Apparently my finger squeeze tire pressure test is not very accurate. Before today’s I ride I went out to the garage to crush some aluminum cans and then check the tires on the Stradalli. I squeezed them and the tires felt solid but I planned on airing them up. I put the airhose on the valve and the pressure gauge bounced to 60 psi or so. Pumping air into the tire I stopped at 110 psi and then squeezed the tire. It was as hard as a rock compared to a little give before adding air. Same for the back tire and now both tires are very firm. Riding over rough pavement has a new meaning. My theory about tightening the valve cores seems to have a leak. I will now check the pressure more often. This might account for my slightly slower riding speed too.
The “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” was the target for today’s ride. The weather was great again with scattered clouds most of the ride but some dark ones when I was going NW from New Caney on FM1485. Earlier when I came to US59 on Knox Drive I noticed the curb area was damp from rain before I got there. At that intersection where the Freeway Truck Sales lot used to be a large crowd was gathered at the front of the building with several Montgomery County Sheriff cars, a Porter VFD truck and other vehicles. I tried to see what was happening but I could not see over the cars.
Biking north to FM1485 went quickly thanks to the tailwind. The ride from US59 to Gene Campbell Road went quickly as well but the ride from FM1485 to FM1314 took more effort as the wind came from my left. When an 18 wheeler passed me I feel the wind disappear for a few seconds and the pedaling was easier. On FM1314 the wind became a headwind from Gene Campbell road to the Stripes station. I tried to take a break at the Cumberland Shell but their fountain machine was out of service. I went next door to Church’s Chicken and got enough ice to cover the 3+ miles to Stripes. Not knowing the stop would be short I took these pictures of the Elemnt screen at the Shell station.
The real rest stop was at the Stripes station at Valley Ranch and FM1314. The wind that slowed my riding became a cooling breeze as I sat under the pump canopy drinking Gatorade and eating. The screen shot when I arrived at Stripes.
After resting and cooling down it was time to get hot and tired again. Rolling out to the traffic light to cross FM1314 I thought I would have some time since the sensor doesn’t trip for bikes but a car pulled up behind me and the light change not long after. The 11+ miles to home started. The wind was not too bad even though the route was mostly south into it. There were enough trees and buildings to break it up some. Winding through Briar Tree, Oakhurst and Kings Manor I was back to Kingwood and arrived home at 2:21, earlier than usual thanks to leaving home at 11:02.
Home weather at the start and finish.
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