Park to Port

The ride day started with me and my new socks oversleeping!

Yup, woke up at the time I had planned to be arriving at the park!  Thankfully the start time was a two hour window from 7a-9a so I didn't have to race down the foggy mist covered highway to get there.

Time to check in - volunteer directed me to go straight then to the right - I did this and ended up nowhere near anything resembling a check in station!  Now I was a bit panicked, time was ticking! Went back to where I started and asked a different volunteer this time - same directions except this time I saw the right I was sposed to take the first time (sharp right, not the curve right - makes a world of difference!)

Rolling up to the check-in station the drizzling rain got a bit heavier, still not a full on rain, but wet enough!

All set, rolled out and straight up a hill! A really BIG hill!  Got to the top but it was a true struggle. The drizzling rain continued.  The ride was pretty but would have been even better with some sun.

We arrived at the rest stop (Houston Ship Channel) soaked to the bone

Bike was tired...of being wet.  She prefers dry riding conditions, that's why we get along so well - we think alike 

After a snack and some rest it was time to head back.  The rain had finally stopped but by now we were all so wet, who cared? **note to self - never never never buy white bike shorts - that sight can not been unseen and you would never want to be responsible for doing that to anyone, ever!** 

With the exception of the rain (an that guy in the wet white bike shorts) it was a very enjoyable ride, and hey who wouldn't like a ride that ends with an offering of 

bananas...

breakfast burritos...

and beer!  LOL

Time to head home (a view from the top of the hill we faced at the start of the ride and again to get back to our cars!) 

End to End and Back!

It all started when Rex woke us up at 4a because he had to go outside. I appreciate him giving us the heads up but what a pain not being able to fall back to sleep!  At 5a I finally gave up and got back out of bed. As I piddled around I started thinking about a bike ride at the park, I mean as long as I was up I may as well.  Got dressed, gathered my gear, filled my Camelbak and my two water bottles, grabbed my bike and out the door I went...before sunrise!
As I was driving to the park I started getting frustrated with all the traffic...until I realized it was Monday (teacher vacation brain has a tight grip on me!)

As I was driving to the park I finished talking myself into riding the trail end to end and back. I failed last time but I also wasn't as prepared.  Finally at the park, gear on, time to roll out.

 The fog was thick and plentiful, the sun was struggling to break through, made me wonder if I was going to be able to see more than a few feet ahead of me once on the trail.

I rode my least favorite part of the route first - my glasses fogging over, hoards of gnats flying in my face, up my nose, and in my mouth (OK maybe not hoards but there sure were a lot!) did not help me like it any better.  I arrived at the Hwy 6 end of the route in good time, now to head back.

8 miles completed - worst part over - Score!  I rested at my starting point (Sheriff's Dept on I-10). Looked at my tracking app, I was makin pretty good time!  Rested and hydrated I headed out to ride my favorite part of George Bush Park - the 7 miles between me and the other end of the route.

Action shot LOL

So calm and quiet

The heavy dew made it look like some of these plants were floating on water

I get relaxed just thinking about this part of the park (a reward for pedaling that far)

Playin with my glasses while taking a break and enjoying the quiet

Back on the trail and I saw this - does that mean it's only going to be a small construction project?

 I made it! The S.Fry end of the route! To celebrate I rode on for another 1.5 miles down Highland Knolls before turning around and heading back

Cruisin back toward the truck I notice something in the middle of the path. Whatisthatohshit! A snake! And it was alive! Right there in the middle of the path! Head up and poised for battle! YIKES! You're darn right I came to a screeching halt!  No really, my brakes actually screeched...and apparently that was enough to scare the snake. He moved with the quickness into the bushes - once his head was covered he stopped. Guess he figured since he couldn't see me I couldn't see him LOL

The rest of my ride was uneventful - no more snakes, no gators like the signs kept warning me about, just the park's yard crew and an occasional jogger or a fellow cyclist.

Last year when I attempted this particular route I fell short and had to call my husband to come pick me up and drive me and my bike back to my truck. Not one of my finer moments.  This year was much better - route completed!  While this was not my longest ride it still gets marked as a big victory.  

Summer 2013	Summer 2014
Incomplete ride	Complete ride
20 miles	25 miles
2 hrs 20 min	2 hrs 5 min
Averaged 9.3 mph   (6.5 min/mile)	Averaged 12 mph  (5 min/mile)

Neighborhood Ride

Due to last night's rain I didn't bother going to the park to ride this morning as planned cuz I knew a lot of the route I wanted to ride would be washed out
However, early morning rides on the main streets of the neighborhood do have their advantages
- you can ride at whatever speed you want and not be in anybody's way
- you have to follow traffic laws but don't have to use your bicycle manners
- you can stop and take a picture without getting that "OMG you are SO annoying" look

- you can explore new routes cuz there is always another side street to turn down
- you can get lost while exploring
- you can ride for a few miles before realizing you are more lost than you thought
- you get all excited when that last right turn puts you on a street you recognize
- you get amused by the odd wildlife you see in the suburban neighborhood

but best of all
- you don't get strange looks as you do Wii Dance dance moves to the songs on your playlist
- you can sing along to your eclectic playlist as loud as you want and nobody hears how off key you are...well maybe that one guy walking his dog did...

Tour de Cure Kick-Off Ride

We met at Memorial Bicycle World  - I was almost as excited for this ride as I am for the actual charity ride

I checked in and received my TdC Halo headband - of course I put it on right away.  Now my helmet felt different, wasn't being held up by a bandanna anymore since I had a "real" sweatband now  LOL
We rolled out and headed through Terry Hershey Park, suddenly we were all stopped - a rider had fallen off the path into a rocky area - while waiting to be sure help was on the way the rest of the 25 mile group had gone on (unaware there was an injured rider) and now they were long gone, leaving a lot of us with zero idea where to go next.  We knew we needed to go over to George Bush Park but after that...
Shortly after getting to the GBP side we ran into some of the 10 mile group, we were informed a ride marshal was at the police station (4 miles ahead).  We were off again.  We found the rest of the 10 mile group and spoke with their ride marshal who gave directions to the rest stop - I was the only one who was familiar with the area and the group nominated me the leader.  What?!  Ummm, OK.
We made it to the rest stop and none too soon - it was getting hot hot hot outside - the AC in the Katy Bicycle World store was a welcomed relief.  I sat, ate a snack, drank more water, and sucked up their AC for a good 20 minutes.
Time to head back.  As we got closer to the rides end I was feeling weaker and weaker from the heat, this had me wondering about September - if 27 miles was bothering me like this, what was 30 miles gonna do to me?  Made it back to my truck and sat in the AC for a bit before taking off - felt worlds better - and hey how wouldn't feel better when you're rockin this look?  LOL

Bikin' It Out

Ever have one of those days where life has gotten you so knotted up you don't know which way to turn?
That was my friend and I today so we decided to bike it out together.  The catch - she lives way up north in Canada and of course I'm here in Texas.
It was decided since we couldn't bike it out together in person we'd take a few pics of our rides to share with each other.

My ride went something like this...

If ever there was an intersection that needed a traffic light this is the one!  Four way stop, two lanes each, complete with turn lanes at all four stops.  I come upon this lovely bit of road shortly after exiting my subdivision and getting on Burney Rd - it's the least favorite part of my ride.

Further down Burney at Voss we find Sugar Land's surface water treatment plant dressed up to look like resort.

Turning off  Burney onto Stadium Dr, around the traffic circle, and up to the Skeeters' stadium - it's now time to enjoy the two childlike moments of my ride.  The first one - down the hill & over the bridge at top speed! Yeah, I have to ride back up the hill but it's not bad and well worth it for that downhill ride.

The second one takes place once I'm back up the hill - I get to ride like a swerving lunatic down the main parking lot and back out onto Stadium Dr.  Don't worry, I watch for traffic.

I don't normally take a real rest break but today it was too hot not to!  So at the eight mile mark I sat in the shade and watched the wildlife flit around until I had cooled off enough to continue.

Back on the road I swung by and checked on "my" turtles. Poor fellas have lost most of their sunning branches.  Thanks to all the rain we've been having almost all the branches are under water and all kinds of debris has been churned up. (this was the clean area - one lone turtle sunning himself on the middle branch)

In an effort to stay in the shade as long as possible I did something I never do - rode on the sidewalk.  Along the way this inviting scene made me want to climb the fence and take a cool refreshing dip.

During my entire ride the sky was filled with fluffy clouds and not one of them ever blocked the sun! Rude!

After my ride I came to a few conclusions

1. I need to leave the house earlier

2. I need a white helmet

3. I enjoy morning rides way more then evening rides

4. I must remember sunblock

5. Bikin' it out really does help

CycloFemme 2014

CycloFemme - the ride that started it all
This time last year I was relatively new cycling and had never been on a group ride
This year I had several "bike shop" group rides and two major rides under my belt
I arrived and got signed in then stood around and waited.  I've gotten used to going to these things without a partner, bit awkward at first but then you find folks to talk to
I may just wear my OSU shirt to every group ride - it started conversation at the Tour de Houston and today at CycloFemme
Finally it was time to head out, got a good pace going then had to stop and wait for the rest of the group - this happened several times during the ride - I'm no pro and I know we had beginner beginners with us but geez louise!
New year, new route - we went through the Heights and rode some of the new bike path - it was wonderful, well OK wonderful if you exclude the hills and inclines! Ack! 
As we were cruisin the bike path we of course pass others out enjoying the morning - as we passed a couple joggers I hear O-H so of course I replied I-O (my OSU shirt strikes again LOL)
At the midway point we stopped and took a group photo

We rode through Downtown for a stretch - still tickles me that we get to do that!  This ride while shorter in miles was heavier in challenges (hills, inclines, traffic) I really felt for the beginners - had this been my first ever group ride it may have made me reconsider group rides!

The group I was riding with made it back to Happy Fatz in good time  - I parked the bike, got some coffee, drank the coffee, loaded the bike up, headed home...more groups from the ride still coming in! Told ya there were a lot of beginners!

I enjoyed myself and look forward to CycloFemme 2015 - maybe I can get my Mom to join me next year 

Yikes!!

Conversation I had with myself while on my ride tonight
*the sound of a large dog barking behind me*
Oh Crap! Don't look back! Don't look back! Pedal faster! OMG! Wind give me a break I'm about to be in trouble here! Must pedal faster!
*the sounds of the large dog's barking getting closer*
Shit! I'm gonna get bit! This is gonna hurt, a lot! Crap! Crap! Crap! Wind stop blowing so hard so I can get away!
*bracing for the pain as the large dog has just about caught up to me and is sure to bite me at any second*
What do I do? I don't want my leg torn up? Don't cry after, Anthony won't be able to understand you so he can come get you. Brace yourself!
*large German Shepherd barking madly out the car window as he passes by*
ARE YOU SERIOUS?! OMG I am so glad he was in a car! He was huge! I would have lost some leg! FOCUS! Pay attention to the road or you'll lose more than leg! Stupid wind, I hate wind!

This is what I thought was behind me - minus the leash!

Tour de Houston

Woke up at 5a, it was so early even the dogs looked at me like "WHAT are you doing?! Go back to bed!"

There was no going back to bed, it was time to get ready for Tour de Houston!  Today was the first time I was riding the TdH and only my second organized ride.
Got to City Hall around 7:15a - 70 degrees, gray cloudy skies, and the threat of rain

The 60 milers left at 7:30a 

40 milers next, then 20 milers (that's me!) all got underway in waves.  

By 8:15a my wave was on the road.  I was so excited I almost cried (I get wound up about simple stuff).  This was a distance I knew I could accomplish - the weather was going to be the challenge.  As we took off I wondered just how different this ride was going to be from Tour de Cure since this time I was on a bike designed for these kind of rides.  

We rode up Smith to Lamar then onto Allen Parkway - it was all ours, blocked off to traffic. 

Get this, I. Was. Passing. People!  

What?! 

Me?! 

Passing people instead of being passed?! 

YES!

Before I knew it we were at Kirby and Westpark - I had traveled 6 miles in less than 30 minutes! New bike made it so easy!  As I traveled down Westpark it suddenly hit me - there was a HUGE hill between me and the next turn in the route.  Must admit I got a little stressy, didn't want to have to get off my bike and walk some of the hill.  The hill was now in sight *gulp*  Shifted gears and hit it with all I had, made it 3/4 of the way up then...really...slowed...dooooown, but never stopped.  I gutted out that last 1/4 of the hill, so proud of myself when I reached the top - my reward, the downhill side of course!  FLEW down the hill (even better than bein silly at the Skeeter's parking lot!). Right on Sage, right on W Alabama, left on Post Oak - rest stop in sight!

10.5 miles completed in under an hour! 

Found a spot with folding chairs and relaxed for a bit.  Why was I sitting when I just spent all that time sitting on my bike...it's a different kind of sitting, trust me!  

Relaxed, ate a snack, text my progress to family and a few friends, posted progress on FB, and about wet myself when there was suddenly a very large flash of lightning. Crap!  10 miles between me and the end of this ride and the rain was rollin in. Time to leave the rest stop!
The fact that I was staying with the pack AND passing people continued to tickle me (told ya I got wound up about simple stuff)  Down Post Oak to Loop 610.  I got to ride on the feeder road of 610 for about a mile!  Now you may not think that's cool but I sure did! (again, it's the little things)  Off 610 to Woodway for a few miles.  All was well til Westcott (about mile 15).  It started raining. It wasn't a hard rain so I didn't bother stopping to put on my rain poncho - this would turn out to be a bad choice.  I didn't bother with the poncho cuz it wouldn't keep my glasses clear or my feet and butt dry and those were the parts of me I wanted dry.  Temperature was dropping, I was on Studemont with two miles to go - no worries.  Then the real rain came, there was no avoiding the puddles, I could feel the water sloshing around in my shoes!  I was soaked to the bone, regretting not putting my rain poncho on.

1 hour and 45 minutes after starting, I was finished - 20.53 miles with all my splits between 4:30 and 5:30 min/per mile.  GO ME!

I didn't bother hanging around and checking out the different merchants tents in the rain, I was soggy, uncomfortable, and tired - time to get in the truck and go home.

Now, where the hell did I park?!  I knew it was Lot C problem was I had no idea how to get back to Lot C! Rode this way...no, not familiar.  Rode back that way...no, not right either.  I wanted to cry, I just wanted to get out of the rain!  Rode down to a police car - they will know...they didn't know! Really?!  "I think you go this way but after that I'm not sure" Thanks officer, heaps of help.  Rode down the way he said and stopped at the next police car, he was able to give me directions, I was two turns away WHEW!  I don't think I have ever been so happy to see a parking lot!  Got everything loaded and situated then just sat in the truck and had a Yea Me! moment. 

Cranked up the heat and thanks to my awesome Tour de Cure travel mug enjoyed a warm cup of coffee on my way home while wondering if there was a ride in April I could sign up for.

Wind

Wind at your back helps you ride faster
Wind in your face slows you down
Wind that comes in gusts is tolerable
Wind that blows constantly is not
Wind adds natural resistance to your workout
Wind can slow you to a crawl
Wind can aid in keeping you cool
Wind can make you cold cold cold
Wind blowing at low speeds is acceptable
Wind at any speed above 5mph is evil

High Five

First ride of the new year. It was in the upper 50's and kinda gloomy with a bit of wind but off I went on my new bike.  Have I mentioned before how awesome this bike is?  

I have? 

Fine, I won’t mention it again...in this post

I'd gone a bit over 2 miles and it started drizzling, I pushed on and by Jess Pirtle (3 mile mark) it had just about stopped. I went to the right into the Oyster Creek Estates and stopped in the cul de sac to take the above picture (been meaning to take it for months now) Just as I took off riding again the rain came back, this time with a bit more then a drizzle. Crap. I headed for home irritated with the weather for cutting my ride short.

As I'm riding home and little needles of rain were pelting my face I spotted two kids out riding and one was comin down the bike path I was goin up,  I eased out into the main traffic lane so we could pass one another with ease.  He had spotted me too, stuck his arm out and yelled "HIGH FIVE! HIGH FIVE!" shaking his hand in the air. I figured what the hell, wouldn't hurt to be silly, so I stuck my arm out and opened my hand and made sure I was close enough *SMACK* we high five'd and all I heard behind me was "Oh yeah! High Five!" followed by laughter.  

The rest of the ride while cold, damp, and shorter than I wanted wasn't that bad - pedaled on home with a smile thinking "Oh yeah! High Five!"