No breakfast taco at Stripes today when I stopped for a rest break. They were cleaning out the steam table and I was glad I brought a Kashi trail mix bar and cookies. Before I got to Stripes I was debating whether I should get a breakfast taco but the decision was made for me. I rode to the north to New Caney and then Gene Campbell Road. I was planning on biking the usual route but at Stripes I thought about how to add a couple of miles to the route. Instead of going south I went to the north from Stripes on Valley Ranch Parkway and then through Forest Colony to the US59 south service road. From there I went south to Auburn Trails subdivision and went west to Oakhurst. Normally when I ride through Auburn Trails it is the opposite direction so I had to think a little bit about the turns to take to go out to Briar Circle and onto Oakhurst. I don’t remember riding this particular route before. I accomplished my goal and the ride was 40.66 miles. I averaged 15.7 mph aided by a WNW 6 mph breeze. There did seem to be any headwind most of the time probably because this route has a lot of trees. FM1314 is the most open and the traffic offset the breeze as I rode to the SE.

I managed to miss all but one of the school dismissals. That was one reason I went through Forest Colony rather than Briar Tree. Forest Colony has no schools while Briar Tree has two. The one I got caught in was Bear Branch Elementary in Kingwood. I was stopped by the traffic and another bicyclist pulled up on my left. He asked if this was a good or bad time and I said bad time. When the traffic moved he rode ahead as I made my way through some of the cars.

Today’s weather was warmer than yesterday. I rolled out the driveway at 12:15 with 74 degrees and an overcast sky. I wore a short sleeve jersey over a long sleeve jersey and bike shorts. The sun was getting through the overcast enough for it to feel warmer than yesterday. I think the wind direction had something to do with it. I got home at 3:31 with the sky still overcast but the temperature at 80, like the forecast called for. Another favorable thing is the humidity has been low since the cool front went past. It was 23% when I finished today’s ride.

The Stradalli RP-14 continues to be a joy to ride. I like the Bar Fly 2.0 addition. It moves the Garmin Edge 510 out front of the handlebar and my shadow so I can read it better. I don’t have to glance down so far from looking at the road ahead. The Schwalbe and Continental Gatorskin tire combination is performing smoothly. The wider rear tire *700 x 25) does not feel like it has more resistance than the front 700 x 23 Schwalbe. My pedaling effort seems to be be stronger on the Stradalli than the Motobecane. My position on the bike is not as stretched on the Stradalli.

May miles increased to 64.28. tomorrow I want to ride at least 36 miles to put May at 100 or more. For the week I rode 167.33 miles and year to date 2201 miles.

Tomorrow the forecast is for 88 degrees and clear. I look forward to the warmth.

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