I came around the corner and there was a black bear charging towards me. I quickly jumped off my bike and readied myself for battle.

No one knew I was out here 20 miles from Bozeman in the Gallatin Range. I was riding my bike alone. That is what I have done lately. I have become a loaner lately and prefer to ride my bike far from home then sit  alone with no one to talk to.

And now I was facing down a bear. I raised my bike over my shoulders but the beast did not even noticed. At the last moment I tried to alert the bear with my voice. “Up up up” I shouted. A phrase I usually yell at a bike racer going up a hill. But this is all that I could mutter at this time.

With that the bear reeled and headed off in the opposite direction. Relieved I placed my bike back on the trail. The big guy didn’t even see me and was running from a sound which was probably my brakes bouncing off the canyon walls. He was not attacking me at all. A total miscommunication.

And yet another photo of me riding in H y a l i t e … ok, last one

It is common to feel that just because you are moving you don’t have to worry about sunburn. Because the wind is cooling your skin … right? Specially if you ride your bike fast enough. And then again, maybe I don’t ride my bike fast enough. As you can guess by the theory above I did get a sunburn yesterday. I guess I missed the memo … summer is here.

Back on the trail

Last night was the first time back on my bike since I got sick. And it felt good. I am surprised at how fast I am bouncing back. Still though, I am cautious about doing anything strenuous for a couple more days. I still havent visited my email inbox and stuff-to-do list. Still behind but making progress. Sadly for me I am getting depressed. The race this weekend in Helena is a no go mostly because I just got off sickness but I am not fit for the bike racing aspect.  And then I learned that I didn’t make registration for the 12 hour race next weekend. Major bummed out … MAJOR!

Riding in Hyalite

I still cough, violently at times. Yesterday … fatigued; but today I feel a little better. When my first signs of the infection appeared last Thursday I should have taken evasive action with elderberry tincture. And then when I knew I was going down hard I should have at least hit the oscillococcinum. But I didn’t and now I am in a hole digging out. And I should know better because I follow Ben Greenfield religiously. With a little research (mostly here) I know this much:

• oscillococcinum – can shorten the duration of colds and flu symptoms. Yasmin Nibbe
  
• pure absorbic acid – 1 to 2 grams every hour until you get loose stools. Dr. Daniel Chong
• stragalus – twice a day. Zia Hernandez
• elderberry tincture – when first symptoms appear. Ben Greenfield
• collodial silver spray or DHEA – to boost immune system, like before meeting others that may be sick, like at airports. Justin Mager, MD
• NO SUGAR – sugar suppresses the immune system for 5 to 6 hours. Ross Pelton
• oil of oregano – is a powerful anti-viral and anti-inflammatory and can end yeast infections.  Ben Greenfield

And yet … I never follow my advice.  Argh!  Well today I think I can ride … we will see how that goes.

Bike-packing out of Hyalite

I am back to work but all is not well. I cough … a lot sometimes. I can tell my lung capacity is low and my ambition to go outside nill. Even though it is beautiful out with hints of summer. But not yet. I am making my journey back out from sickness. So I got all my bags mounted and my bike is ready for the ride out.

Looking for trout … ok, maybe not.

When your healthy things are easy. And some of them you take for granted. Like ambition. To go outside or to get something done is relatively easy. But sick the ambition thing is missing. Dishes stack up and the house becomes a mess. Elements of depression like ice-cold water into your boots on a mountain stream crossing come calling. If you were healthy it would be like crossing a bridge over the icy water. Effortless and something taken for granted. Ambition is like a bridge to adventure.

Exhausted adventure crew

Rest is an element of being sick that is of utmost importance. In contrast to an adventure where rest is something that just comes along in patches and as opportunity arises.

Riding out of Hyalite

I have a long way to go to get better. Some think that as soon as there over the hump they are better. Not me. I am not better until I am back to full speed. So it can be weeks or months before I have full lung capacity and can maybe do an ultra race or two. Until then it is slowly introducing things as ambition comes back. In contrast with adventure. The journey with sick SUCKS. The journey in life and adventure is beautiful.