Cyclists to deal with scorching temperatures during bike race
LAWRENCE - As the temperatures heat up, so does anticipation for the 4th annual Tour of Lawrence. Not only are competitors going up against some of the best cyclists in the country, they'll also battle mother nature over the next three days.
Cyclists we talked to say beating the heat starts before the race. Sunflower Outdoor and Bike owner and Tour of Lawrence Competitor Dan Hughes says most, if not all, competitors have already begun drinking plenty of water and other fluids. But when the race starts, staying hydrated can be a logistical nightmare and force racers to make some costly decisions.
Spectators are sure to see racers grabbing water bottles, but drinking it may not be as refreshing as you think. As the temperatures rise, so will the temperature of the liquids inside the water bottle. That means a lot of times, racers will be drinking hot water.
The tour kicks off Friday night from Downtown Lawrence at 7:00 p.m. with the women's open. By that time, temperatures are expected to be hovering around 100 degrees.