Yesterday there were numerous places that recorded 110 degree temperatures. One of those was Wichita Falls. If you were expecting another cool ride this year it looks like you can forget that. The Hotter’n Hell Hundred will probably regain it’s name this year. In light of these temperatures I have been riding earlier in the day but late enough to avoid the morning traffic. Today it was 83 degrees when I left at 8:58 and when I finished at 10:53 it was 91 degrees. I don’t know if it is normal but when I rode past the Kingwood Park and New Caney High Schools the marching bands were practicing in the parking lots. It times past I think they practiced in the evening. There does not appear to any relief in the coming week or so. As much as I sweat when riding you would think I would make a dent in the drought but not so. When I am riding I like to look at the license plates on vehicles and sometimes I see something different. Today I saw a SUV with an Hawaii license plate. My first thought was did they drive here or take a ship?

I have not commented on my Diadora shoes in a while so I need to mention that I really like the ratchet closure on the straps. I used to never have the tension right on my shoes with the Velcro straps but now as I ride I can reach down and flick the lever once to adjust the straps. I find that what is snug at the start is not enough as I ride. I usually adjust them two or threes times during the ride. This will be a must have on any future shoe purchases.

Clear skies give you no where to hide from the sun. There are a lot of trees around here so there is some shade but the drought is starting to take a toll on some of them. The light 9 mph SSW breeze helped at times but the best was the ice water in my water bottle. Thankfully the convenience stores are generous with their ice. Today I rode 27.24 miles, slightly less than yesterday but this still puts the weekly total at 98.86 miles, the August miles are the same and the year to date miles are 3537.51. My average speed was 14.9 mph and the max was 22.6 mph and the average cadence was 79.7 RPM.

83-2011 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

8-3-2011 Home Weather Finish

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