Today was quite the opposite of yesterday. Low energy, slow speeds, very high temperatures. It was miserable. Sometimes you get so hot that you feel like throwing up and your whole body gets itchy. On top of that there were headwinds, so I tried to hang behind Nate who is taller than me and breaks some of the wind. Toward the end of the day I had doubt that I could make it... I was getting chills from dehydration and the roads were not nice. I resorted to spitting water on my arms and legs to cool off.
On a brighter note, there were some very cool animals along the route today. We saw two huge bulls at a farm, as awesome hawk on a street sign, and a field with tons of foals and their moms.
Another note: I officially came up with a name for my bike today. It shall be called Lawrence, named for Chamberlain of the 20th Maine in the Civil War. I was told before the trip by my pop to think about the struggles of the infantry men being in the heat, war, and away from home. My struggles are not as great, but it helps to think about it. So Lawrence and I are in it together!
OK, I am going to be the mother here. Nausea and chills are signs of heat exhaustion. Be alert to these signs and do something about them--do not just endure or gut your way through them. This is a condition that can lead to heat stroke, a serious problem. So get off your bike, out of the sun, into water, drink liquids and try to cool down. If not, get in the van. You might face these heat extremes again on the trip--so be alert about this. Mom
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing when i read this blog!! Bryn, you are doing a great job and I am so impressed but not surprised. You need to take those signs seriously....I will be the nurse here....you could actually end up with paralysis from heat stroke. That is why it is called 'stroke'!!!!!! Keep going, stay healthy, have fun!!
ReplyDeletemarci