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phm14
0
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2008
- Messages
- 178
- Reaction score
- 58
- Location
- Houston
- First Name
- Pete
- Last Name
- McCann
Well, the heat was hot, the sand was deep and the trees were down. Stephen and I took off on the south loop from the east lot about 11:00. Stephen started having some hot start issues on his vintage bike early on, so by mile 5 I was riding solo. Lots of newly downed trees from the storm last week, probably about 10-12 more than the week before. Lots of tree hopping and cut arounds-no real problem until about mile 12 where a slight impass presented itself. Three big tree trunks in a 30' section, two of them looked about 5 feet apart. No biggie if you got a buddy, but as usual, I was solo
. There were also trees down in the dense underbrush on either side of the trail. I found a fresh cut around that required hopping 4 or so other trees, and after hopping the 1st two I decided to take my chances plowing through the thick brambles and bushes, but just wound up with even more trees to cross that were hidden in the underbrush. Found myself trapped-surrounded by downed trees and panting from the heat. I was stuck in the sun and the heat index must have been pushing 100 by then. I scouted my escape line on foot, flattening some brush so I could see the last log between my bike and the trail. I was able to drag the bike back for about an 8' run up, hopped the log, stalled the bike and almost dropped it. Man I was glad to get out of there-the heat was really driving the old heart rate up
Finished the 3 liters of water in my pack @ mile seventeen, and by the time I finished the 20 mile loop @ 2:30 the heat index was well over 100 and I was done. Shortest ride I've ever had out there. In the end I guess the only casualities were a slightly bruised ego and a busted boot strap. Think it's time for me to start getting up at 4:30 or so for an earlier start
. There were also trees down in the dense underbrush on either side of the trail. I found a fresh cut around that required hopping 4 or so other trees, and after hopping the 1st two I decided to take my chances plowing through the thick brambles and bushes, but just wound up with even more trees to cross that were hidden in the underbrush. Found myself trapped-surrounded by downed trees and panting from the heat. I was stuck in the sun and the heat index must have been pushing 100 by then. I scouted my escape line on foot, flattening some brush so I could see the last log between my bike and the trail. I was able to drag the bike back for about an 8' run up, hopped the log, stalled the bike and almost dropped it. Man I was glad to get out of there-the heat was really driving the old heart rate up Finished the 3 liters of water in my pack @ mile seventeen, and by the time I finished the 20 mile loop @ 2:30 the heat index was well over 100 and I was done. Shortest ride I've ever had out there. In the end I guess the only casualities were a slightly bruised ego and a busted boot strap. Think it's time for me to start getting up at 4:30 or so for an earlier start
Pretty sure I've still got a piece of a sticker in my finger, though. No sign of poison ivy....yet
