More than you want to know (pt 2)

Beautiful day for a drive.

When I got off the turnpike, I pulled into the first convienence store to fill up my hydration pack. I stuffed it full of rabbit-pellet ice, then pressed the white lever next to the orange pop to get my water. Filling the bag, I sealed it, then grabbed and bought a small pack of Fig Newtons, to “pay” for my ice. Then, I drove to the parking lot for the trails.

I wore sweats, and mildly regretted it, as it was completely shorts weather. I quickly assembled my bike, donned my pack, and took off down the dike which gives access to the trails a mile or two downriver. At the trailhead, I stopped and stretched my legs. Very important to do this. Most people don’t stretch enough in their daily lives, let alone before exercise. Plus, it feels great!

The trail is a clockwise loop about 4 miles out and 5 miles back, the first part being on the inside, where the land rumples into the floodway – the last part being a technical wander through the mostly flat wood of the river’s edge.

This first hilly part is the real contest for me. The contest is to see how quickly I can get my mettle. The first part of this side is the most hilly – many steep grades, some of them with switchbacks, all of them with roots and ruts and lots of technical hazards, with snakey flats between valleys. A mountain biker is only as good as his attitude (plus some experience and equipment). The most important part for me is “trust your bike – trust yourself”. This means taking my hands off the breaks, and learning to trust my bike when I lean in and through the curves, or throw myself down into a valley.

The sooner I get that edge, the sooner I enjoy the ride, and the sooner I am a safer rider. A mountain bike rider who constantly rides the brakes is going to wipe out alot, slow others down, and contribute to the erosion of the bike path.

I got my groove quickly, and was averaging 12mph. About the first mile in, I started to chide myself to drink water – that was why I was carrying it after all – and took my first sip to clear the lines of old water. This I spit or let dribble from the hose. Then I took a long draw as I felt the cold water pass through the pipe.

It was carbonated water!

This too, I spit!

Chuckling to myself, I continued to ride, knowing I’d be no worse off for the lack of water. It wasn’t hot enough to really sweat, and I wouldn’t have drank any water during this period if I hadn’t been riding, so…

At about mile 2, the pumping of my legs and abs gave rise to the sensation that my digestive system was finishing a meal and that the last step would soon be ready. I wasn’t worried – I can hold my bowels for a couple of days at need, and knew this was only around an hour ride. However, at mile 3, I realized this might be a more pressing need.

At mile 4, I am at the part of the trail where it begins to curve toward the river. I am a short distance (maybe 200 yards) from the “halfway point” there. My body is making it clear that “retreat” is not going to be an option either. I begin to scan for a safe place to do my needed deed. Just up the hill from me is a banked turn frequented by more technical riders. It kinda shoots them down the dogleg toward the river. I figured the backside of that banking turn would provide cover from the riding area, and I knew that this far down the path, there was no other civilization to observe my craft.

I shambled up the hill, ditched bike and pack, and began surveying for supplies needed. My body chose not to wait. Racing against the heaving of my bowels, I fumbled the knot of my sweats and dropped my drawers in time to paint the shoulder of the banked turn, some 2-3 feet away. Incredible. I had no idea such was really possible. Projectile forces….

By good chance and a loving God, the spot that was chosen for me to squat was immediately before a pile of tree bark. Thin stuff, like from a birch or something. I used this, and also the leaves nearby. Unfortunately, these are best at moving dry materials – they lack absorbancy. So after 10 minutes of doing my best, letting everything hang out, and eventual evaporative drying – not to mention the two bikers who got a suprise rounding that turn – I saddled up again, and proceeded to enjoy my ride.

I plan to pack the necessary supplies in my backpack before riding again – just in case.