Today was 5 rides in a row. This is rarity so far this year. Today’s 32.15 mile ride to the south and east brought my February mileage up to 218.78. Last week I was doubtful about reaching the 370 mile goal but I think it is possible now with 151 miles to go. Year to date increased to 548 miles. I averaged 15.4 mph today.

I rode to Huffman going through Atascocita and Walden. As I crossed Lake Houston on the FM1960 causeway I caught up with the sweeper crew. They were picking up big trash and the gravel from the recent cold weather. As I approached I could see a dust cloud in front of the sweeper from the very dry gravel. The sweeper filled the shoulder lane and I moved over to the next left lane to go around. With over a mile left to the east side of the causeway I rode through the gravel like last week. I was hoping by the time I returned on the west bound side later in the ride they would be working there or finished. No such luck. Thankfully there was a 2 wide path just left of the white stripe marking the shoulder where I could ride most of the way across. As I got to the west side the pile of gravel still was in my way so I rode through that.

When I walked out of the house to start the ride at 12:44 the north sky looked threatening gray. The radar did not show any rain and the forecast said a 40% chance. This meant my rule “if it isn’t raining ride” kicked in and off I went. Every once in awhile the sun would break through the cloud cover and it felt good. The temperature when I started was 77 and dropped to 75 when I finished at 3:29. I skipped the windbreaker and wore a short sleeve jersey over a red long sleeve one. Occasionally I felt coolness especially riding over Lake Houston where the 7 mph breeze brought the cool water temperature across the roadway.

The leg muscles are doing much better today. Last night when I got up from the recliner my sore legs let me know this wasn’t something they wanted to. Sleep helped reduce the soreness too.

The coming week’s weather looks promising for biking until Thursday when rain is forecast.

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