The two reasons I selected today’s route was to ride at least 40 miles (I actually rode 41.27 miles) and to see what was happening at the new Grand Texas theme park that is supposed to be under construction at the intersection of SR 242 and US59 on the west side.

To vary the ride a little I exited Kingwood on Mills Branch Drive and Ford Road. Since I found the new exit through Woodridge Forest I haven’t used the Mills Branch route. The last time was January 11th of this year. Traffic is not that heavy on Mills Branch/Ford Road during the day. This also takes a couple of miles from routes when I go this way. Today I figured the 2 miles short would not cause me to bike less than my 40 mile target.

Once I reached Loop 494 and headed north the wind pushed me along nicely. Intervals 2 through 3 averaged 17.9 to 18.4 mph which built a cushion for when I hit the headwind on FM1314 going east and south on US59 back to Kingwood Drive before getting into Kingwood and home. Overall I averaged 16.1 mph which is surprising given the SSE 15 mph wind and 21 mph gusts. I wondered if the higher profile rims on the Stradalli would present any problems with the wind and I did not notice any. If anything they cut through the wind better than the Mavic rims on my Motobecane Le Champion CF. Intervals 6 and 7 were straight into the wind most of the time and I still averaged 15.1 mph. Maybe new bike excitement added the power.

On SR 242 west of US59 I came across the first big patch of Indian Paintbrush wildflowers I’ve seen this year. Next weekend I plan on riding the LBJ 100 in Stonewall, TX and the bluebonnets should be out in force.

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With the overcast sky it did not get overly warm with 75 when I started at 12:45 and 77 when I got back home at 3:56. I took a break at the Stripes station on FM1314 at Valley Ranch Parkway to recover from riding into the wind since I got onto FM1314 at Village Way and Old Houston Road. This stretch was almost directly into the wind and except for the trees and parallel traffic I probably would’ve rode much slower.

I continue to be impressed with the Stradalli RP-14 Carbon bike. This is the first bike in ages where the saddle that came with the bike is comfortable enough to keep. It is a Prologo Scratch. I bought a new Camelbak Podium waterbottle that is red and black accents to go with the bike colors.

Yesterday was a rest day. I took my wife to the medical center and then watched the University of Cincinnati Bearcats fall to Harvard in the NCAA basketball tournament. I should have went for a ride since the weather was beautiful. Maybe the Bearcats will go further next season.

I am making progress on the March mileage goal. I stand at 372.98 miles with 132.02 left to reach 505 miles. This week I biked 109.22 miles and 1078 miles year to date. The weather looks favorable for biking tomorrow but Sunday and Monday could be wet and cooler.

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