The goal was to ride at least 60 miles today to try to make for the lost days due to the rain. I made it. Today’s route was one I used to ride more often but had to put on the back burner due to construction on FM1314 east of SR 242. I met 5 riders at two places during the ride. The first to riders were at the Shell station where SR242 and FM1485 meet. I did not notice them when I first pulled into the station but one rider walked over and offered me the rest of a cool gallon of water they had left over before they left. I had my camera along today but almost forgot to take a picture as they rode off. The humidity was 97% when I left home and it had not dropped much by this time. Everything I touched got wet. Here is a distant picture of the riders as they head off.
Two bikers who shared their water
The intent was to snap some pictures of another small town I ride through frequently, Grangerland. Last week I wrote about Plum Grove so this week I thought in addition to writing I would include some pictures. When I first start riding seriously my riding buddy, Mark Peterson, and I would stop in Grangerland at the grocery for a rest and a snack. This is the only place I know of that had cheese waffle crackers. This was always a favorite treat when we rode this route. Grangerland is at the intersection of FM3083 and FM2090. Unlike Plum Grove there are several stores, all still open. You can even get you car inspected at an old service station. Down the road towards Conroe are a couple of historical markers that recount the early days when oil was discovered in the area. Some pictures.
Grangerland US Post Office
Car Inspection Station and Grocery
Grangerland looking east on FM3083 - First Baptist Church
After leaving Grangerland and continuing on to the Valero station at Creighton Road I met three riders from The Woodlands resting up before they headed back home. We talked for 15 minutes or so about various biking subjects. Some friends of theirs were riding the RAGBAI and they had called them earlier in the morning to check up on them but they did not answer their phone. Before they left I handed out Texbiker.net business cards. I need all of the readers I can get.
Bikers from The Woodlands
When they left I wiped up some of the moisture off of me and then hit the road. The next stop was the Valero station on FM1314 at Sorters Road for a large Diet Pepsi and some Fibre One bars. I had to ride around the construction area by going on SR242 to Old Houston Road and then to FM1314 where the new 5 land road is almost ready for traffic but is okay for bikers. According to a member of my Sunday School class FM1314 was nothing but a wagon trail back in the 1940’s. It became wider and more busy as the oil fields expanded.
Weather was not a factor in today’s ride other than being very humid. The temperature when I got home was 97 degrees and the wind was a mild 3 to 4 mph. The skies were starting to turn clear and blue. Tomorrow Tropical Depression Bonnie is supposed to start influencing our weather. More rain, I hope not.
Today’s ride statistics:
- miles = 61.20
- riding time = 4:00:59
- average pace = 3:56 min/mile
- average speed = 15.2 mph
- max speed = 20.4 mph
- average cadence = 78.6 rpm
- max cadence = 99 rpm
- climb 222 ft., descend 216 ft., max elevation 202 ft.
- July miles 417.51
- YTD miles 2984.16
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