I surprised myself by starting today’s bike ride at 8:34 am. If I started early I would have time to watch the replay of the Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian on www.cycling.tv after the ride. I chose the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route with the hope of seeing other area cyclists along the route once I got to Atascocita. The first cyclist appeared at the corner of Kings River Drive and W. Lake Houston Parkway so my plan looked good because I usually see more by the time I get to this spot. A few miles later I saw a lady cyclist after I rode through Walden and on the way to FM 1960. At one corner I saw a sign stuck in the ground with the Tour de Cure logo and “100” with an arrow. At another corner a sign said “rest stop 1 mile”. I wasn’t aware of the Tour de Cure being this weekend.

After I reached FM 1960 and started biking east over Lake Houston the cyclists started to appear. I estimate between 30 to 40 passed me between Atascocita Shores Drive and FM 2100. They were in groups of 2 to 8 or so. I didn’t try to take any photos but I waved and said hello to each biker as they passed me. Some responded and some didn’t.

At 20.4 miles I stopped at the Huffman Chevron to refill my water bottle with ice and water. I only stayed a few minutes and headed west on FM 1960. Up to that point the wind had not been tough but that changed coming from the west at 9 mph with 17 mph gusts. When I got to Fairlake Drive a few more cyclists crossed FM 1960 ahead of me and I followed them. About a third of the way over the causeway I caught and passed two cyclists saying hi as I went by. Ahead I saw a cyclist standing with his bike on the ground and the wheel in his hands. I slowed to ask if he was okay and he said he was. I kept riding working hard to regain my speed with the headwind fighting me. Making the right turn onto Atascocita Shires Drive two more cyclists were there. That was the last riders I saw until I was on W. Lake Houston Parkway about to come off the bridge over the river when I checked my rearview mirror before moving to the left and saw four cyclists coming up to me from behind. Not long after that they passed me with an “on your left” announcement and I slowed to get room to move to the left lane and turn into Kingwood Greens. From there no more cyclists to the finish of the ride at 11:00 am.

With today’s ride of 32.6 miles I am at 177.7 miles for the week and 847 miles for the month. Checking the National Bike Challenge standings I am 2nd in Houston, 67th in Texas and 1,167 nationally. The last two are a slight improvement from last week.

More hot and dry July weather tomorrow (Sunday) and I will plan on biking with the hope of riding 24 miles or more to hit 200+ for the week.

Link to RideWithGPS.com map and metrics

Strava ride summary (click on the image to go to Strava.com)