Another Hot July Bike Ride
I biked the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route for a total of 35.58 miles today. Leaving home at 11:46 I rode north to FM1485 with the help of a weak tailwind. The July heat continues with 94 degrees at the start and 98 degrees when I finished at 2:58. The wind was light and friendly for most of the ride. In New Caney I stopped a the new Shell station for ice before riding west on FM1485. This was the first time I stopped there. They were nice. I was going to get water too but they did not have a water spigot out front.
The ride from there went smoothly. Gene Campbell Road has some spots that will need to be repaired soon from all of the truck traffic. Cars and trucks probably don’t feel the undulations like I do on the bike.
Pulling into the Cumberland Shell station for a break around 1:18 was good timing. I was at the 21.7 mile point. Gatorade and snacks refreshed me for the 14+ mile ride home. As I was standing by the pumps to snap a picture of the ride data a man walked over from the pickup truck beside me. I thought he would say hello and walk to the store but instead he asked if I was watching the TdF. I said yes and we talked about today’s time trial. He asked me what happened in yesterday’s stage with the crash and if Chris Froome was in the yellow jersey. I explained that he was and how his time was adjusted after the crash. He thanked me and wished me a safe ride as he walked to the store. I was really surprised to have that conversation out in the country west of Porter, TX.
I was back biking around 1:58 refreshed and aided by the wind to ride to Old Sorters Road where I turned south into the wind and the pedaling required more effort. Winding through Briar Tree and Oakhurst I was able to maintain the 14.9 mph average speed until I reached the I-69/US59 service road. At that point stopping and starting increased and my average speed slowly declined until I finished the ride.
Where I stand for the month of July:
- biked 13 out of 15 days
- 490 miles towards my 765 mile goal
- 197 miles this week
- 4526 miles year to date
[iframe http://rwgps-embeds.com/trips/9966170/embed 600px 600px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/642006500/embed/37a14e7bac08ec261f3148b805cd7dfa9cc1ca01 590px 405px]
Home Weather Station at the end of the ride