Day 31 - Short start to the second half

OK, having said I wouldn't write a post today, I've had a change of heart and decided to keep up to date. Not that a whole lot has actually happened in the 7 hours since the last post, so this one's going to be brief. Having realised very early yesterday that a second lie in appealed significantly more than rushing off to make some made up deadline, today's ride was simply about getting to the right side of Houston to launch off into the countryside tomorrow.

Seeing as getting out the cities can take time it just made sense to make the very short 15 mile trip to the North East fringes of the city, so I can push hard towards the Louisiana border from early tomorrow. It also gave me a chance to road test the bike, which seems to be riding well bar a slight clicking in the right pedal, and get comfortable with the latest very sexy addition to my already geeky attire....the helmet mirror, so I don't have to spend my life twisting round. It also hopefully adds to the overall look that I'm working on, as a form of protection. I figure the more geeky and downright mental I look, the less likely people are to get up in my grill and make trouble for me. No one wants to be seen hassling a nutter in public.

The drop in temperature and humidity made the riding hugely more enjoyable, and with it set to remain like this for the next week or so, it could be a very pleasant few days along the Gulf Coast. As for the actual route today, there isn't a whole lot to say. It was through 15 miles of reasonable, if dull, suburbs - Kate and Al are definitely on the more lively side of town. It would've been 15 mins shorter if I hadn't got stuck at the  level crossing with a braking train that took forever get over the road. And after nearly two days being so thoroughly looked after, spoilt and relaxed my body feels much better, and even my left side which I twisted in a tumble is feeling stronger.

However it's how I'm feeling upstairs that's the best change. I'm sure you've all got better things to do than listen to some git on unpaid leave whingeing, but it is safe to say before I got to Houston one or two things were starting to pile up and get a little out of proportion in my mind. Two days being thoroughly spoilt with friends from back home has just put the whole exercise back into the perspective it needs to be in. I'm firmly back to feeling keen and excited about the next three to four weeks. That said straight back to the motels and highway food this evening seems a shame after two days of yummy food and home comforts.

Route - West Houston - Far north east Houston

Breakfast - Kate's Eggy Bread bacon sandwich with tomato and grainy mustard. A hangover cure masterpiece from Kate, and much appreciated after the appletini that took me over the edge in Uptown sushi. On top of that, all the best things about british breakfast again, shredded wheat, a good cup of tea, jam, etc. I'm convinced breakfast is the one meal every human misses the most when they're away. I have no doubt Americans coming to London feel the same way. There is absolutely nothing wrong with breakfast here at all, in fact Americans put an amazing amount of effort and energy into it generally, it's just breakfast is the one meal of the day you want to feel like home where ever your from, and that is what made the Houston breakfasts such a treat.

Lunch - Cold chicken, salad, chutney, jacket sweet potato and Ice Cream. Final home cooked meal for a few weeks. A delicious send off.

Supper - Whataburger Meal 1 - Whataburger. Texan equivalent of California's In and Out. It's definitely fast food, but it was a good burger, and it's a solid step up from McDonald's or Burger King. It is also the only place to eat within two miles of the motel, so I tucked in guilt free.