I made a mistake before starting today’s bike ride: eating a oatmeal raisin cookie. The result was an upset stomach for about 9 miles and maybe longer. I usually eat something before leaving a on ride and didn’t think today would be different but for some reason it was. I tried drinking water to dilute the sugar in my stomach and that may have helped. I remember reading that too much sugar intake during exercise may upset your stomach and I have to agree. Next time I will probably eat a banana.

Starting out at 10:10 am on the “SR242 – Old Houston Rd – FM1314” route the plan was to bicycle at least 40 miles and I accomplished that by riding 44.16 miles. This pushes June to 345.75 miles, 43% of my 800 mile goal.

The weather during the bike ride: start 88 (65% humidity), mostly cloudy, wind S 14 mph, gusts 21 mph. Finish 95 (47% humidity), mostly cloudy, wind S 14 mph, gusts 25 mph.

Wind was a problem after I stopped at the Chevron station on SH 242 at FM 1485. Those gusts bogged my legs down and my speed dropped from 17 to 18 mph to 12 to 14 mph. Sunday was a rest day and I can only imagine how tired my legs would have been in the wind if I hadn’t rested. I stayed at the Chevron station for a few minutes drinking ice water to cool down and rest before tackling the next section to the Valero station on FM 1314 at Sorters Road.

If I thought my legs suffered getting to FM 1314 I was mistaken. My speed dropped more as the wind seemed to send a gust at me whenever I tried to get my speed above 14 mph pushing me back to 13 mph or below. The Valero station finally appeared and I stopped at 12:41 pm planning on 30 minutes of rest. I sat on the bottle water display in the shade and drank water while eating a couple of granola bars. Feeling somewhat refreshed I went inside, refilled my water bottle and went back outside to resume the ride.

The wind was still coming at me as I rode to Old Sorters Road where I turned right and got a short reprieve thanks to the change indirection and some trees. Turning into Briar Tree riding by the schools the wind was back and I slowed down. From there to getting back into Kingwood there were sections of headwind and a few tailwind relief. My water was getting low as I entered the last mile and I was glad to finish at 2:13 pm and drink the last of the water leaving a little ice.

More of the same weather on Tuesday but maybe the wind will drop down some.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary