Originally Posted by
ctpres
Bandera - This ride is in your backyard. Shiner Gasp 100 starts and ends Shiner this year - also they added 25 - 50 rides.
Yep, a local-ish ride with a May 4 7:00 AM start will usually offer great riding conditions in S-TX with (hopefully) early cloud cover, a S-E wind and temps starting at ~70F and climbing to 85-90F.
With the wettest Sept-Oct in '18 the TX wildflowers should be spectacular all along the route.
With 5 weeks to prepare I'd get seat time in on the bike in whatever conditions CO offers for endurance, wouldn't bother with overdressing but would get event kit sorted/tested and stay with your weight loss program.
Being fit, properly equipped and adapted to the machine should get you up and over within your time goal (relatively) unstressed.
Enjoy the event, stay hydrated and have a Shiner Bock post ride.
-Bandera