July 3rd - Late post

Starting Mileage: 70502
Ending Mileage: 70777
Total miles for the day: 275

It was time to get out and ride again. I had not ridden more than a couple of miles since I returned from Gettysburg, PA on June 16th.

I had left home about 8:00 and took my wife to breakfast at the Avalon Diner at The Fountains. Departed there without a clue on where I was headed. Turned south on US-59 just before 9:00 and the temperature was already 84 degrees. Upon reaching Victoria, Texas stopped to fuel up. Turned SE on US-87 towards the coast hitting SR-35 at Port Lavaca.

I did manage to get sprinkled on a little bit but not even enough to get wet and cool off. The temperature had been steadily climbing up and was pushing 100. As luck would have it, I managed to ride around a couple of thunderstorms that were marching up the coast.

Upon reaching West Columbia I turned north on SR-36 and followed it up to Damon then headed northeast on FM-1482. Nearing the Brazos Bend State Park I turned north on FM-762 and followed it all the way back to US-59 a few miles southwest of where I had started. From there basically following my nose back home.

Arrived home at 2:00 having traveled 275 miles in about 5 hours. Averaged about 55 mph including fuel and two other rest/water stops. Very warm day.

Concerning hydration. That morning I drank 8 oz of V8, 3 cups of coffee and some water with my breakfast. During the ride I drank a 32 oz and a 24 oz bottles of Gatorade. With all of that fluid intake, when I had arrived home I had still lost 3 lbs of body weight due to fluid loss.

Watch your hydration in the heat of summer when riding.