24th July, 2016.
Day 2.
I awoke after a good long nights’ sleep.
I was thirsty and reached immediately for a bottle of water!
I had turned in early after a good shower and light dinner of a roast beef sandwich (from the Hardee’s establishment literally next door) and was now feeling refreshed and ready for the days’ ride ahead.
As tired and hot as I had been the day before, I was not focussed or motivated enough to make any journal entries.
The breakfast offered was nothing to write home about, the best part of which was Apple Juice that I downed after loading the bike up.
I would try to make it to the Texas state line today. At the very least to Texarkana or beyond.
True to form, as yesterday, the temperatures held high and steady.
More of the same and around a quarter to 8 in the morning I crossed into Tennessee.
The ride through Tennessee presented some very good road surface that made for an exceptionally smooth and relaxing ride as I motored my way along towards Nashville, TN.
As I plied Interstate highway 65 I was eager to put this section of the trip behind me due to the high congestion of the area.
I have come to find out from previous trips that the Louisville to and through the Nashville urban areas are some of the most congested in the nation. If I don’t ever have to pass through here on another journey I know exactly what I’ll not be missing!
Time and miles slowly passed.
I was gradually putting distance between myself and the congestion/high population density of the midwest.
I endured this pace and heat as the bike swallowed up the miles and just past midday, the still unbearable heat of the day and heat of the road, radiating up towards me, forced a stop to shed my riding gear.
I was getting dangerously hot. In an effort to “make up” the miles I felt I lost yesterday, I had stayed in the saddle for going on 4+ hours without stopping for a break.
The air/breeze was just as hot. The sky was cloud-laden which made for very hot and humid conditions.
So stripping down to my shorts and T-shirt only, I strapped my gear onto the bike, drank a bottle of water and motored on- reminiscent of my riding garb in West Africa during my teenage years.
I would be crossing into Arkansas pretty soon.
An hour or so later, I forced another stop/break to rehydrate and phoned ahead to my Arkansas-brother Henry.
I wanted to make a point of linking up with him in Benton, AR as I passed through. I had not seen him since our last ride together the previous year.
So I motored along knocking down the miles on the boring but efficient interstate system.
Another hour went by in what seemed to be forever in the blistering heat and in keeping my routine, pulled off the highway again to rehydrate.
I cannot over-emphasize the importance of rehydrating at times like this.
Riding a motorcycle alone, if not even in hot conditions WILL dehydrate you. The constant flow of breeze/wind over you, draws the moisture out of your body. This is manifested in the “cooling effect” you feel when you are moving.
Basically, water is drawn from your body through your sweat pores by the evaporative process of the wind flowing over your skin.
As you tend to lose water, your body salts could resultantly become over-concentrated leading to other possible complications later on in life.
So be sure to drink lots of water and take as many potty breaks as you can.
…………….. and whilst I’m in a lecturing mode, move around as much as yo can when you take a break off the bike. This will aid in blood circulation and help to ward off cramps as well.
Bananas in moderation, are good in this respect.
So regardless of feeling sweaty or not it is imperative that you take-in water (not soda or any other of your favorite beverages) to maintain your body water content and stay healthy.
Something to replenish your electrolytes is also beneficial in between, but not in excess or as a substitute for plain water.
Your vision, balance and function of your body organs will benefit greatly and fatigue is warded off greatly.
As a “Long Rider” I have come to make this a priority on every trip.
At my next break and now much closer to Benton, AR I phoned Henry again, this time for specific directions/address to his place.
He directed me to his new home and asked me to wait for him as he would be arriving much later than I would get there. He had to pick up a riding mower/tractor he needed.
It was still hot and he gave me access to his cool home, out of the heat of the day whilst I waited for him.
It was good to see Henry again and after I helped him unload the mower from the back of his pickup truck, we spent some quality time chatting the heat of the day away.
All too soon as the heat of the day began to subside with the now approaching end of the afternoon, I had to leave, if I was to make it to Texarkana today - although he preferred me to stay and spend the night. At this point in time I would have to journey on if I was to make it to Corpus as scheduled and in time for Wedding preparations/duties.
As I approached Texas I observed much more cloud activity in the air as the skies began to darken.
“Oh-Oh, storm clouds a-gathering”!
Not long after that thought, the clouds let loose and a scattered shower welcomed me right as I arrived at the state line.
Arriving in Texarkana sometime after dark, I found a motel, checked in for the night, unpacked my luggage, went out to buy some dinner (the chicken was really great), showered and went directly to bed.