hot and smoky century

    I did 250 miles last week.  On Tuesday, even though the air was full of wildfire smoke, I decided to do 100 miles.  To add to the health-building benefits the temperature was 106 degrees.  I rode out to the American River Trail and did most of the miles on that.  There wasn't that many people out so there was an upside.  My only concern was to not run over any squirrels.  I think that's more stressful than riding on the road with cars, trucks and the occasional loud-mouthed passenger.

     Even though I ate about 300 calories an hour along with about 600mg sodium and all of the water I felt like drinking the last few miles my tank was emptying fast.  As I was watering my garden when I got home I had to stay squatted down to keep my blood pressure high enough to keep from fainting.  Oh yeah, I remember saying I didn't like long-distance riding.  I guess I should have taken a recovery break or two.  The next day I felt good on my regular 34-mile loop and did one of my better times (for Pokey).