What more could I ask for? What a fantastic day to ride 48.69 miles (longest bike ride so far in May) on the “SR242 – FM1314” route. A bunch of things lined up: a rest day for the Giro d’Italia so no need to wait for the stage to finish, fabulous weather, 10:56 am start. The weather during the bike ride: start 85 (62% humidity), a few clouds, wind NW 5 mph. Finish 91 (44% humidity), a few clouds, wind W 7 mph. I wore shorts and a short sleeve jersey. I actually got to sweat some during the ride.
With the light breeze I made great time up I-69/US59 to SH 242 for the turn to the west. About 2/10 of mile west I stopped to take these photos of the construction work on Grand Texas. I am not sure what is first but the website sorts that out.
Pardon my finger sticking into the second photo. The first photo is parking I believe and the second is Big Rivers Waterpark, I think. Not sure when this will open but once it does traffic on SH 242 will increase. I recently read Montgomery County is planning on widening SH 242 from FM 1314 to I-69/US59.
After taking the photos I got back on the Canyon Endurace CF SLX and rode west on SH 242. The road has a shoulder and it is usually wide except where a center turn lane has been inserted. Enjoying the sun, temperature and light breeze I improved my average speed along the route. Stopping at the Chevron station at FM 1485 for a few minutes I ate a couple of granola bars and drank water. Refilling the bottle I was back on SH 242 to continue to FM 1314 and turn to the southeast. This would put the wind coming from behind which is not normal.
On FM 1314 I was making great time until around the 29.2 mile point. A large brown dog came racing out of a yard, under the fence and up the slight embankment to the shoulder barking and growling. Another black dog, somewhat smaller but no less barking and growling, was not far behind. You can see the spike in speed in the bike ride summary chart below because that is what I did, out run them. As I sped up the brown dog was about 2 feet to the right running about the same as I rode but when I went faster they faded and gave up. All the times I biked on FM 1314 this is the first dog sprint. I don’t know if the dogs will be there the next time but I will be more watchful.
I made it to the Valero station at Sorters Road and FM 1314 and stopped to take a break. Another pair of granola bars and water. This is the screen shot of the ride up to that point.
This is the maximum average speed for the ride. I was there for about 20 minutes. Somewhat rested I was ready to ride the 12+ miles to the finish.
Good timing put in front of the school traffic at the four schools between the Valero station and the finish back in Kingwood. I saw another cyclist in Briar Tree as we passed going opposite directions in front of Ben’s Branch Elementary school and we exchanged waves and hi.
I continued with good leg power through Oakhurst, Kingwood Place, Kings Manor and into Kingwood finishing at 2:45 pm.
More great weather on tap for Tuesday. I plan on taking it in on the Canyon bike.
SportTracks Bike Ride Summary
