Thunder and Lightning Near the Ride’s End
After riding to Huffman yesterday I was off to the north for today’s ride on the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route. I got started before 10AM again leaving home at 9:55. I could see some darker clouds to the southeast so I was glad to ride north. We are under another heat advisory today with the heat index over 100 to 110. When I started the temperature was 91 at my home weather station and the heat index was 112 already. I am not a weather geek but I think the heat index is derived from the temperature and dew point.
In order to get 34+ miles I added a few extra streets to the beginning going through Sherwood Trails and Elm Grove villages. Riding through Woodridge Forest past the new middle school the workers were putting the final touches on the outside. Students are supposed to arrive on September 2nd. A number of houses are under construction in Woodridge Forest with concrete trucks pouring foundations and driveways.
Exiting Adams Street and on to the US59 north service road I had some help from a slight tailwind. On the service road to Porter and then Loop 494 to New Caney I also took advantage of the tailwind. I was able to make up some time to get my average speed above 15 mph. When I turned onto FM1485 the wind was still somewhat favorable so I was wondering if I would have a headwind during the ride. I didn’t have to worry. On FM1314 riding to Porter the wind was in my face but I still was able to keep my speed up to 17 or 18 mph. Over the 35.89 mile long route I averaged 15.4 mph.
On FM1314 east of Ferne Street I stopped and took a few pictures of the Grand Parkway right away clearing work.
I stopped at the Stripes station on FM1314 west of Porter to drink and eat. While I was resting I saw the sky was dark to the east. At one point I saw a bolt of lightning off in the distance and hear thunder. Checking my phone I saw the dark rain cloud was east and north of Porter and I could bike home without getting in it. I shortened my stay at Stripes a little to lessen the chance of riding in the rain. The sun was out as I rode through Briar Tree and Oakhurst. When I got to the Kingwood Drive u-turn under US59 I glanced at the sky to the east. It was dark and I hoped it was further east from my home. As I went through Kingwood to home the streets were dry until I turned onto my street. I could see the damp pavement near the gutter but the rest of the street was dry. Pulling into my driveway I saw the low spot was wet up by the garage but other than sweat the rain did not happen. My home weather station showed .02″ of rain. The temperature was 88 degrees which was a little below what it was at the start.
Saturday forecast for the HHH in Wichita Falls: 102 degrees and clear sky. Wind is 10 mph from the south. This will make the last 25 miles tough.
Where I stand:
- 111.33 miles for the week
- 692.35 miles for the month (153 miles left to reach my 845 mile goal)
- 4905 miles year to date
Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS. Click on the image to enlarge.
