Sunday, July 21 2019
Alberto writes:
Lakeview, Oregon
So, we departed near-Boise by way of highway 20 heading to Burn, Idaho. We are ready! Next is highway 395 into California-Nevada and Gardnerville.
We had other plans (like Ashland, Oregon), but the pull-home is strong. One more friend/family to visit and that’s it! Home-bound.
I am an idiot! I purchased a “cooling vest” and did not use it. Today it was 95°F - what a fool! Tomorrow, I’ll try. Just checked the temperature go Reno… 97°
That’s it.
Monday, July 22 2019
Gardnerville, NV
You people have no idea what being pampered is about. Elizabeth, a pseudo mom for Laura, right off the bat started with offerings of comfort.
“You can go and take a showered, if you wish”. Wow Nelly! I said. “Shower only once every six months, even if I don’t needed!” So the beers came out. Good enough for me.
a relative like this, everybody should have one just like it. When the pampering started, it was to the max! With 100°F, with 271 miles behind us (in similar weather), we are beat! And I could use all the catering offered.
Enough of the bragging.
You all may have noticed. I am only a skip and a hop to home. Sorry to end the trip and at the same time ready to go home. Bittersweet emotion.
See you all, yes! Sunday,
Tuesday, July 23 2019
CLOSING STATEMENT
No report is worth a darn if you do not learn something by reading it. So here is my lesson-sharing.
A COOLING-VEST… is this worth it?
I had made reference to purchasing a cooling vest”, which I was hesitant to use. After all immersing the vest in water, putting it on, and getting myself soaked from the wet-vest was not a prospect to look forward.
The day before, I had immersed in water and stuff the wet-vest in a plastic bag “ready for use”. Thinking tomorrow would be a hot day. I was a hot day, but I chickened out. Did not use it. But there it was … ready for use, and I forgot all about it.
Descending from Gardnerville to San José, the day started with rain (go figure, rain in late July!). The temperature, in one hour, rose from a comfortable 72°F to 84° and the weather app called for 90° plus.
By the time we reached Jackson (highway 88) the temperature had risen to 92°. This is it! Reached for the plastic bag were I had stuffed the wet-vest and, with concern, slap it on.
Holly Smokes!! What a difference. It was instantaneous!
- The vest lowered my core temperature to a very comfortable 74°
- No, I did not “get wet” from the water the vest retained.
- The vest retained its ability to cool me, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm easily, making the crossing of the California Central Valley and into San José easily. By the time I reached home it was still performing, cooling me.
I recommend owning this equipment for any ride when you know the temperature will rise to 82° to 85°, or higher, during that day.
I purchased the cooling-vest at Cycle Gear. It was on sale, if memory serves me, for $41 bucks. The brand Sedicci.
Qualification, I don’t know if a “snug-fit” is better than loosely fitting. My vest has an elastic on the sides and I opted for a snug fit, but the salesperson was at first pushing for a slightly larger vest. I am happy with my choice.
That’s it.
Summary: you don’t get one - you are a fool.