Overnight a cool front moved through southeast Texas dropping the temperature down to 58 degrees when I got up this morning at 6:45. The forecast called for a high of 74. While I waited for that to happen I watched stage 1 of the Tour de Romandie on BeInsport on Dish. I also did a little yard work and that is when I noticed the wind was blowing strong with a chill in it. The temperature finally got up to 71 or 72 around noon and I rolled out the driveway at 12:12.

It didn’t take long for me to doubt my wardrobe choice of a long sleeve jersey and shorts. I circled back home which I rarely do to add a short sleeve jersey on top of the long sleeve one. This helped even though the shade was chilly. The wind didn’t help either coming out of the NW at 15 mph gusting to 23 mph.

After biking to Huffman 2 days in a row it was time to go north. I chose the New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch route which put me into the wind almost the whole time until I reached Roman Forest Blvd and turned south. I was slogging along on Loop 494 between the White Oak Cemetery and the bridge when another bicyclist came along side me going the same direction and said it was like riding in a wind tunnel. I agreed and he slowly pulled away from me. I kept in sight until he turned left onto Antique Lane almost to New Caney. The wind was a constant with a few breaks whenever I got behind some trees. When I approached the FM1485 intersection with Loop 494 there were some construction warning signs and as I rode past FM1485 I could see the asphalt grinder removing the road surface in the west bound lane about 1/2 a mile away. Looks like the great weather is helping speed this along.

I took a short rest before going under US59 at Roman Forest Blvd. to get a drink of water. Prior to that there was a section on Loop 494 where the trees were so tall that the wind couldn’t get to me. When I rode out of the protection the wind came back to life. Going south on the service road I was able to make up some of the speed I lost getting there, hitting 20+ mph. Turning into Valley Ranch I was back in a headwind until I made the left onto Valley Ranch Parkway. The legs slowed down when the wind applied the resistance.

Stopping at Stripes I found a warm spot out of the wind to eat a snack and drink a Diet Pepsi. Leaving Stripes I had a tailwind for about 7 miles before entering Kingwood and winding around the streets.

By the time I finished the ride at 3:02 the wind dropped down a little to 9 mph gusting 24 mph from the NNW. The temperature showed 76 but it didn’t feel like it because of the wind.

I biked 33.05 miles and manged a 15.2 mph average speed. Today wraps up April and I surpassed my goal by almost 99 miles riding 877.19 miles. I biked 26 days out of 30 averaging 33.7 miles per ride. The week stands at 103.05 miles and 2137 miles year to date. I am pleased with where I am so far. Retirement is good for biking!!! May will not be near as much with the vacation we are taking.

[wppa type=”slide” album=”321″ size=”auto”][/wppa]

[iframe http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/490338529 465px 548px]

[iframe http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2561789/embed 90% 700px]