Sweatin’ My Ass Off

It was a hot mother f***er in the park this past weekend. Three (3) work sessions down, nine liters plus (>9) of water consumed, and gallons (seemingly) of sweat poured out.

Saturday morning two (2) other hardy souls showed up to help. We made our way to the third (3rd) hill from the north on the east side of the park and dug some fine looking trail.

The Saturday afternoon heat and humidity proved too much for anyone else. I spent the session picking the line for the west part of the middle loop. I was totting a saw along. I used the session to clear the corridor by removing complete trees, removing branches still attached to trees, and moving downed branches.

Sunday was the hottest and it sure felt like the worst humidity level. Another dude and I got after it anyway. In the woods on the western half of the park is pretty easy digging. We dug more than one hundred feet (100’) of trail before the heat and humidity persuaded the helper to evacuate with his life and sanity in hand. I stuck it out until the water in my Camelbak was sucked dry. Since I typed this and you’re reading this, it is evident I escaped with my life. My sanity – well, that’s your call.

Here’s the way I’m seeing it – if at least five (5) others show up to help on Tuesday evening, we’ll very likely knock out the remaining trail on the western half of the middle loop. The eastern half of the north loop is almost done. If we could catch a break in the weather, it is highly probable we could have the entire remaining trail dug by Labor Day.

Friday I alluded to installing a wood bridge. Scheduling conflicts kept me from getting the necessary materials. I’m looking to get this done this week. With one (1) helper I think it could be installed in one (1) three (3) hour work session. Once this is in I’ll need to get after the wood berm. We’re closing on having another ride-able loop and this would be the proverbial icing on the cake.

This week is going to be fricking packed with stuff. Last night it was at the paying job. I’m swamped there. Tonight I have another meeting for the proposed Blood Run State Park. Tuesday evening is trail build night. Wednesday I have another Blood Run meeting. Thursday is trail pack bike ride night. And Friday is, well, too far away to see given all that is going on. Oh yeah, Jazz Fest that night. Maybe I’ll see you there. Maybe instead I’ll take a little “me time.”

The combination of being extremely busy at work, ram-rodding the trail digging project, participating in the Blood Run State Park planning, you would think this burning-the-candle-from-both-ends would leave little time or capacity for anything else. That was sort of the experiment – to see if that would be the case. But, no. Personal issues seem to ramp up the insomnia along with everything else.

I need a fricking vacation. I mean a real one (1). Looking at the calendar the first (1st) opportunity to get out of town is Labor Day weekend for the Dakota Five-Oh. About a week or so after that, it’s looking like a Las Vegas bike related gig.

I think my fall will be putting the U.S. Bike Routes into “full speed ahead” mode. It will also be western states exploration time. I love scouting trips! And, having an end game in mind should provide much needed peace of mind.

Ride On.