No bike ride yesterday because it rained and when it stopped the temperature starting dropping into the lower 60’s. I was working on installing a new forum on Texbiker.net and I did not want to bike in the chilly, cloudy and windy weather.

Today was much better. The sky was the nice clear blue you can see forever in. The temperature started the morning at 52, 20 degrees lower than yesterday, and by the time I left on my ride it was 71 degrees. By the time I got back it was up to 73 degrees. Wind was of not much consequence at 7 mph from the north. I decided today was a great day to ride my mountain bike. Earlier when I was out in the garage I was wiping my mountain bike off from an earlier ride where some mud splattered on the downtube and thought I need to get out on the knobbies. Probably the one issue I have with mountain biking is the mud. I am a clean freak and I have issues getting stuff dirty. But mountain bikes ar made for this even if I’m not.

The route was mostly on the greenbelt trails where dirt is not that common but there were places where yesterday’s rain moved some onto the trail. Generally the dirt was dry unless you went through the middle of the pile. I managed to stay on the side. Not too long after I started on the trail I came upon what looked like a dog from 200 feet or so but as I got a little closer it looked more like a coyote. This was only a half mile from my house but before I got close enough to have a good look he went into the woods along side the trail. I am not surprised a coyote could live in the woods, plenty of deer do.

I biked 20.24 miles today which is a long ride on my Motobecane 700HT. This may be the longest ride this year. My average speed was 12.0 mph and my max speed was 21.5 mph when I was going down a steep short hill around the 7.3 mile point. The trails were not very busy today but there was one spot where a number of people were bunched together. I was passed by one serious road biker around the 15.3 mile mark. November miles have increased to 374.22 and year to date I am at 5357.12 miles. With tomorrow being Thanksgiving Day I will not be biking but I hope to bike on Friday. Saturday will probably not be biking day because a major cold wave is supposed to arrive with cold and rain.

The other day I was reading an article on Cyclingnews.com about this woman who has experienced a miracle. Her name is Monique van der Vorst. When she as 13 she became disabled and could use her legs. She went on to become a world class handcycle athlete. Last year she was training for the 2012 Olympics and was hit by a bicycle. During her rehabilitation she regained the use of her legs. She now is training and will race with the Rabobank women’s team this year. She has much to be thankful for as my family and I do as well. God has blessed my family as He has done for Monique. Have a great Thanksgiving Day.

The picture is from the River Grove Park looking out on the San Jacinto River as it passes the boat ramp. Notice all of the growth in the water from when the water level was almost gone during the drought.

River Grove Park

11-23-2011 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

Link to my Garmin Connect activity and data. Link to my RideWithGPS.com activity report and map.

11-23-2011 Home Weather End