The remodeling is winding down so I did not have to stay home quite so late today. Wheels started rolling at 12:46 heading north to Community Drive and then through Valley Ranch before stopping at the Stripes station at FM1314. Not many miles were needed to get to 800 for the month and this route was more than enough at 29.20 miles. My average speed dropped a little to 15.3 mph. August miles increased to 813.36 and year to date I biked 5065 miles. So far this week I biked 125.04 miles. Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com.

Stopping at Stripes was a welcomed break from the heat. Yahoo weather on my phone said the temperature was 96 with a 102 heat index while I drank a cold Diet Pepsi. Sitting in the shade under the pump canopy the nice SW breeze helped my perspiration to dry by the time I resumed riding. I really need the sunscreen to block the rays.

While I biked I remembered a TV show from the 1950’s which set the bar for retirement: “The Life of Riley”. William Bendix played a retiree and the show coined or made popular the phrase “Living the Life of Riley”. As I recall the show Riley could be found sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch waiting for his neighbor to involve Riley in the latest crisis. While I was not in a crisis as I biked today I did think about the difference between my retired life and Riley’s. I am now able to indulge my fancy to watch the grand tours live rather than recorded when I worked. Now I can bike in the morning or afternoon which makes my wife happier than my after work rides and late suppers.

Riding along today’s route I opted for a shorter than usual route but I did add some variety combining some streets I do not ride regularly. Schools let out early for the holiday weekend so traffic appeared lighter than normal.

The next two days could reach 99 degrees as the heat hangs over southeast Texas.

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