The plan to leave at 6:15 AM did not happen. Instead I left at 7:25 AM but as things unfolded I should have stuck to my plan. I did go on the route I had planned. At about 21.7 miles I stopped at a Shell station at FM1485 and SR242. While I was cooling down (the perspiration was pouring off of me) an older man with a straw hat and a gray haired ponytail riding a Trek 7200 Hybrid came over and we talked about riding for awhile. He told me that when his vehicles give out or blow up he relies on his bicycle. We talked about the pinch flats we have had and the merits of wide tires versus narrow tires. I did not ask his name but he said he lived down the road about a mile. One story he told me was when he took an engine head from one of his blown up trucks, put it a baby carrier on the back of his bike and rode to the repair shop. This is one use I had not thought of. The Trek 7200 was in good shape; he bought it at a yard sale in Cleveland I think. After about 15 minutes I was back on the road and I passed him further east on FM1485 here he was talking to man about a truck for sale. We waved to each other.
Off in the distance I had noticed some dark clouds forming to the south. I was thinking they were far enough away that I could go down Gene Campbell Road and miss them. Wrong. As I rode west on Gene Campbell Road I saw the rain in the distance as a large Wal-Mart 18-wheeler was coming my way. This is not good because there are not many places to get shelter. Before I could get to shelter the rain was upon me. I turned on a side road that I had not been on before with several businesses and looked for someplace to go. The first few buildings were all fenced and locked due to the holiday. Finally I noticed an overhang on the Fastorq building that offered some shelter but not a lot. I pulled close to the fence and dodged most of the rain. Later I found out if I had went around the corner of the next street there was a big drive though porch I could have went under. By now I was pretty soaked so when the rain slowed down I left and headed to FM1314. By the time I got there the roads were starting to dry off in places. I headed southeast to the Valero station for a Diet Pepsi and some chips. When I got there I realized how wet I was when I stood off of the bike and noticed the puddle of water gathering under me. The paper towels helped some but they were soaked quickly. This is when I saw all of the road grit I had accumulated. To top it off this was my first ride with my ne Diadora Speedracer Cabon shoes.
After I finished the Diet Pepsi and the chips I took off to go home where I landed somewhat drier. The clouds had thinned and the wind was not much. The intermittent sun was starting to dry some of me out. The 89 degrees was nice. After I shed the shoes and bandanna I washed down the bike. Later I would wax the chain.
The afternoon was spent watching stage 2 of the Tour de France. They had some rain issues as well.
Today’s ride statistics:
- miles = 47.11
- riding time = 3:07:18
- average pace = 3:59 min/mile
- average speed = 15.1 mph
- max speed = 23.5 mph
- average cadence = 80.1 rpm
- max cadence = 103 rpm
- climb 218 ft., descend 166 ft., max elevation 127 ft.
- July miles 79.41
- YTD miles 2646.06
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