Geek Venturing Outside

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Big Sur Ahead!

On our way to Monterey we met Larry who was nice enough to show us
around Monterey. The enterance to Hwy 1 is a bit tricky from Monterey
and not marked well. Thanks Larry!

Just Keep Pedaling

In the morning leaving Santa Cruz, I wasn't fully focused. With an arm
full of water bottles and my biking shoes on I slipped and fell down
the stairs.

Two bruised elbows are the reminder to always keep one hand on the
railing!

We rode through some farms between SC and Monterey. It would have been
more exciting but I was longing for some kind of tree to protect me
from the sun.

The ocean is just in sight for part of the ride as we headed a bit
inland. I missed the cool breze we left in Santa Cruz.

One thing that struck me about Santa Cruz was how poignant the salty
sea air was along the bike path in the morning. Scott pointed out a
home in Santa Cruz he frequents with his family.

Another Jensen sign at our stop crossing.

I took some pictures of Moss Landing. Those are for you Mr. Waller!
The seals were too lazy to greet us.

Ark helped put things in perspective for me. He said there are two
types of fun. Type 1 is the fun you have in the moment. Type 2 is the
fun you have only after you look back on it.

Up until the dehydration this trip has been type 1 fun.

All the way to Big Sur I was thinking like Dori from Little Nemo:
"Just keep Pedaling."

Three Seconds

The from Santa Cruz to Big Sur is about 85 miles. It isn't very hilly,
but it is exposed and hot.

This was my worst day. I still couldn't eat. I was exhausted. I forced
down as much water as possible and it still wasn't enough.

Being slow is an understatement. We averaged < 10 mph. I'm not sure
what drove me on.

In wilderness survival training you learn the Rule of Threes.

You can survive for
3 weeks without food
3 days without water
3 hours without shelter
3 minutes without air
3 seconds without the will to continue

More of a simplified heuristic than a rule, but it outlines an
important point that the most important need for survival is the will
power to survive.

My will power was fading as my appitite decreased.

~D
Sent from my iPhone

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I knew it would be tough to leave Half Moon Bay after passing through
so close to home. It was made even worse that arriving in HMB I was
completely dehydrated. The sun had come out in full force and I had
all the symptoms of heat exhaustion. I did not drink or eat enough.

I had a fever and chills through the night. The next day I had no
appitite. I was completely exhausted, but my wife told me that I could
make it and I believed her.

She also told me that people were taking bets on if I would finish
past Half Moon Bay.

Scott rode off in the morning to hit the bike shop and get a new
phone. I rolled out solo starting at 2pm when I finally was able to
get the energy to ride on.

"Rest Day 50"; I was close to giving up.

99 bottles of beer is only a 30 minute song.

~D
Sent from my iPhone