I had two goals for biking today: go at least 25 miles and keep me loose for the Hotter’N Hell Hundred on Saturday. I accomplished the first by biking 29.38 miles and the second by riding. I rode to Huffman on the shorter route skipping the Walden leg. Starting at 1:39 in the afternoon was kinda like riding in a convection oven. It was 96 degrees with a 107 heat index. The wind was out of the SW which usually heats things up with no moisture from the gulf. I didn’t think it was that windy but the IAH airport reported 12 mph with 17 mph gusts. My perspiration also confirmed the heat. I had my head scarf pulled down too far on my forehead and sweat ran down on my glasses aggravating my nose. I kept trying to wipe it away but to no avail until I stopped at the Huffman Chevron (why not?) and wiped the sweat off and cleaned my glasses. I adjusted the head scarf and had no problem the rest of the ride. I thought pulling down a little further would help; so much for that theory.

The legs feel ready for 75 miles on Saturday. I got a taste of riding into the wind going back home over Lake Houston. I was going into the SW wind but still managed to keep my speed above 15 mph.

Riding the 29.38 miles today means I should go over 200 miles for the week after biking 75 miles on Saturday. I am thinking of biking 20 miles or so on Sunday before we leave for home. It should be cooler in the morning. Several times over the years the day after the HHH welcomes a cool front. One year the high for Sunday was in the 50’s or 60’s. I was watching a criterium in downtown Wichita Falls and had to bundle up to keep warm.

After today’s ride I washed the Stradalli so it will be presentable at the start on Saturday. I squeezed the tires and they feel hard so I didn’t add any air.

Today’s ride metrics:

8-21-2014 Ride Metrics (Golden Cheetah)

A comparison of rides on the same route this year:

8-21-2014 Atascocita-Huffman Ride Comparison

Mileage standings:

• 140.71 miles
• 721.74 miles for August (123 miles left to reach the August goal of 845 miles)
• 4934 miles for the year

Link to RideWithGPS.com

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