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Day 5. Folsom, CA to Pollock Pines, CAYesterday: Day 4. Davis, CA to Folsom, CATomorrow: Day 6. Pollock Pines, CA to Sly Park Rec Area, CA
Synopsis
I made it. Those three words sum up a day's worth of suffering. I could also use: relentless, grueling, wack. From Folsom to Placerville for lunch. From Placerville to Pollock Pines for rest. By the end of the day, I ended up at around 4000 feet altitude, with Placerville more-or-less marking the half-way point at 2,000. Pretty much from the get-go, I went up. and up. and up and up and up. But not just that. It was hot, too. I don't know how hot, but I would guess pushing 90 for a lot of the climb, but I don't know for sure. When it comes to heat, cycling is often a great thing to be doing. The constant speed typically acts to keep you cool. But when you climb, you aren't moving very fast. Although today's average speed was a little over 8mph, I spent a lot of the day at 4mph. Not much cooling is happening at 4mph. I must have drunk a gallon of gatorade and at least a couple gallons of water. By the time I got to the Inn, my shirt was covered in the salt from my perspiration. I wanted to quit. Not once, but at least half-a-dozen times. I stopped often. I sat in the shade. I went to the fruitstand just above Placerville and ate a couple peaches. I almost fell asleep. Upon arriving to a small town called Camino, I sat in the shade for 10 minutes. Then rode my bike one block, stopped to buy more liquids and sat in the shade for another 20. The heat; the loose gravel road for the last few miles outside of Placerville; the uphill. But then I turned left onto the Pony Express Trail -- the road where my hotel is located. My hydration and energy levels were still high enough, but my mind was tired. But that sign said it. The name of the road. Thoe hotel. A Shower. A Bed. Some shade. Now I can happily say that today was awesome. It was epic. It is the start of many more to come, but at the end it is worth it. New York is without power and I am in the mountains. I am glad I am in the mountains. I am hungry. Oh nice, my pizza was just delivered. I think I will eat it now. All of it. I will have to see how I feel in the morning. The plan was to summit Carson Pass and descend a few miles before camping tomorrow night. A 30-mile climb separates me from that summit. If I feel fresh and recovered, I will go for it. If I am sore, feel dehydrated or depleted, then I will weigh my options.
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