Under the Weather...

Countdown - 38 days

Today I was feeling under the weather and took a sick day from work. Got plenty of rest and feel a bit better as I write this (just before retiring for the night). But as usual, my mind didn't stray much from the adventure that is about to begin, so I had the day to think of things.

After the initial realization that I wasn't 100% today, (and getting all the necessary notification calls in and urgent emails and duties handled) I napped. While sleeping, I dreamt that I was on the GVA (Gordo's Vancouver Adventure) and feeling just as ill. I know what I'll have to do and that is simply press on. But today I was feeling a bit dizzy and wondered if the same were to occur in July, how would I handle it? It's not like I can just 'take a sick day' and wait it out. I've got 6,500 miles to cover in no more than 18 days in order to be successful. Can't really sit around waiting to feel better. But riding a bike while dizzy just isn't smart. And I'm rather proud that I always ride 'smart'. That means nothing that would hamper me from having a safe riding day (no alcohol, no hangovers, no sleep deprivation, etc.)

But it also made me think about the term 'under the weather'. Weather is a huge factor on this trip. If I have days like we're having now in Fort Wayne (sunshine and mid to upper 80's for temps) I'll be fine (warm, surely, but fine). If I get lots of rain or worse (storms), I'll have to alter things in order to remain safe. I promised my wife that I wouldn't do anything that might put me in harm's way, and that included trying to drive through rotten weather. Sure, I'll do my best to become a roadside meteorologist but I'm no expert (and if you've ever paid close attention to the prognosticators on TV, I'd say they aren't exactly experts either, yet they have the title!)

Certainly this doesn't mean I can't get a little wet. Rain never hurt anyone and only damages your pride once your shiny ride gets coated in the grimy wetness that is road sludge and truck wash. No self-respecting biker wants his ride to look like he doesn't care about it. I've ridden in rain plenty of times (and got my "Wet Butt Rider" patch to prove it). Simple drizzle and even steady rain isn't that much of a problem. It means slowing down and manuvering more carefully. If people don't expect to see motorcycles, they *really* don't expect to see them in rain.

Storms, hail, lightning and downpours are another story. Those are the kind I sit out. Usually they pass in a few hours at most, and you can be back on your way (still grimy and moist, but alive).

Since I don't know a whole lot about weather patterns along this route, I'm sure I'll be surprised by some. Might even get a freak snowshower in the mountains. I fully expect rain the closer I get to Seattle/Vancouver. And I'm expecting temperatures to drop substantially as I get further north and into mountainous areas. Again, preparation is the key.

It's the unknown that worries me. And I'm a worrier. So I'll continue to prepare for the worst (by bringing cold weather gear, rainsuit, extra gloves and plastic to cover electronics and such), and hope for the best.

And the best that I'm hoping for includes worrying about sunscreen, rehydration, and at least a bit of cloud cover from time to time. I mean, I'm gonna worry, so I might as well hope it's worry about something I have more control over than the weather or illness.

It makes me wonder: What do you, dear reader, worry about the most when thinking about me taking this wonderful ride alone for 6,500 miles and most of it in desolate areas? What do you suggest I worry about? Better still, put yourself in my saddle. What would you worry about? (and running out of lip gloss is NOT an acceptable answer!)