Heat Exhaustion

On our way back home from NY, I had some trouble.   

I hadn't had enough water to drink over the previous couple of days.  Though I usually drink three to five bottles of water every day, during this trip we were very busy and I didn't drink nearly enough. Strike one.

On the day we were coming home it was over 90 degrees out.  Strike two.

I felt hot so I didn't wear anything but a tank top and jeans.  When riding a motorcycle, sweating just gets dried right away when you don't wear something to absorb your sweat and keep it on your skin.  So it depletes your fluids very fast.  Strike three.

In hind sight, I could have realized on our last stop that I was about to be in trouble.  I felt hot but wasn't sweating any more, and on this stop I didn't need to visit the lady's room.  But since I didn't realize, we were on the road soon after having a frozen smoothie from McDonalds.  

Maybe 45 minutes later we pulled up to a toll booth.  I started feeling like my heart was beating WAY too hard and I was starting to get a head ache. I've had this problem before so I recognized it.  I told Jesse, "I have to get off this bike and get water right away."  We pulled off the high way at the first convenience store.  

Jesse got a bag of ice to help me cool down.  Two hours, two bottles of water, a bottle of Gater Aid and some salty peanuts and pretzels later I was finally ready to get back on my bike.  Cooper was perfectly patient with me.  He was happy to lay with me on the ground as I recovered.

Thankfully he drank plenty before the trip and during our ride.