July 10, Stage 4

July 10, Welcome recovery day. The day started with a 1500 or so foot climb out of Coulee Dam--dams are not located up high. 8-9% grade, heart rate up to 138 or so. After the first rest stop at 22 miles (rest stops are usually portable tents with a few portable canvas chairs, a selection of drinks--Heed and Sustained Energy are probably the best, but any junk food with sugar or salt works. (I am sure to have major dental work in about 6 months.) Sometimes the rest stops are in the shade, but usually alongside the road in the sun. Restrooms are usually provided by nature. I did not feel so well for the next 20 miles, but remembered that I happened to have a packet of "green pills" in my jersey pocket. John Prine sings about an "illegal smile." Green pills are legal, but they bring a smile to me about 30 minutes after downing them. They are sold as "Sure 2 Endure" and contain an herb called ciwujia (sp?) that helps the body to convert fat to energy. (Actually, they helped me on Monday and Tuesday, also.) Sure enough, 30 minutes later, I had this nice rush of energy, with speed picking up from 14 to 18. The effect lasts about two hours. My biking friend, Jim Aldeman, who introduced me to "Sure 2 Endure" in 1998, says that I am the only person he knows who experiences that effect. I tell him that "you gotta believe" in the green pills. At lunch, I consumed some "Mountain Dew," which added to the green pills effect. Since I am a Methodist, I tend to avoid caffiene, so when I indulge, my heart gets going. When Route 2 turned northwest into Spokane for the last twenty miles, the combined effect of green pills, Mountain Dew and a tailwind had me really moving and feeling great. Got in at 3, did my laundry, and felt/feel pretty good. How about this for a roommate--Sid Turner had an iced down beer ready for me. It was another hot day--95-100 degrees. Saw Roosevelt Lake, foothills, deserts. wheat fields, long, straight highways that stretched forever. A word about riding on the shoulder of major highways, with cars, motorhomes, semis, etc., flying by at 70 mph and about five feet away. This is one of those things in life for which I use the psychological defense mechanism of DENIAL. Now that I have mentioned it, you turn on your own capacity for denial. Life works better that way. "Don't worry, be happy." The shoulders have ranged from 3-8 feet wide, with most today in the wider range. Of course, there a rocks, gravel and glass pieces to watch out for. About 85 miles today, 4200+ feet of climbing. Tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful ride through forests after leaving Spokane and entering Idaho. Sorry if some of these are a bit lengthy. As the days blend together, they will be my memory record. Thanks to Marsha for taking cyber dictation and doing the blog by phone last night since I did not have wifi.