Rough Stretch of Road Bike Ride
The TdF was on a rest day so I thought I would get an early start on today’s ride but I didn’t make it. I left home at 11:32 to ride the “SR242 – Old Houston Rd – FM1314” route. I first thought I would ride a longer version of this route but i changed my mind and rode 43.50 miles. The weather was hot again: 94 degrees, scattered clouds and the wind from the south at 14 mph. The wind was big help riding to SH 242 and most of the way to Old Houston Road. Once I turned onto Old Houston Road it was in my face and causing the pedaling effort to increase quite a bit.
There was a quick stop at the Chevron station at FM1485 and SH 242 for ice and water. As I rode away from the station on SH 242 I saw a big flashing sign warning of lane closures at night> I wasn’t sure what work was going on but shortly I saw the shoulder and the west bound lane showed signs of grinding the old asphalt up. The surface got real rough with me bumping along until Old Houston Road. Once I was on Old Houston Road I wondered which was worse, the rough road or the strong wind blowing in my face. The hot wind did try to dry the sweat. Not long after I was riding on Old Houston Road a pickup stopped in front and the lady rolled her window down to ask if I was doing okay. I said I was doing great and she drove on.
I stopped at the Shell Station at Cumberland for a rest break and to refill my water bottle. Before I went inside I took a picture of my Elemnt screen. Later I took shots of the weather.
After a 35 minute or so rest I was back on the bike riding the last 14+ miles home. I got there at 3:19.
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