5/5 Wholly different experience yesterday (Saturday). 68 mile gravel ride up to Truro—first on the rail trail, then looping along the sandy fire roads and single track that weave their way through the middle of that part of the Cape.

Felt strong, had plenty of water, food, and places along the way to get more. I did pray for a little rain more than once—none was forthcoming.

4/n I felt better and better as I rehydrated, ate, and most importantly: cooled off in a cold shower.

I haven’t been this affected by the heat since 1993, when I was roasted while hiking along Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.

I’m doing fine now. Hiked 6 miles Friday through the woods here in Harwich, MA without incident or discomfort.

3/n So, we found me a shady spot to wait for them to ride back to the cars and return to pick me up. I had plenty of water and food to sustain me as I waited.

I don’t remember how long it took, but they returned, loaded up my bike and me and took me to my car. I had a cooler full of sports drinks and we all chugged one down then parted ways.

They headed back upstate and I went back to my mom’s in Harwich (on the Cape).

2/n My HR stayed high as I rested, I felt a little nauseous, there was a new ringing in my ears that joined my existing tinnitus.

My riding companions, Brian and Eli, at first tried to encourage me to continue—the way any teammate would goad one to soldier on, as if the problem was merely one of encouragement.

But I knew something was very wrong. I just wanted to lie down on the trail and… just lie there.