The summer heat is arriving. It was 82 degrees when I started riding this morning at 9:04 and by the time I finished at 12:41 it increased to 93 degrees. Mostly cloudy skies held the sun back some but I had sweat dripping from my helmet strap not long after I started. The wind was from the SSW at 13 mph and 18 mph gusts. This did not present a problem until I turned onto FM1314 and headed to the southeast. My speed slowed down quite a bit. I check at the 1 hour point and my average was 16.5 mph but thanks to the wind (and the heat too) the overall average speed was 15.4 mph for the 44.27 mile ride. I did take a few minute break on FM1314 just east of Gene Campbell Road to get out of the sun and cool down some.

I have not biked this specific route since March 30th and back then I averaged 15.3 mph.  I did see another bicyclist on SR242 east of FM1485 going the opposite direction. He was down on his aero bars heading into the wind. Going out of Kingwood the “back” way shortened the ride about 3 miles but I was able to keep my speed up by not going through as residential stops. On Loop 494 the wind was at my back and I was able to keep my speed up. The wind was generally friendly until I turned onto FM1314 for the ride back to Porter.

My goal on FM1314 was to get to the Stripes store at Old Sorters Road and FM1314 to take a break in the shade and I made it. Earlier I stopped at a store on SR242 and FM1485 to get ice and water. A man asked how far I planned on riding and when I said 43 to 44 miles he asked if the heat was a problem. I said not as much as the wind. He wished me luck as I went back out.

This week’s mileage totals 146.49 and if the weather cooperates I plan on riding tomorrow. June’s mileage equals today’s miles. Year to date I stand at 2484 miles.

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