Wearing light-colored cycling clothes.
I wore a red and white cycling which I feel helped deflect some of the hot sun. I saw some riders in all black!
Seek advice.
I sought out and received valuable advice from HHH veterans that really made a difference.
Stretching before the ride.
I stretched almost 20 minutes at the motel before the ride. Really got me loose.
Riding with others.
As much as possible I tried to find other riders to join. That seemed to make the miles melt away better and a good wheel to draft on is a blessings. I even got a few riders behind ME!
Going at my own pace.
Despite the temptation to keep up with the fast riders I found a pace that felt good for me and stuck with it. Going out too fast is a common mistake on any tour and can be an awful mistake in the HHH.
Using a heart rate monitor.
This maybe helped me more than anything to finish. When I became overheated and exhausted from re-filling my leaking back tire I came close to "sagging" back to Wichita Falls. But deciding to press on I watched my HRM carefully to be sure I was in a good zone.
Being very tired I was not a good judge of my condition but the HRM helped me retrieve real information. When my HR got above 170 I backed off regardless of speed. When I got back to the 150s and 160s I felt so much better. I would NEVER ride HHH without a HRM again.
Riding 60 miles before stopping for the first time.
Worked for me in that I used the cool morning to get many miles down the road.
Stopping at ALL rest stops thereafter.
Kept me refreshed before the flat tire and kept me going afterwards. Reapplying sunscreen at each stop was very important.
Never say, "I'll see you at the start line."
Arrange a time and place to meet or forget it.
Never believe the weather man.
The forecast was for more mild temperatures and less wind. Something went wrong at the National Weather Service apparently. Prepare for the worst and save back some energy for the last 20 miles.
Did not save up for the consumer show Friday.
Bargains galore!