Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

We reached a point in the trail where the center was quite rutted from recent 
rain.  Ike was rubber-necking like a tourist so I put my leg on him to move 
him to the most stable looking side of the trail.  He was so preoccupied 
looking out for bear that I think I surprised him.  Rather than moving away from my 
leg he turned around to look at it.  He lost his footing and went down on his 
knees and nose.  I managed to stay on top (don't ask me how) then jumped off 
to take a look.  There were a few new patches of mud, and he seemed to step off 
"funny" when first asked.  My heart sank and I immediately started beating 
myself up as being at fault.  Then I noticed that he was walking OK.  Could it 
be that he's OK?  It certainly isn't consistent with my luck lately, but I 
climb on top and give it a try.  He moved out fine!  WHEW!  Dodged that bullet.  
The rest of the first loop was dedicated to enjoying the ride, the company and 
the beautiful scenery.  

The weather could not have been better, and that just added to the enjoyment. 
  We rode a while with a fellow on a beautiful bay gelding and he was 
complaining about just being stung by the swarm of bees he'd just ridden through.  
HHmmmm, that's what I forgot!  My epi-pen for my bee allergy.  God watches over 
fools and idiots, so I'm safe.  We arrived back at camp for the vet check.  
Patti was at the P&R area and motioned me over to check heart rate.  I couldn't 
imagine him being down yet, but I didn't argue (see paragraph one).  To my 
amazement he was down to 52!  On to the vet where I asked him to watch the trot 
out closely after his fall.  He also hasn't been drinking well which is very 
uncharacteristic of Ike, he rarely passes up the opportunity to at least take a 
sip.He has a CRI of 13/14 and all A's on my ride card.  I walked back to my 
pile of stuff for the vet check with my mouth open.  

After Ike drank like a camel and shared his slurpy with my T-shirt I waited 
the 4 extra minutes to leave the vet check so the three of us could ride 
together again.  Once again Ike was in the lead and he left for the second loop 
fresh as a daisy.  Again I was having a ball.  What a beautiful place this was to 
have a ride, and NO BEARS!  We're riding a conservative pace and just enjoying 
the day.  Then we  left the woods, past the ham radio spotter and headed down 
the road.  Once again I will mention that I am a GIGANTIC WEENIE when it 
comes to riding on pavement.  Mark took the lead (bless his heart) and we 
proceeded past the gas storage facility (or some-such-thing) and house with every 
conceivable type of wind powered lawn ornament, mail boxes and some very scary 
landscaping.  Then we came to the bridge.  Not a big deal - if you've done many 
bridges and are not a certified pavement weenie.  Just as we are crossing the 
bridge (and Ike is watching the guard railing closely) we are passed from 
behind by a pickup going about 50 MPH!  Ike held his ground - no closer to that 
scary railing - but didn't jump from the truck.  Not bad for our second bridge 
and first time being passed by a car!  

Then we turned left and started up THE HILL.  It must be said that this "the 
hill" is much longer than the earlier "the hill".  Ike is finally starting to 
feel the rigors of the day. He starts up the hill pretty happily and we 
climb....and climb..and climb, and climb and climb.  I'm amazed how an 11 mile loop 
could be uphill for 13 miles - but that's what I get for feeling smug about 
the first hill...

Ike shifts into low gear and is slow, but steady and we climb and climb.  I 
get off and walk with him until I think my lungs are on fire and we climb.  
With what little breath we have left we start trying the name THE HILL.  The 
first name is not appropriate for mixed company - so I won't repeat it.  The 
second name is "the hill that never ends".  This is certainly appropriate.  We 
finally decide that this is truly the "highway to heaven" because by the time we 
are done climbing we must certainly end up there!  Thank goodness we were going 
UP, I wouldn't have wanted to go that far "down".  I can honestly say that I 
never gave a single thought about a bear on this climb.  I don't know who was 
happier to see the end of the hill - me or Ike.  Bless his little heart, he 
picked up a trot and we moved along as quickly as we could the rest of the ride. 


We got into the vet check for the second time.  I have decided not to elevate 
to the 50 based on the low-gear hill climb.  Again he pulses down on arrival 
to 48.  Talk about slow 25's - my ride time is 4 hrs, 56 minutes.  Off we go 
to the vet and again have all A's with a CRI of 14/16.  He really is a tired 
pony.  I'm so proud of my little guy.  

Saturday night was spent at dinner, awards and a huge bonfire.  What a 
wonderful sport so full of wonderful people.  I poured myself into bed about 9:00 
and just couldn't keep my eyes open one minute longer.  

Did I mention the bear?  Well.... as I'm packing up on Sunday Kathy tells me 
the bear has been in the dumpster not 50 feet from my trailer.  "Oh don't 
worry" she says, "he just sits right there and eats whatever he finds".  OMG 
you've GOT to be kidding!  IF I'd known that I would have wrapped Ike in chain mail 
before going to bed, or maybe pushed him into the trailer to sleep with me. 

I love nature.

Gone riding,
Randi