The last I rode on SH 242 the resurfacing wasn’t finished between FM1485 and FM1314 so I used an alternate route today: “SR242 – Old Houston Rd – FM1314” in case it was still not finished. The section from FM1485 to Old Houston Road was nice, new and smooth asphalt all the way with all of the markings in place. The only rough place was turning from SH 242 onto Old Houston Road. I looked west on SH 242 to see if the pavement was done there but I couldn’t tell. At the little bridge west of Old Houston Road the shoulder looked rough when it came to the bridge. I will have to check that out on a later ride. Today’s ride was 45.21 miles making the week’s total 92.5 miles. I need 214 miles to reach my goal for August.

Weather conditions were a little warmer than yesterday and I didn’t ride on any wet roads. I stopped at the Chevron station at the corner of FM1485 and SH 242 to refill my water bottle with ice and water. Before I noticed all of the root beer bottles in the window and took pictures this time.

I couldn’t fit all of the different bottles in one picture without getting too far away. Click on the images to enlarge them. From there I rode to the Cumberland Shell station for a rest break. My legs were tired from battling the wind on FM1314 to the Shell station. My Elmnt screen when I arrived at the station and the weather while I was resting.

Fruit Punch Gatorade washed down the Clif bar and snack crackers. I was soaked with sweat and the paper towels almost fell apart from all the moisture. I was late enough to not worry about school traffic at Cumberland or Briar Tree. I started the ride at 12:16 because I was waiting for the general classification standings for the Vuelta a Espana after a crash within 3 K of the finish. I decided to go ahead and start the ride because it looked like it was going to take awhile to figure out who was where. As I was sitting at the Shell station some dark clouds moved south and to the east. When I started to leave about 3:05 I could see them to the south of where I was heading. I hoped I wouldn’t ride into the rain.

The wind was strong enough to slow me down as I rode towards Old Sorters Road on FM1314. I had built my average speed up to 15.2 mph but it was hard to get back up there with the head wind and my legs were not able to push the pedals harder. The dark clouds stayed away from where I rode in Briar Tree, Oakhurst and Kings Manor keeping the pavement dry. I felt a few stray drops on FM1314 but they didn’t last. Making my way through Kingwood I finished the ride at 4:09 tired legs and all.

Tomorrow’s weather has a 50% chance of rain but I think of it as a 50% of not raining. I want to ride to get closer to my monthly goal.

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