Monday, December 15, 2008
Day 24 - Monday, December 15
Description: Finished the 64 mile ride in Coldspring TX at around 3 pm. I plan to ride to Silsbee TX tomorrow which will be around 90 miles or so. The forecast is ugly for tomorrow with the high predicted to be less than 40, winds in my face, and a good chance of rain. BTW, there was freezing rain coming down when I returned from dinner tonight - yikes. We will see......
I woke up at 6 this morning to pack up and get ready for a 6:30 breakfast. I was disappointed with the Best Western breakfast which is typically very good. I had a microwaved egg biscuit, bowl of cereal, 2 bananas, OJ, and weak coffee. I started riding at 7:30 with cold (42), overcast, and windy conditions. Well, the wind gods changed their game plan last night and switched their winds from the south to the north in an attempt to fake me out. My first 10 miles were a steady climb straight into the wind and I could only manage a 9 mph pace. I stopped at Anderson for some fresh water and to warm up my feet. By the time I got to Anderson, the temp had dropped to 38 as a front was moving through. From Anderson, my route turned more NE and I picked up a cross wind (which I rode for the rest of the day) that was somewhat manageable. I stopped again after 10 miles in Richards at a small gas station for some coffee and a pack of Nekot Peanut Butter cookies (zero trans fat!) which I love. Just after starting up again, rain started coming down which lasted for the next hour as I headed into the Sam Houston National Forest. The Mean Green Machine got a bath and Wilson scampered for cover in a dry bag on the back of the bike. The tall trees of the forrest provided good protection from the wind all the way past Lake Conroe and into New Waver which was 15 miles away. It was lunch time and I was hungry. I grabbed a big Subway sandwich in an attempt to hit the spot. Then as I started rolling out of town, I saw a local donut shop and felt compelled to stop. The owner lived in Durham for 4 years! I wolfed down a quarter dozen donuts with a coffee and was almost too full to mount the bike. Off I went into the chilly afternoon with another 25 miles to Coldspring. The whole day was full of rolling hills which was a surprise as I thought that I had exited the hills of Texas. There were mostly cattle farms in the countryside and a fair amount of traffic going to somewhere that I could not figure out. I rode through the small town of Pumpkin and could only think of Mike Daniels who loves everything pumpkin including ales, lattes, pie, etc. I figured he might retire to this place one day so I took a picture of the sign and sent it to him. At this point, Wilson and I had a serious discussion as we were nearing Coldspring. Even though the wind chill temp was near freezing, the pistons were warmed up and full of energy from all the donuts and caffeine that entered the fuel tank back in New Waverly. The pistons wanted to run and were asking for a Century (100 miler) just for bragging rights. Wilson was very cold and complaining of major shrinkage. He wanted to call it a day and reminded me that there might not be lodging at the next town of Shepherd and beyond that is nothing. It looked like more rain ahead so I reluctantly turned into the tiny (and only) motel in Coldspring. After checking in, I found out there is in fact a new motel (not on my maps) in Shepherd. I will not let Wilson forget this mistake for a long time as I wanted to go more miles. After a long hot shower and a pint, I was ready for carbo loading. Sam, the manager of the San Jacinto Inn offered to drive me to the local food establishments - think small town. The choices were Mexican (tempting), greasy burger joint (nahh), or Elaine's Restaurant (YES). This was an easy choice as my Niece's name is Elaine and I figured this would be good. Tonight marks my transition from Mexican and bean burritos to cajun food. I had the house special of spicy fried catfish, mashed potatoes with white gravy, salad bar, and an awesome hot apple crisp with vanilla ice cream (yes more dessert F). Of course, I had to have some fresh coffee with my dessert. This place was great and has broken my Mexican habit. Beans and rice, here I come as I am close to exiting (day after tomorrow) Texas. Sam came back to pick me up and now I am struggling to stay awake as my body converts all this food into stored nitro power for tomorrow's anticipated cold ride.
Even though it was cold and wet, I had a great ride today as all of my gear kept me warm and dry while the Zune MP3 player kept the tunes going through some new ear buds that my Sherpa Mom bought me a few days ago. .
Good night!
Weather: Started cold, overcast, and windy and got worse as the day went on. Temps dropped throughout the day and I got a solid hour of rain in the late morning. Was too cold to fish but not bike:-)
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 64 Trip: 1,835
Total travel time: 7:30 Trip: 183:30
Bike Riding time: 5:36 Trip: 117:20
Avg speed: 11.44 Trip: 12.73 - wind killed my pace today
Max speed: 24.39 Trip: 41.87
Total ascent (ft): 2,064 Trip: 49,766
Avg pedal RPMs: 87 Trip: 87
Avg heart rate: 105 Trip: 114
Max heart rate: 145 Trip: 195
Calories burned: 3,759 Trip: 107,349
Weather Statistics:
High temp 42 Trip: 75
Low temp: 38 Trip: 28
Hours of rain: 1 Trip: 9
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 2
Wind factor: Against mostly
Total good wind days: 9
Total bad wind days: 15
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel - San Jacinto Inn
Total hotel nights: 22
Total camping nights: 2
Cups of coffee: 5 Trip: 81
Pints: 1 Trip: 35
Mood rating (1-10): 9 - could have been a real bad day but it worked out well. Not sure about tomorrow.
I woke up at 6 this morning to pack up and get ready for a 6:30 breakfast. I was disappointed with the Best Western breakfast which is typically very good. I had a microwaved egg biscuit, bowl of cereal, 2 bananas, OJ, and weak coffee. I started riding at 7:30 with cold (42), overcast, and windy conditions. Well, the wind gods changed their game plan last night and switched their winds from the south to the north in an attempt to fake me out. My first 10 miles were a steady climb straight into the wind and I could only manage a 9 mph pace. I stopped at Anderson for some fresh water and to warm up my feet. By the time I got to Anderson, the temp had dropped to 38 as a front was moving through. From Anderson, my route turned more NE and I picked up a cross wind (which I rode for the rest of the day) that was somewhat manageable. I stopped again after 10 miles in Richards at a small gas station for some coffee and a pack of Nekot Peanut Butter cookies (zero trans fat!) which I love. Just after starting up again, rain started coming down which lasted for the next hour as I headed into the Sam Houston National Forest. The Mean Green Machine got a bath and Wilson scampered for cover in a dry bag on the back of the bike. The tall trees of the forrest provided good protection from the wind all the way past Lake Conroe and into New Waver which was 15 miles away. It was lunch time and I was hungry. I grabbed a big Subway sandwich in an attempt to hit the spot. Then as I started rolling out of town, I saw a local donut shop and felt compelled to stop. The owner lived in Durham for 4 years! I wolfed down a quarter dozen donuts with a coffee and was almost too full to mount the bike. Off I went into the chilly afternoon with another 25 miles to Coldspring. The whole day was full of rolling hills which was a surprise as I thought that I had exited the hills of Texas. There were mostly cattle farms in the countryside and a fair amount of traffic going to somewhere that I could not figure out. I rode through the small town of Pumpkin and could only think of Mike Daniels who loves everything pumpkin including ales, lattes, pie, etc. I figured he might retire to this place one day so I took a picture of the sign and sent it to him. At this point, Wilson and I had a serious discussion as we were nearing Coldspring. Even though the wind chill temp was near freezing, the pistons were warmed up and full of energy from all the donuts and caffeine that entered the fuel tank back in New Waverly. The pistons wanted to run and were asking for a Century (100 miler) just for bragging rights. Wilson was very cold and complaining of major shrinkage. He wanted to call it a day and reminded me that there might not be lodging at the next town of Shepherd and beyond that is nothing. It looked like more rain ahead so I reluctantly turned into the tiny (and only) motel in Coldspring. After checking in, I found out there is in fact a new motel (not on my maps) in Shepherd. I will not let Wilson forget this mistake for a long time as I wanted to go more miles. After a long hot shower and a pint, I was ready for carbo loading. Sam, the manager of the San Jacinto Inn offered to drive me to the local food establishments - think small town. The choices were Mexican (tempting), greasy burger joint (nahh), or Elaine's Restaurant (YES). This was an easy choice as my Niece's name is Elaine and I figured this would be good. Tonight marks my transition from Mexican and bean burritos to cajun food. I had the house special of spicy fried catfish, mashed potatoes with white gravy, salad bar, and an awesome hot apple crisp with vanilla ice cream (yes more dessert F). Of course, I had to have some fresh coffee with my dessert. This place was great and has broken my Mexican habit. Beans and rice, here I come as I am close to exiting (day after tomorrow) Texas. Sam came back to pick me up and now I am struggling to stay awake as my body converts all this food into stored nitro power for tomorrow's anticipated cold ride.
Even though it was cold and wet, I had a great ride today as all of my gear kept me warm and dry while the Zune MP3 player kept the tunes going through some new ear buds that my Sherpa Mom bought me a few days ago. .
Good night!
Weather: Started cold, overcast, and windy and got worse as the day went on. Temps dropped throughout the day and I got a solid hour of rain in the late morning. Was too cold to fish but not bike:-)
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 64 Trip: 1,835
Total travel time: 7:30 Trip: 183:30
Bike Riding time: 5:36 Trip: 117:20
Avg speed: 11.44 Trip: 12.73 - wind killed my pace today
Max speed: 24.39 Trip: 41.87
Total ascent (ft): 2,064 Trip: 49,766
Avg pedal RPMs: 87 Trip: 87
Avg heart rate: 105 Trip: 114
Max heart rate: 145 Trip: 195
Calories burned: 3,759 Trip: 107,349
Weather Statistics:
High temp 42 Trip: 75
Low temp: 38 Trip: 28
Hours of rain: 1 Trip: 9
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 2
Wind factor: Against mostly
Total good wind days: 9
Total bad wind days: 15
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel - San Jacinto Inn
Total hotel nights: 22
Total camping nights: 2
Cups of coffee: 5 Trip: 81
Pints: 1 Trip: 35
Mood rating (1-10): 9 - could have been a real bad day but it worked out well. Not sure about tomorrow.
OK ESN:0-7458562
This is Steve and I am checking in to let everyone know that I have finished my ride for the day safe and sound.
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:30.5762
Longitude:-95.1407
Nearest Location: Anthony Ln, Coldspring, TX, US
Distance: 0 km(s)
Time:12/15/2008 12:55:38 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.5762,-95.1407&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:30.5762
Longitude:-95.1407
Nearest Location: Anthony Ln, Coldspring, TX, US
Distance: 0 km(s)
Time:12/15/2008 12:55:38 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.5762,-95.1407&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Lake Conroe. Nobody fishing cause it is COLD
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