Monday, April 20, 2009

Day 5 - continued, Valley of Fire!!!

Slight delay in finishing the post for day 5. You'll see why...

As I left St. George, which is a nice little town, I had to jump back on one of those infamous high-speed interstate highways to Las Vegas area. Something about those vast expanses of raw desert with few towns or services in between that's both beautiful and deadly. This day, it almost turned deadly for me.

It was dehydration, and minor heat stroke. I was making good time across the vast expanses, being buffeted by the semi trucks again, and some wind gusts. I tried to drink at each stop, but didn't stop all that much. Nowhere really to even stop for up to an hour on that bit of road, just huge mountain ranges escorting you off in the distance, as you ride the highway that seems to go forever.

I felt it warming up, so ventilated my riding jacket on full, and kept on riding. The miles on the GPS can squeek by slowly if you're uncomfortable. But I was still psyched about Zion, and was keeping positive attitude. I chugged water at each stop. But I didn't eat except for a meal bar, and that was a mistake too. But I just wasn't hungry.

I finally got to the turn-off for the Valley of Fire park, about 45 mins from Vegas. The plan was, since it was "sorta" on the way, to make a quick sweep through to grab some pictures, then scoot up to Rachel,NV (area 51) for the night. But by the time I drove the 35 miles up the rural roads to the turn-off for the canyon itself, I was starting to feel nauseaus and a bit "woozy". I knew it wasn't good and that I needed to stop and eat and hydrate. But hey, I was there now; didn't just want to turn around and not see it.

So I stopped at the entrance for the usual "proof" pictures, and chugged water and strapped my riding jacket to my pack, so I was just in a T-shirt but still had my heavy riding pants on.

Needless to say, it was a big mistake to ride up there at that point. What I should have done was to turn-around and backtrack 10 miles to the McD's I passed,and eat, then go up later. But the canyon truly was incredible and I felt a lot better moving along without that heavy riding jacket. The rocks there are a brilliant red color, and contrasted against the crystal blue sky, it was something to see.

I stopped for lots of pictures, which each stop takes its toll on me, as the sun truly was making this place live up to its name. I found out later it was up in the 90's that day there. So by the time I rolled back down, I was feeling really funky and made straight for the air conditioned McDonalds I passed earlier for food, water and to cool down.

I was feeling really dizzy inside, and was worrying I was going to pass out right there. I've trained in the heat before, and know first aid for heat stroke and dehydration. So I started self-administering right there. I ordered food, waters, and milks, and immediately got out of my heavy riding pants. I ended up taking off my shoes/socks, right there in the resteraunt. (much to the chagrin of a little old lady sitting across the way) I drank 3 milks and 3 waters, and slowly ate a Big Mac. I was holding cups up to my head, ice cubes to the back of my neck. I even went into their bathroom (barefoot) and soaked down my T-shirt in the sink and put it back on.

In the end, I pulled myself back from the brink and didn't end up calling 9-11 (because I dislike ER's, but I did consider it a few times as I fought off passing out right there at the table in McDonald's. I wasn't embarrassed at that point; it was survival mode and I didn't care. After over an hour, I was able to look up local motel just a couple miles up the road. I got my boots back on, strapped everything else to the bike, and let old paint lead me there. (It was like an oven outside, and just that short ride didn't help the situation.

So I got cooled down in the shower, drank lots and lots, and finally urinated for the first time I could remember that day. It was dark, and not healthy people. (sorry, but being frank so others may learn from my mistakes)

They say once you feel the effects, it's too late. I was certainly done, and that sapped my strength and will to continue. I was still shaky and weak, even the next morning. So that evening I looked closely at my planned route, and made the call that I could not physically continue on to Area 51, which was not such a disappointment. There's no services there to speak of, and the ride through the Nevada desert was getting old. It was much more cool, twisty and fun to return back on 395 from Bishop.

So the much touted Area 51 will have to wait. In the end, this ride became a geologist's dream vacation and I got to see one of the 7 wonders of the world. That is good enough for me.

So I crashed out about 5pm in the hotel room, and slept right through till next day. I managed to see an amazing place (Valley of Fire), and learned some hard lessons.

I was, however, still almost 12 hours from home; too far to ride in a day...in fact, it's two full days' ride before I see my girls' sweet faces again. I was feeling very forlorn, lonely, physically exhausted suffering dehydration, and mentally done. How could I ride another 350 miles on those high-speed interstates in those desert heats and winds tomorrow? What choice did I have...ship the bike and fly home from Vegas?

No. I would wake early and try to ride before it warms up. And I'll ride without my heavy gear on; just my BDU pants and long-sleeve T-shirt. (very little protection at 80 MPH, I might add, and wasn't sure if the high speed winds might dry me out worse than my riding jacket makes me hot)

In the end, bad dehydration and heat stroke chaned my plans about Area 51, but the journey home was 12 hours riding either way I went. What began as 5-day trip has now become 7.

I've learned a lot on this journey; about the country, about long distance motorcycle riding, about gear and techniques, and about myself. In future posts, I'll touch on some of those, and recap some lessons learned.

I got some great pictures on Day 5, and will be uploading some of those in future post.

Mike

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