Today’s route is one I have been avoiding since January 28th of this year, the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route. The last time rode to the Grand Parkway FM1314 construction I noticed that traffic was not heavy coming from the west and the closed lanes looked like they only had some construction materials in the pavement. This emboldened me to try this route again today after almost 5 months. The ride totaled 37.7 miles, about 2 miles more than the last time partly because I wasn’t paying attention at the start and rode down the wrong street. Realizing my mistake I turned around and got back on the route.
My plan was to wait for a break in the traffic and ride on narrow lane past the construction. Approaching the area I rode to the right of the plastic barrels marking the left side of the closed lanes. When I got to the decision spot of riding through the work zone or the narrow lane I had to take the narrow lane because a front end loader was moving things around where I would need to ride. If the front end loader had not been there it would be an easy ride past the overpass construction. The narrow lane was about 700 feet long to get past the concrete barriers and then I could move right into the east side of the construction and the plastic barrels. I waited until there was a break in traffic and started riding as fast as I could. About half way through a car caught up with me but slowed until I got past the barrier and moved behind the barrels. All went well. I don’t know if I will ride this route again soon but I think I can get through the work zone.
I started later than usual (12:04) because of a dermatologist appointment. With all of the outside riding I think it is important to get checkups every 6 months. Sun screen and clothing only protect so much. With this later start it had time to heat up to 92 degrees, 106 heat index and 62% humidity (my home weather station). At first I thought this would be hot but riding with the wind moving over me and some tree shade off and on for the first 5 miles it wasn’t so hot. I normally don’t mind the heat but something about starting at noon made it seem hotter than it turned out to feel.
With the heat I made a stop at the Timewise station in New Caney for ice and water. This would need to go until I got the either the Shell station at Gene Campbell road and FM1314 or the Stripes station at Valley Ranch and FM1314. Riding northwest on FM1485 to Gene Campbell Road was uneventful with the wind not slowing me down. Once I turned west onto Gene Campbell Road the wind was more of a hindrance but I still kept a good pace. My average speed was up to 15.0 mph and by the time I got to FM1314 it was 15.1 mph. I skipped the Shell station and rolled onto the construction zone and then the Stripes station. The wind was now a headwind and I struggled to keep my speed at 17 mph or above. Even with this I did manage to improve my average speed to 15.2 mph by the time I got to Stripes.
Stripes was 26.5 miles into the ride so I took a break. The ice machine above the Gatorade fountain dispenser was broke but the next dispenser was working. I figured the Gatorade would come out warm so I got extra ice in the cup. It was warm the extra ice cooled it down. Sitting outside in the shade the breeze that was a problem getting there was now a cooling one. After a 30 minute or so rest I got back on the Stradalli but waited in the shade until a couple of cars pulled up to the light to cross FM1314 because me and the bike will not trip it. Earlier at the Gene Campbell FM1314 intersection the light wouldn’t trip even with a car in front of me and an 18 wheeler behind me. After 3 or 4 cycles for the east bound left turn traffic it finally tripped for us.The car in front of me must not have been in the electronic eye field and the truck behind me was not in it either. I moved closer to the car a couple of times and the 18 wheeler moved too. That might’ve caused it to change.
The ride home from Stripes was about 11 miles on mostly back roads and streets. It has been awhile since I rode them in this direction. I was back home at 3:25. The temperature was 95 degrees, 58% humidity, 111 heat index. wind was from the SSW at 4 mph.
The star washer on the rear axle worked. I did need to adjust the tightness by another quarter turn three rides ago but since then the wheel is in the center of the chain stays and not slipping sideways. My Father’s Day present DT Swiss RWS skewer arrived Saturday and is waiting to be placed into service.
Tomorrow’s weather looks to be a repeat of today. I should start earlier than today.
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