I rode to Happy, Tx from the Hollywood Theater today and then a little beyond to get more mileage. Google Maps says that adds up to 72.4. It took 5 1/2 hr, less than it took to do the 49 between Canadian and Miami. There was a great southerly (like always) tailwind pushing me back. It could have taken much longer without it. The bike was loaded to the gills with water bottles. 1.4 gallons in various sock warped water bottles.
I can’t wait to ripe all the extra gear off the bike and not have to carry water. 1.4 gallons is 12 lbs on the tail. Plus the rack, bag, CO2 Pump, Tubes, etc. There’s probably 15 lbs I can do without. It’s funny to feel the bike at the beginning and end. Not all of the water was drunk this time. Maybe, 1 1/2 water bottles or 36 oz we left over. Still I drink over a gallon of water in 5 hr. That’s 8 lb that went in my body and evaporated out. Wow. Well, I did pee a little.
The bike tour is this Sat. and Sun. Then I’m off work recovering for two days. It’s not really needed. My legs feel stringy and my body is desperate for sleep that won’t come. Not really too bad. It’ll bounce back in a day or so.
70 miles @12.9 mph is good. If I can get that next week I’ll be exceedingly grateful. That puts the whole time to 7hr 45min for 100mi. My bike speed is higher than 12.9. I pulled over and stopped a few times and sat in Happy for ~20min. So, that time includes stops.
The bike is excellent. A little rough on the gravelly parts and exceedingly smooth on asphalt. No problems from it at all.
The wide tires probably help the most. The Canadian-Miami trip was so rough it messed up the bike derailleurs and it was down a few days while I learned how to adjust it. This time I had a different seat and tires. Also, Jessica brought back some antivibe plugs to put in the handlebar ends. I wish the factory foam handlebar tape was thicker, but I’ll try replacing it this week and maybe some different gloves. The seat is borderline, but not painful. The handlebar riser really helped; letting me stretch by sitting straight up and barely stearing. Though it did may by upper body and triceps much more tired. My core does not have to be as strong. An even trade off.
So, early Sat. morning I’ll park my car and ride my bike, home, to Canadian. Pray I get there just after lunch. Namaste.