The Trials and Tribulations of Training

How's that title for alliteration?
Actually, the training has been good so far, in the face of the challenges I face. There were two challenges that I faced at the beginning:
1. The weather. The first couple of weeks, it has been cold and windy, with a little bit of snow thrown in. Not the best for cycling.
2. Time. While I can do a couple of good days of biking, I find it a challenge to do some biking the rest of the week, as work fills up my days.
Despite these dual challenges, I am on track with the training chart that is posted on the Sea to Sea website. At this point, I am fairly confident that I could do 50/60 kilometres every day.
These are now the challenges I face:
1. Getting to the next level of distance, as I need to do an average of 120 kms every day. To reach this  distance, I need to do one long distance ride each week. That requires making time on my day off to do that.
2. Hills. It really is flat around here. I need to take my bike to Gatineau for some serious hill climbing.
3. Heat. I have attempted to brave the cold, but it is heat that will be the challenge in the first week or two of the tour. We will be just south of Death Valley, as we go from LA to Phoenix . I expect temperatures to be in the high 30's. How do I prepare for that?
4. Mechanical. I have yet to change my tire. I need to learn how to deal with flats, as well as basic bike maintenance.
In addition, I have to book my flight to LA and figure out how I am going to get back from NYC, plus try to promote the cause beyond our church community.
That's it for now.