Sometimes plans don’t work out the way you expect. I didn’t start today’s bike ride quite as early as I want leaving at 8:22 am on the “Atascocita – Huffman – Walden” route. I wanted to ride at least 29 miles to get 200+ miles for the week. This part of the plan worked out with 32.58 miles setting the week at 204.5 miles. This is the seventh week in a row of 200+ miles. August now stands at 785.64 miles just 15 miles short of my 800 mile goal.
Weather during the bike ride:start 77 (92% humidity), a few clouds, wind calm. Finish 95 (55% humidity), partly cloudy, wind calm.
Leaving around 8 am on Saturday positions me on the east side of Lake Houston to see the Bike Barn riders returning from their loop. 22 minutes later means some riders have passed where I join their path at FM 1960 and Atascocita Shores Drive. This morning as I was standing at the traffic light at that intersection I saw bikers approaching from the east. Moving over to the grass on the left I took these photos. Everyone didn’t go to the Hotter’n Hell 100 in Wichita Falls.
When the light changed I walked across FM 1960 and waited on an opening in the traffic to ride east. Over the lake I saw a few cyclists and then a big group near the east side of the lake. I wondered if the group was the last ones but arriving on Fairlake Drive it wasn’t long before more bicyclists appeared.
Again I suspected that was all of the bikers but on Old Atascocita Road more came from the east.
Not expecting any more I rode east to FM 2100 but a couple of cyclists were east of FM 2100. I continued about a mile east to add to the ride distance. Almost at FM 2100 another cyclist passed going east and I made the turn north to Huffman. I stopped at the Huffman Chevron for water and ice before riding west. All was going well.
Near the west side of the lake I started think my rear tire was soft. I stopped at the traffic light to wait my turn. Riding south on Atascocita Shores Drive the soft tire seemed to get worse and I pulled into the park to check it out. It was almost flat. Sitting down on the curb in the shade I inspected the tire to see if I could find the cause. All I could find was a tiny piece of glass stuck in the tire that might have been bigger but worn down from riding. Removing the tube I pumped it up and found the leak, right between two patches from previous flats. Concerned that another patch wouldn’t work I got my spare tube out and put it in the tire, mounted the tire and starting pumping. Nothing happened, the tire didn’t inflate. Removing the tube I found a hole where the valve stem attaches to the tube. This can’t be patched so I was back to the original tube. Sanding the area where the hole was I applied glue. It only took a few seconds and the glue was dry because of the heat. I applied the patch, pressed it firmly and aired it up to check my work. Hanging the tube on the handlebars I walked to the pool to throw away the other tube. When I got back I was encouraged by the tube still holding air. Back in the tire and mounted I pumped it up. Thankfully the tire got firm and I put it back on the Canyon bike. This was 22 miles into the bike ride with 10 miles to go. Back on the bike I started riding through Walden across FM 1960 and into Atascocita. The tire felt hard when I went over bumps so I thought I would make it home without further problems.
Back in Kingwood I finished the ride at 11:39 am about 40 minutes later than planned. So much for plans.
With 200+ miles for the week Sunday will be a rest day. Monday I should surpass my August goal.
SportTracks Bike Ride Summary
