Here is a key frustration with cycling.
From Winnie to Houston, via car (or the crow flies in this case) it's only fifty-some-odd miles. It's mostly a straight shot and takes under an hour.
However, on a bike, I'm not cycling on any expressways. It may be legal in Texas, but the odds of me getting hit by a car increase exponentially. So, the next best route is to divert North on side roads, find the highway, and follow it back South into the city center where I can jump onto bike paths. That is something I just have to accept as I live off this bike. And, to be honest, that is a minor issue--on its own. But as frustrations compound and add up, those extra miles can make or break I day. I knew today was going to be long so I believed I was prepared for the frustration.
Then I got a flat. Okay, I've handled those before. And as I pulled off under some shade, I saw that my tube was a minor problem. My back tire was shredded. The road type I was on--looked like 50 grit--compounded by the weight of Kona, my gear, and all my insecurities lead to me wearing through the rear tire far faster than I had hoped. The tire was still usable if you ignored everything in your head telling you this was a dumb idea. I wasn't sure if it was going to make it to Houston; but I didn't have any option. The nearest bike store was in Houston. I was headed that way anyways. So I made the change and tried my best to not worry about the potential blowout that was sure to come any moment. And as I approached Houston, I had to zig-zag across the puncture-prone minefield that is highway shoulders.
Then, I arrived in the city limits of Houston. In the Fifth Ward. For those unaware, the Fifth Ward is the low-income, high crime area of the city. I know nothing about the history of Houston, nor even its layout, so all I could do was trudge along and be pleasant to any people that came across my way. To be honest though, I think a lot of the people assumed I was homeless or insane. I didn't have any problems beside the insane headwind that tried to push me out of the city.
Fortunately, I made it to a very good friend's place with some sunlight to spare. I also had the next two days off to rest, get some new tires, and see what Houston has to offer. I also got to do it with a familiar face I hadn't seen in a long time, and I was just excited to catch up with the guy who took my passion for the outdoors to the next level.
Great to see you again Dave.