I paid the price today when I rode hard with the tailwind and then ran out of power with the headwind. This took place on the “SR242 – FM1314” route where the tailwind helped me until I reached FM 1314. From there to the end of the bike ride my legs struggled to keep my speed above 15 mph. The wind out of the SSE at 15 mph with 25 mph gusts proved stronger than my ability to pedal through it. At the FM 1314 turn my average speed was 15 mph but slowly deteriorated 14.3 mph at the finish. The ride totaled 47.3 miles.

The ride started slowly as I got ready waiting for some scattered rain clouds to dissipate. I rolled away at 11:20 with some dark clouds to the south making my decision to ride to the north look wise. I felt some stray rain drops until I got to US59 for the ride north to SH 242. From there the sky gradually cleared the dark clouds and the rain no longer threatened. It was 83 at the start and 92 when I finished at 3:06.

At the 35.2 mile point I stopped for a rest break at the Valero station on FM 1314 and Sorters Road. Sitting in the shade drinking ice water from an earlier stop at the Chevron station at FM 1485 and SH 242 revived me and the snack crackers proved enough energy to get me to the finish. I was there about 20 minutes, long enough for my jersey to dry out some and the sweat to stop dripping on the concrete below.

My pace dropped as I rode to the SE into the strong wind but sometimes I got behind a windbreak and increased my pace but I made it, tired legs and all.

Another chance for rain tomorrow but I will ride if possible.

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