Tired Legs, Strong Wind Equals Slow Bike Ride
Tired legs and a strong SE 15 mph wind took a toll as I rode the “FM1960 to FM686 – Back” route. As I left home at 11:25 I was hopeful of a bike ride like yesterday but it didn’t take long to see the wind was going to be a problem. It seemed to be a headwind no matter which direction I rode but I think that was my legs not recovered from yesterday. I battled riding east on FM 1960 to FM 686 and the Dayton Food and Fuel store. I stopped there for ice and water and lingered in the shade drinking some of the ice water. A man walked up from his pickup truck and fifth wheel trailer and asked if it was too hot to ride. I said no, not as long as I was moving. He asked if the wind helped and I said yes as long as I was riding west to Huffman.
Getting to the Dayton food and Fuel store wasn’t easy. The wind was from my right front quarter and the “tall” overpass going over the railroad tracks sapped my power. I geared down one rear cog and pedaled to the top thinking I would coast down but the wind was strong up there and I had to pedal down hill. Once I was on the flat road I ramped up my speed to 16 or 17 mph as I rode past a couple of houses where dogs have chased me but they didn’t see me or care. This wasn’t the case on the return trip riding west. Two dogs spotted me and raced parallel to me inside their fence. When they got to the open gate one dog stopped but the other continued running and barking on the outside of the fence jumping over a ditch with ease and not long after darted across FM 1960 towards me. In the past he stayed on the other side of FM 1960 and I didn’t expect this move. Thankfully the wind was at my left rear quarter instead of in my face so I pedaled faster and hit 22 mph. Not long after that the dog gave up and I continued on. So my tired legs got more tired.
Riding into the Huffman Chevron at the 30.4 mile point I needed a rest, water and time to eat some animal crackers I brought along. I sat in the shade and the strong wind that was my enemy now felt good blowing through drying my sweat as I ate. The animal crackers ran out before I wanted them too but it was time to get back on the bike. I refilled my water bottle and got ready to leave. While I was there two Houston Police cruisers pulled in and were having a meeting as I left after the 25 minute rest break.
Bicycling west on FM 1960 was easier than going east and I built my average speed up to 14 mph, pretty low but better than I expected with the wind and tired legs. I finished the ride at 3:01 glad to be back home.
Today’s weather at the start and finish.
[iframe http://rwgps-embeds.com/trips/15283438/embed 90% 700px]
Strava extended statistics
