My gosh! Today's ride was epic. Last night, in my mind, I was thinking of doing a Keene n Back + WS Windfarms Loop. I was a bit worried due to the weather forecast. It was predicted to be in the mid 90's. So, I played it be ear and took it by stages. I got up around 7:30ish. Had breakfast and then got ready. I was out the door by about 9:35. At this point, immediately after opening the door from the garage, I felt the heat as if it were mid day. So, this put doubt in my mind. Nevertheless, I prepared like I was going to do the entire ride. I brought 3 on board bottles and 2 stashed in the mail locker. After putting the provisions in the mail locker, I headed towards Keene. The wind had picked up a bit, but nothing major. My legs felt average. As I was making my way to the top of the descent, I was gauging the temperature. I felt the heat worse than the previous metric century. I knew it was going to be a tough climb up Keene, let alone the remainder of the ride. I made my way down to the base, soft pedaling most of the way. I made it to the base in average time, of which was not a concern. The climb was punishing. I was in the heat and hurt locker for most of the climb. I couldn't lift my tempo because of the excess heat. I kept the tempo nice and steady, adjusting where needed. Out of the saddle where it counted the most. After making it up over the Loop Monument, I was feeling better in the morale. The worst of Keene was done at that point. From there, it was mostly pain mitigation. I knew I had it in me to complete the climb, it was just a matter of saving my matches for later. After making the second dip, I was feeling better. Still having heat exhaustion, but doing ok. No serious soreness in the body. When I reached the summit, I stopped, hydrated, stretched, ate half of a power bar, and then made my way back to the mail lockers. The downhill was a welcome reprieve and I was able to cool off. Once at the mail lockers, I swapped out the bottles, took a few moments and then continued. The trek through OTR was the usual landmark concentration. First part being the most difficult, the remainder being done via pacing carefully. When I reached the end of OTR, I was committed to doing the WS loop. I had enough provisions (so I thought). After the 1 mile climb (done in moderate tempo), I was able to relax my way down to WS. The climb up WS was mostly a grind. The steepest sections at the end. I was constantly looking around (situation awareness), checking for traffic from behind. All the while, I was monitoring my HR. When I reached the last quarter mile, I was gassed. I was near my limit, resorting to my 32T on many occasions. Once at the summit, I stopped, ate the other half of my power bar, stretched, hydrated and then headed downhill. The descent was a bit scary. There was traffic from both directions, the road was steep. I was doing 40+ MPH in just a few hundred yards. I could have exceeded 50 if I had gotten into my tuck. I was reluctant because it didn't feel safe. I ended up riding the brakes to keep the speed in check. After making it to camaroon (sp?), I made the left turn. I knew the climb was only a mile and a half, or so. There was a last kicker in the end, I saved match for that brief section of road. Once over the top, I was relieved because that was the last major climbing of the day. The next 12 miles was mostly flat or downhill. I was able to fly down the descent, doing my tuck all the while. Much more controlled in this region. As I made my way to the 58, it was apparent that the wind had picked up. The remainder of the ride was going to be into the wind. That meant the flat sections were going to feel like modest climbing. I think the trek through Teh. Blvd was less of a burden that the previous time I was on that road. Partially because there was little to no traffic. At this point, I was worried about my provisions. I noticed I had only 1 bottle left. I had to ration it. When I made it back to WS Rd, I stopped by the local park to see if they had any drinking fountains... None to be found, so I got back on the road and headed west on Highline. The whole time on the 7.5 mile return trip (on this road), I took tiny sips of water and cytomax. Rationing as best I could. The heat was still a factor. I think it was less in that area than the previous dozen miles or so. I was constantly thinking of landmarks and how I should gauge my efforts. I was concerned that my legs were going to cramp due to the heat and lack of fluids. I'm glad I fed when I did. Once I had the last risers in my sight, I knew I could make my way back with little to no provisions left. During this past dozen miles, I noticed that my HR was elevated, by about 10bmp in excess. This meant, I was going more work to maintain the same tempo as on other days. After reaching the summit, It was a welcome relief, I drank what was left of my extra bottle, that was my motivation for the previous few miles. I only had two more risers to get past. The first was that quick grind to Banducci. I made it to OTR intact, still rationing my fluids. The trip down OTR was fun and games, my body recovering somewhat. Still no cramps at this point. When I reached Mariposa, I tried to get as much momentum going. It helped for a hundred yards, afterwhich I slowed to a crawl. I was telling myself, just get this over and you'll be golden. I was gassed, but not overly so. From there, it was the relief of having just a few miles left. I was dehydrated and needed fluids badly. I told myself, if anyone was going to have a lemonade stand, I would stop and get a few drinks. It was not to be the case today. I made my way back, doing the last grind up Weston and got home in one piece. Concentration was good today, I was able to keep my focus going. Thinking of stuff I wanted to get done when I got back home, and doing my usual mental checks (body, mind, bike, situation awareness). Balance and form felt good today. I think I'm headed in the right direction. Ailments consisted of sore hands, numbness in the right hand, some muscle soreness in the legs, mild soreness in the back, the big toes were sore towards the last 10 miles of the ride, my left pinky toe felt sore. I adjusted my velcro straps, I think it helped a bit. None of the ailments were excessive and did not detract too much from my pacing. Gear worked flawless today. Other notes, I saw seven or eight cyclists today.