite simple really because it’s a race of attrition. The secret is to maintain a cool core temp and remain hydrated. Jason, Blake, and Mustache Mania (Cozza) are on early-move and bottle duty for myself, Maggy, Will, Martijn, and Tyler. The five of us will be working together to position one another for the Wall and to provide support later in the race.

I expect less than half the field to finish due to heat. We pulled car #4, so we have an advantage in getting back and forth to the car for ice and water.

Wish us luck! My pancakes just arrived and I’m ravenous. The fat kid on the team has to eat!

The high today in Philadelphia is predicted to reach 97F/36C with 80% humidity and possible heat index values of up to 105!