After yesterday’s front moved through southeast Texas the sky cleared and the roads dried off from the 1.66″ of rain. The temperature dropped during the front’s passing dropped from 77 to 53 in a little less than an hour. The cooler temperature hung around today with 48 degrees when I got this morning. By the time I left on the ride at 1:02 it was up to 72 but the wind had a chill to it. I countered that by wearing a long sleeve and short sleeve jersey with my shorts. Once I warmed up I didn’t really notice the coolness as much.
While I was waiting for the rain to stop yesterday I took the digital scale out to the garage to weigh my Motobecane 700HT MTB. I always thought it weighted about 23 pounds but the scale showed 32 pounds. No wonder I am not as quick on this bike. Getting it out of the garage I need to lift the front wheel and walk between the two Jeeps. It takes a good tug to get the bike up on the rear wheel. I see why now.
Today I chose the road bike (17 pounds) and noticed the much quicker response. I averaged 15.4 mph at one point ending up at 14.9 mph by the time I got home at 2:50. The route was on roads I normally ride on but this time I shortened the distance to 25.33 miles by turning around at E. Lake Houston Parkway on FM1960 east of the lake. I named this the “Kingwood-E Lake Houston Pkwy” route.
Since I shortened the route I didn’t take a break. I turned around and rode west on FM1960. As I approached Fairlake Drive another biker came across FM1960 to the west bound shoulder. I followed him over the causeway and onto Atascocita Shores Drive. I was about 75 feet behind him all the way until before the stop sign on Atascocita Shores. I waved and turned left while he went straight. He wore a red and black jersey with a SBW logo that I did not recognize.
I got to Kingwood Drive before Kingwood High School lets out but I missed an opening in the traffic and waited 2 or 3 minutes to get across. From there it was smooth riding to home.
I am getting closer to my 2015 goal of 6500 miles. I am up to 6433 miles now. Maybe I will ride again on Friday. Another cold front arrives on Saturday, if the weather gurus are right.
[iframe http://ridewithgps.com/trips/7119005/embed 45% 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/435154066/embed/c996b44fd443641b381409177c9b5a523fc220f0 45% 500px]
