Today was another ride where I didn’t make up my mind on which route to ride until I reached a point where I had to make the choice. I had two routes in mind: “May Park Community Center – Huffman” and “Kingwood – Hare Cook – Kingwood”. The first one is a shorter route, usually just under 40 miles while the later one is about 45 miles. While I rode I added some side streets in case I chose “May Park Community Center – Huffman” it would be over 40 miles. At FM2100 and Old Atascocita Road the choice was made to ride “May Park Community Center – Huffman”. With the extra streets added today’s ride totaled 42.33 miles.
It was hot as to be expected for July. I began riding at 11:22 and the weather at my home weather station looked like this.
For the first time in 5 or 6 days the overnight low in the Houston area dropped below 80. It was 77 when I sat down at the breakfast table around 7:15. I hoped this would carry over to the ride but it didn’t. I could’ve taken advantage of the few degrees lower but I decided to watch stage 8 of the TdF before riding.
Once I was on the road the ride was much like any other ride. In the past when I rode this route I did not stop at the Huffman Chevron before riding east on FM1960 but today my water bottle was almost empty (21.8 mile point). On a week day I can stop at the May Community Center after riding past Hargrave High School but I wasn’t sure they would be open today. When I got there the parking lot was empty but the gates were open. I was glad I made the stop in Huffman. Leaving the May Community Center I rode west on Wolf Road to FM2100. At FM2100 I stopped at the convenience store and added water and ice to the water bottle. I had ice but no water and it was about 3 miles until the Huffman Chevron.
On Old Atascocita Road I saw two white donkeys in a field to my left. I thought about stopping to take a picture but didn’t. Maybe they will be there on the next ride.
Pulling into the Huffman Chevron at 1:43 the shade and breeze were a relief from the hot sun on the road. I took this picture of the Elemnt screen when I arrive.
This was 30.9 miles into the ride. I was out energy and decided to a 44 oz PowerAde today. This washed down the two food bars I ate and slowed my getting back on the bike to allow a little more rest and time for the sugar to kick in. The weather shots while I was at the Chevron.
Looking at these on my phone I realized the wind was stronger than I thought. Maybe this was because it wasn’t a headwind all the time. Near the end of my stop at the Chevron the wind picked up a little and I turned my back to it. It felt great as it cooled me. I noticed the sky to the southeast was a darker gray and wondered if rain was there. I thought I wouldn’t mind riding home in the rain if it cooled me down but nothing came happened. I rolled out of the Chevron around 2:22 to ride the 11+ miles to home. As I rode over Lake Houston on FM1960 I could see numerous boats out enjoying the water, sun and heat. Later I saw more boats when I was riding north on W. Lake Houston Parkway over the San Jacinto River.
At Kings Harbor I turned behind the buildings lining W. Lake Houston Parkway and rode the streets and greenbelt trail to avoid traffic and find a little shade. Winding through Kingwood I was back home at 3:13. I was tired, soaked with sweat and ready for cool A/C air.
After today’s ride my Stradalli Red Pro 14 bike has 16,005 miles on it. I started riding it in March 2014. I am at 293 miles for July with 765 mile goal.
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