The weather forecast said 50% chance of rain but the sky said let’s ride. After two wet days this week I thought the forecast might be accurate but it turned out not so. So at 9:56 AM I rolled out the driveway to start the north and west route up US59 to SR242 and west to FM1314. The pleasant 76 degree temperature at the start definitely felt fall like and when I got back home at 1:30 the 87 degrees still felt like fall.

When I stopped at the Start Stop Exxon station in Porter at the 36 mile point in the ride sitting in the shade felt cool as the light breeze blew over my soaked shorts and jersey. I wrung out my wrist bands two times during the ride so the coolness did not stop or slow down the perspiration. While I drank my Diet Pepsi at the Star Stop I gazed at the big fluffy clouds in the sky to the north. The many shapes floating by reminded me of a fall day.

Today’s route totaled 45.31 miles. With the light breeze and cool temperature my average speed came in at 16.1 mph with a max speed of 21.8 mph. Average cadence was 81.8 RPM. The three stops on the route accounted for the 45:27 not moving while the riding took 2:49:17. Two stops got rid of extra perspiration with the last stop in Porter a true rest stop. When I resumed the ride in Porter heading south on the US59 service road the warm air and sun felt good after sitting in the shade for a while.

Today’s ride put me over the 5,000 mile mark for the year at 5024.14 miles. I never reached this point so early in the year. September miles total 306.88 and this week stands at 160.15 miles. I am not sure I will ride tomorrow with a 60% chance of rain in the forecast.

Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com.

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