It started out as a nice, dark, early morning. We got up around 5 to go to the Katy Flatlands bike ride. It was a little warm but it actually like a good day to ride. We left around 5:30 and were about 10 minutes from the ride start when a thunderstorm rolled through.
We got to Katy Mills mall and there were several rides there getting ready in the rain. Since there was lightening I waited until after the lightening was gone before I got ready. The ride started about 7:15 am, which was a 15 min delay. We continued to wait because there was still lightening in the sky. Finally about 7:45 the rain nearly stopped and the lightening was gone. So we started on the ride. We were among the last probably 25 riders to start.
We were about 2-3 miles into the ride when it started raining again. At first it was just a slight sprinkle, but eventually the rain drops got much larger and hurt even though we slowed down. It stopped before we got to the first rest stop. After that point we had partly cloudy skys for the rest of the ride. Vanessa and I rode together until we reached the split for the 60/100 route. She decided that she was going to ride 60, while I was planning to ride the 100. I figure that with my late start I was the last person to begin the 100 mile ride. I did catch one rider who had a flat tire between RS 2 and RS3. I stopped to help and rode with him until RS4.
At RS4 we caught other riders so now I knew I was not the last rider on the course. I continued to make steady progression as the day went along. I felt strong, but I did not feel fast. I got back around to Brookshire and Fulshear as they were getting ready to close the rest stops. I continued to catch anyone in front of me who was in sight. Just as I was pulling into the parking lot after 101.6 miles, it started to rain again. Luckily it was only a short sprinkle. I think I will easily finish Hotter n' Hell this year but I won't set a new personal best record.
