The road to Hell is paved with good intentions!

[TexasProgresive]

Yesterday was supposed to be a rest day. But I took a little Sunday ride on the mountain bike. There is a dead end gravel road that breaks off of my road that I never tried. So I turned left. It is fairly smooth and went on for about 1/2 mile where it ends in 3 gates. My total ride was 30 minutes and ran about 4.5 miles. A couple of hours later we drove into town for the mandatory Father's day dinner. I chose Tex-Mex.

I had every intention of riding about 16 miles this morning. My morning sugar was OK after eating such a carb (and fat) rich diet at 105. I ate a light breakfast adjusted the cleat on my left shoe and rolled out the gate.

It was like lugging a great weight in my belly I managed 8.4 miles, averaging 12.3 MPH with a max speed of 24 MPH. That 24 was on a long down hill with a little wind on my left rear quarter. I did try for 25 but didn't have it in me, or was that it I had it in me, I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

After I put up my gear I usually do a blood pressure check. This morning was no different. WARNING for those with sensitive sensibilities stop here
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Avoid passing gas when doing blood pressure
This really scared me
Systolic 145
Diastolic 128
Pulse 124


I waited a few minutes and did it again
Systolic 126
Diastolic 76
Pulse 90

So my advice is never fart while checking blood pressure. And don't eat a heavy dinner the night before a ride.

[Thor_MN]

1. We had a old Plymouth Valient that would get vapor lock.

It had to rest a few minutes before it would run again too...

[Fumesucker]

2. Check your BP then concentrate on slow deep breathing for five minutes and check again

A conscious slow deep breathing and relaxation exercise lowers my BP and my pulse markedly in just a very few minutes.

Even talking to someone during BP check can drive it up ten points easily.

[happyslug]

3. My Father also told me how high blood pressure kept him out of the Rangers....

One day in Formation, he learned that he had volunteered for the Rangers and his unit was thanking him for volunteering. It was nice to know he had volunteered he did not remember volunteering but if his company commander said he did, the Captain had to be right.

Anyway, the night before he was to take his physical he went out drinking and got drunk. When he took his physical his blood pressure was so high, he was told he should not be in the Army at all. The Rangers sent him back to his unit, where he stayed till he was wounded in Normandy.

Just a story of what can cause high blood pressure.