One of the luxuries of retirement is flexibility on when I get to bike. Today I need that flexibility. Rain started early this morning and continued off and on until after 11:00. I rearranged my chores to then and waited for the streets to dry off and the radar to clear up in the direction I wanted to ride. By the time everything was clearing off it was time for Kingwood HS to let out so I waited until 2:53 to leave home. By the time I got the high school almost everyone was gone and traffic was thinning out.

The ride plan took me on the “Stroker Road – Huffman” route to get extra miles in my quest to catch up on the miles I am behind. Today I biked 38.51 miles. I had to fight the wind again until the 20 mile point when I turned left onto Ramsey Road and the wind became my ally. Until that turn I was fighting the SE 21 mph wind almost all the way there. It wasn’t quite as bad as yesterday but it took a lower gear and constant pedaling to get through it. My average speed up to that turn was around 14.0 mph. From there I started to increase my average speed thanks to the wind. Riding with the tailwind I realized I was doing intervals. I would pedal as hard as I could for 10 seconds, build up to 20 or 21 mph and then coast down to 19 mph and repeat. With this effort by the time I got to the Huffman Chevron at about 27 miles I averaged 15.1 mph. On the 11 miles home from Huffman I got it up to 15.2 mph for a mile or so before I drifted lower ending up at 15.0 mph when I got home at 6:04. This is the latest I rode in some time. When  I worked I usually was starting the evening ride about this time. I prefer the earlier in the day rides.

It was around 80 degrees most of the ride but when the sun popped out from behind the clouds it felt warmer. The long sleeve jersey was fine but it won’t be too much long when short sleeves will be the norm. Today’s rain was much needed at my house and plants perked up. The wind dried the streets quickly and I didn’t have to dodge any puddles.

After battling the wind and the longer ride the rest break at the Huffman Chevron was well received by my legs. It was nice sitting in the shade, eating a snack and drinking the Powerade. I had to rally myself after the Powerade was gone to get going.

Strava reports these: (All of these are with a tailwind or at least not into the wind)

• PR on Westbound Atascocita Rd to FM2100 (7:46)
• 2nd fastest time on Gum Gully Sprint (2:23)
• 3rd fastest time on Ramsey Drag (4:21)

Mileage standings: 110.07 for this week, 221.16 for May and 1890 YTD.  May 2015 is within 44 miles of the total of May 2014. I should make progress on catching up this year’s miles the rest of May. I will take a few days off now. Next planned ride is Monday May 11th.

Weather when I stopped at the Huffman Chevron

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