In order to make up the missed bike ride on Monday I searched SportTracks for a route I haven’t done in awhile. I found the “FM1485 – Old Houston Rd – FM1314” route that is a take off from my “New Caney – Gene Campbell Blvd” route but longer miles. According to SportTracks I biked this route once before on November 13th, 2020. That ride was 41.41 miles which would accomplish my goal of making up for Monday. Back to back 40+ mile rides is not my typical weekday activity but I plan on riding 40+ tomorrow too.

I didn’t get to start as early as I wanted but my Lynskey Helix bike and I rolled away at 9:01 AM. Finishing mid day is best with the hot weather we are having. The route goes north through Porter to New Caney, NW on FM 1485 passing Gene Campbell Blvd. to SH 242 where I would ride to the west to Old Houston Road. Old Houston Road would take me to FM 1314. AT FM 1314 the ride heads SE back towards Porter, onto Old Sorters Road through Briar Tree, Oakhurst and back to Kingwood. When I got to SH 242 I had to alter the route due to construction on SH 242 so I continued on FM 1485 to the junction with FM 3083 and Old Houston Road. Road construction on Old Houston Road moved from new to old road surfaces without a shoulder but the traffic was light to SH 242. Crossing SH 242 Old Houston Road took me to Village Way where I turned right and rode to FM 1314. With the change in the route the mileage turned out to be 44.83 and I finished at 12:55 PM. Now that I know the road construction status I would ride this revised route again.

With two rides for the week my mileage stands at 87.19. June now totals 488.32 miles.

Weather conditions: start 84 (humidity 78%, dew point 77), mostly cloudy, wind S 7 mph; finish 93 (humidity 55%, dew point 74), mostly cloudy, wind S 7 mph gusts 17 mph.

AXS.SRAM.com ride report: 30 RD shifts during the moving time of 3:28:24. I used the 33×13 gears for 2:34:21 of that time riding 36.5 miles. I need to adjust the gear choices a little to get closer to the Cervelo’s. The 17 mph wind gusts were hard using the 33×13 but my legs powered on.

Early in the ride on a street I know well I thought a pinch flat would result when I hit a sharp edge of concrete in the street. The Alpha 46 rim bottomed out on impact but the tube and tire survived without going flat. Normally I avoid this spot going around to the left.