Megga Bonk!
It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I should have followed my intuition and turn back at the top.
I was convinced I was ready to ride Woodruff, a tough ride pretty much any time, but add the wind and heat............it's pretty rough. Getting to the top of Monte was a little slower than I'd like, but I thought I was keeping some in the tank for the ride back. At Woodruff, I made a fairly quick turn after getting some Poweraid and a little fuel. As is typical, the cross and head-winds where pretty stiff. Add the solar exposure and the blasted heat - it really baked me. At about the halfway point, I was spent. It took me double what I had expected. All that did was make it worse. I should have either pushed it hard, or went back to Woodruff for a bailout. On the way down Monte, I was fading fast. It was getting pretty dangerous, so I had to keep stopping. Finally at around MP 30, I couldn't go any more. I was in serious trouble and not less than 5 miles from cell service. A guy driving by swung back, as he could tell I was bad off. He was generous enough to haul me down to Etta Baker's vet clinic, at about MP 22. From there I called for a ride. Call it 101 miles the absolute hardest way.
I've bonked before. Generally about once a year. I've never been like this though. Maybe it was knowing I had no cell service, or that I let it get into my head. Regardless, it was as bad as I can remember.
The body can do amazing things when your mind doesn't interfere. If you start acting defeated, than defeated you shall eventually become. Doing things like not eating and properly hydrating only makes it worse. Admittedly, I was a bit apprehensive about trying Woodruff, but I had to get it under my belt sooner, rather than later. I started thinking about how I thought it hurt, when it really didn't. I started to act fatigued, when I should have known better. I held back, when I thought I needed to save something. It was all stupid and now I'm paying. I'm burned, weak and demoralized.
I've got to head out to Michigan Sunday afternoon. I'll be back Tuesday, so I'll be off the bike. It won't be much of a rest, as it'll be about a week's worth of work in one day. Between now and then, I'm being dragged around in the heat and close quarters. I need some relief and a little rest, but there is no time.
It can't put this one down. Headed back.........soon. The Sisters - Love Hurts
Ride HARD!
