Today’s route was influenced by my recent experience with the chip’n seal on FM1314. So I rode a route I don’t normally take going north of Splendora and then some back roads off of Fostoria Road. I have have been on this route probably 6 or 7 times and never had any dog problems. This year must be the year of the dog because I had to work through what I call a “dual dog” sprint. This is where one dog chases me and then just when I think I have out run him another dog takes over. The first dog as not real large but he had a nasty bark and look. The second dog was leaner and slightly bigger and had a real thirst for biting me. My maximum speed today was 24.2 mph and it must have been when I was sprinting with dog number 2. I did survive these two but I am beginning to wonder about the dogs’ gossip must be going around about me.

Weather wise today the clouds were a thick overcast when I started and could have dropped some rain with not too much effort. North of Porter the shoulder was damp from an earlier rain that did not make it south enough to my home. As the ride progressed the clouds thinned somewhat but never enough to get full sunshine. I used sun screen just in case and this was a good idea even with the light sun. Wind was great for the first 37 miles or so until I turned back to the south. There was a 16 mph southeast wind with 22 mph gusts. Temperature was in the mid-80’s which was comfortable except for the high humidity.

A group of riders passed me in the opposite direction on FM2090. There were 6 or 7 in the group. When I was at the Valero station on FM1314 a man asked if I was part of the Ironman bikers from The Woodlands. He said the athletes were so many that he had to stop working and come home. I told him I was not serious enough to do the Ironman.

This week I received a sample Polar water bottle. According to the literature the bottle is of a softer plastic and has better insulation. I used it for today’s ride. The plastic is softer and the ice lasted between stops. The valve worked smoothly but I prefer the CamelBak valve. It is larger capacity than the CamelBak so I will probably use it for longer rides.

I am moving to my May mileage goal of 650. So far May miles are at 450.51 and year to date miles are 1953.18. Today’s average speed was 15.3 mph. Average cadence was 78.8 rpm which is low for the average speed I had. Tomorrow I will have to ride after lunch. The temperature is supposed to hit 92 then.

5-21-2011 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

5-21-2011 Home Weather Finish

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