Space Race
Yesterday I rode in the Space Race. I decided to wait to register since the weather looked bad for Sunday. Early in the week the forecast called for major thunderstorms so I didn't think I was going to do the ride. Then on Saturday I watched the channel 2 weekend weather guy say that it will rain but not until later in the day on Sunday. Cool, I can do the ride after all.
I decided to do the 62 mile ride again this year hoping that it was only 62 miles. Last year they said it was 62 but I clocked it at over 70 so I had my fingers crossed. I got there a little late and they made us park about a mile away from the start so I was rushed to get my bike together and pedal over and register. After registering I had to go all the way back to my truck to drop off my t-shirt and the extra goodies that they give you with your ride packet. I did a final bike check and headed back over to the start. My group headed out at 7:45 AM and I was on my way.
As usual there are 10 or 15 people that get flat tires within the first 1/2 mile and I have my fingers crossed that I wouldn't be joining them. I had an unusual number of flats during my training out at the Woodlands this year but was hoping that the new tires I put on would help to keep me moving. It was overcast and a little foggy but I had faith in the channel 2 weather guy, so I pedaled with confidence that I would stay dry and it stayed dry for about an hour. Then the rains came. It started out as a steady drizzle and I told myself that it wasn't all that bad, then I found myself riding behind a small group and found out what the road tastes like since I was riding a little close and the tires of the bikes in front of me were throwing muddy water all over me. Yummy.
Thanks again to my new little friend (naproxen sodium) I had few problems with back spasms but I still stopped at all of the rest stops. My bike computer stopped working because of the rain so I don't know the exact time and distance but I finished a little after noon. This was my second ride using the new pedals and shoes and they performed very well. The only real problem I had with the pedal/shoes was after I finished the ride and was pedaling back to my truck I stopped at a stop light when I didn't unclip one of my shoes from the pedal, fell over and got a little road rash. Bummer.
There was some excitement during the ride. Just after the rain started I was riding in a small group when we heard what sounded like a gun shot. It was just a blowout on a bike about 10 feet in front of me. The guy was riding a recumbent bike, and the noise startled him and he turned to look behind him. Turning to look combined with the wet roads got him skidding sideways and when he tried to correct the slide he fishtailed the other way. A few more side to sides and then he was off the road into the mud and sliding to a stop. Meanwhile the rest of us around him are trying to get out of his way.
About 50 miles into the ride I was riding on the I-45 feeder road about 50 yards behind another rider when I heard someone behind me yelling Whoa! And then I saw it out of the corner of my eye, a Ford Mustang spinning off of the freeway and into the ditch. The girl driving had very fast reflexes because before the car had stopped spinning completely she had it back in gear and was gunning it so as not to get stuck in the ditch. If she had not been spinning I am pretty sure she would have nailed the guy in front of me and as it was she almost hit a few people while spinning her tires trying to get on the feeder. When she hit the asphalt she burned some rubber and hauled butt. Nice one Mario.
I should probably warn the Channel 2 Weather guy that there may have been a few disparaging remarks about him during that cold, wet ride and something about hosing him down to see how he likes it.
Next Sunday it's the Bluebonnet Express so stay tuned.
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