You've had those custom-made right-out-of hell days, right? Well, all the forces of the universe gathered to test my endurance and stamina today. I was so exhausted from yesterday's eighty mile run that I didn't get back on the bike until ten am. That's late when you consider interstate traffic, noise, mounting heat, and start-up winds.
I Would need to pedal sixty-two miles today. But I had made a major goof. I had not cleaned out my electrolye power pak fluids from my water bladder. Big mistake. You know what stale urine smells like, right? By noon my water tasted like what stale urine smells like. Just imagining that I was drinking urine turned my stomach. Yet, that was the only water source I had. I managed to get to 1:30 pm when I became dehydrated. I prayed and tried to stay focused until I could pull into Dutton about twenty miles further north.
I prayed real hard to be spared the ignominy of dying of thirst and dehydration. I thought, "well maybe I should lay out of the side of the interstate so someone will stop and offer me a ride." No, I gotta do this myself.
Three hours turned into nine hours. The heat practically gave me a white cross to place beside the road--"don't be stupid like this cyclist; always carry fresh Power Pak and plenty of water."
The last twenty miles was a crap shoot and the final ten miles was uphill. No trees for shade. No towns to stop by to get some air-conditioning, instead, lots of heat. Eventually whining turned toward reflection, focus, and hope. I knew that if I could make it to Conrad, I'd have a shower in the local motel. So hopeful was I that, sheltered under an overpass in a sliver of shade, i made a reservation.
Sometimes wind, heat, incipid long climbs, and personal stupidity hit the fan all at once. So you learn to pray, shelter, and hope. And when that tiny town finally comes into sight -- you offer thanks. :)
Sooooo glad you made it! I was concerned for you..
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