With the warm weather riding season fast approaching we all are ready to get back in shape. Back in 2019 I was on a ride with General Lee Kirsch and during the last  mile I was chasing two A riders west on Victory Road when I  blacked out doing 20+. The next thing I remember is coming to lying on the side walk bleeding. Lee was about 100 yards behind me. He stayed with me until the ambulance came. I was OK other then a gash on my arm and finger. However I made a appointment with a cardiologist the following week. I was given a Nucleat Stress Test which shows any blockage in the arteries around the heart.  Everything was fine with the test. The black out episode was attributed to no food that morning and low hydration. 

I would highly recommend any riders who frequently go in zone 4-5 to get checked by a cardiologist and to always wear a Heart Rate Monitor and know your zone 5 level. My zone 5 is 150-160 BPM.  This is especially important during the beginning of the season when we push our limits to get in shape.